Water Pipit again

27th February 2017 – bright and sunny SW3
Rarities
The latest round of high tides again pushed a single Water Pipit from the salt marsh. The bird was feeding late afternoon in the flooded horse paddocks along Biggar Bank with 12 Meadow Pipit.

Great Northern Diver reappears

26th February 2017 – overcast/rain at times S5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0730-0830) produced 16 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet. A Great Northern Diver and Shag were off the sheltered eastern shore on the rising tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 349 pale-bellied and 37 dark-bellied birds. The 3 female Scaup remain and waders included 11000 Knot, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 25 Twite remain.

A few more Twite

25th February 2017 – overcast/rain at times SW6
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed little other than 7 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 345 pale-bellied and 30 dark-bellied birds while waders included 5000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 25 Twite were logged.

Scaup remain

24th February 2017 – bright and sunny SW3
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was the first of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 female Scaup remain and a Woodcock was logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 22 Little Egret remain, a Water Rail squealed and 10 Twite were recorded.

First Gannet of the year

19th February 2017 – overcast/drizzle/mist SW2
Offshore
Early morning observations before the weather closed in (0730-0830) produced 46 Common Scoter, 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Red-throated Diver, 6 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake and the first Gannet of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Further hints of spring were provided by 3 Great Tit and single Chaffinch and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 10 Shoveler were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.

Further signs of spring

18th February 2017 – overcast SW2/3
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea produced just 6 Shag, 3 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Three Fieldfare were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 61 Pink-footed Geese headed north as did 2 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 300 pale-bellied and 89 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail and 25 Twite were the best of the rest.
Ringing
At least nine colour-ringed birds were amongst the Brent Goose flock including birds ringed in Canada, Iceland, Northern Ireland and The Netherlands.

First Harbingers of spring!

17th February 2017 – overcast SE1
Offshore
A pre-roost gathering of 16 Shag were seen and a total of 5040 Eider were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Barnacle Geese and the three long-staying female Scaup are still in residence. Waders included 4 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
After being noticeably absent through the winter the first wave of Lesser Black-backed Gulls have returned.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins

12th February 2017 – overcast/cold NE5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced A Goosander amongst 47 Red-breasted Merganser along with 41 Razorbill, 12 Red-throated Diver and 7 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 70 Pintail and 12 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
At least 43 Little Egret remain and a Merlin was logged.
Mammals
A pod of 24 Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.

Wildfowl and Waders

11th February 2017 – overcast/cold N3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0820-0920) produced 32 Common Scoter, 13 Razorbill, 10 Red-breasted Merganser and 9 Red-throated Diver. Later the ebbing tide added 12 Shag and a Great Northern Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush provided a hint of cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 334 pale-bellied and 28 dark-bellied birds, also seen were 4 Barnacle Geese, 3 Scaup and a redhead Goosander. Waders were well represented with 5200 Knot, 1365 Redshank, 250 Grey Plover, 220 Turnstone, 10 Purple Sandpiper, 10 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit amongst the species logged.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.

Water Pipit remains

5th February 2017 – sun and showers S1
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded horse field at Biggar.
Offshore
A group of 8 Shag were logged along with small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 14 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Another Water Pipit

4th February 2017 – early heavy showers SE3
Rarities
A Water Pipit was with 2 Pied Wagtail and single Grey Wagtail and Meadow Pipit in the flooded horse field at Biggar .
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) provided 71 Common Scoter, 22 Red-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake and 5 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Barnacle Goose flock held 38 birds and the 3 female Scaup remain. Waders included 6 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 43 Little Egret remain and a Tree Sparrow was the best of the rest.

Winter doldrums

3rd February 2017 – overcast/rain later SE3
Offshore
A check of the sea provided just 6 Common and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 167 pale-bellied and 89 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 7000 Knot..
Miscellaneous
A Sparrowhawk was the best of the rest.