Ringing results

31st October 2018 – overcast/light rain SE3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) revealed 162 Razorbill, 39 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes were limited to a few Blackbird.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Greenshank and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock remained steady at 30 birds and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Ringing
The best month of the year with finches and sparrows, as usual at this time of the year, dominating the totals which involved 920 birds of 22 species. Individual species totals were as follows (recaptures in brackets): Tree Sparrow 248, (1), Goldfinch 224, (24), Chaffinch 104, Blackbird 66, (1), House Sparrow 57, (8), Dunnock 25, (2), Goldcrest 23, Greenfinch 21, (1), Coal Tit 21, Blue Tit 16, Song Thrush 15, (1), Wren 14, Lesser Redpoll 11, Robin 6, (2), Redwing 6, Great Tit 6, Chiffchaff 5, Long-tailed Tit 4, Blackcap 4, Reed Bunting 2, Sparrowhawk 1 and Treecreeper 1.
Ringing Totals
1707/34, 203/17, 9/5, 3/2.

American Wigeon remains

30th October 2018 – early rain then sunny spells N1
Rarities
The drake American Wigeon was amongst 600 Wigeon on the pools at South Walney throughout the morning before flighting out onto the estuary on the flooding tide early afternoon.
Offshore
A group of 10 Shag were offshore early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 23 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush and 3 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A Snow Bunting was the highlight of a much reduced passage which included 16 Tree Sparrow, 10 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 2 Brambling and a Rock Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The male and female Scaup remain and additional wildfowl included 187 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 39 Pintail and 4 Shoveler. Waders included 7 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock has increased to 30 birds and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Butterflies
A few Red Admiral remain on the wing.

American Wigeon & Bearded Tit

29th October 2018 – bright and sunny ENE3
Rarities
A drake American Wigeon was amongst 300 Wigeon at Snab Point over the high tide. The male Bearded Tit was again in a small reed bed at South Walney early morning before appearing to fly off high to the north.
Offshore
A group of 7 Shag were offshore early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 100 Blackbird, 21 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 4 Fieldfare and 2 Mistle Thrush. Additional sightings were limited to a single Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Visible migration included 900 Jackdaw, 265 Pink-footed Goose, 220 Starling, 14 Chaffinch, 14 Tree Sparrow, 10 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 4 Whooper Swan, 4 Greenfinch and single Lesser Redpoll and Rock Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included a male and female Scaup, 41 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 23 Pintail and 4 Shoveler. Waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Single Barn Owl, Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Images
American Wigeon.

Bearded Tit, Woodcock & Jack Snipe

28th October 2018 – bright and sunny N1 the NNE3/4
Rarities
A male Bearded Tit was again in the small reed bed in the central marsh at South Walney early morning before appearing to fly off high to the east.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 125 Blackbird, 44 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 3 Fieldfare and 2 Mistle Thrush. Additional sightings were limited to a single Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Visible migration included 2150 Jackdaw, 350 Starling, 115 Pink-footed Goose, 100 Chaffinch, 20 Tree Sparrow, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Whooper Swan, 9 Brambling and 3 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included a pair of Scaup amongst 13 Goldeneye and waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Woodcock and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
Four Twite were the best of the rest.
Butterflies
Several Red Admiral remain on the wing.

Short-eared Owl

27th October 2018 – bright and sunny N3/4
Offshore
The sea provided a solitary Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 120 Redwing, 11 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 5 Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush. Additional sightings were limited to 3 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Passage included 900 Jackdaw, 175 Pink-footed Goose, 54 Tree Sparrow, 32 Chaffinch, 31 Brambling, 20 Coal Tit, 8 Blue Tit, 6 Siskin, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Whooper Swan and a Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 157 pale-bellied birds and 18 Pintail and 2 Greenshank were also logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance and birds of prey involved 4 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Merlin and single Buzzard, Barn Owl and Short-eared Owl.

Long-tailed Duck

26th October 2018 – sunny/early showers NNW4
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0800-0900) were led by a female/first-winter Long-tailed Duck. Also seen were 34 Common Scoter, 24 Razorbill, 10 Gannet, 5 Kittiwake, 3 Whooper Swan, 2 Guillemot, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Goldeneye.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to the long-staying Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move including 800 Jackdaw and 40 Pink-footed Goose.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 89 pale-bellied birds and 9 Whooper Swan were grounded. Waders included 600 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
A total of 14 Twite were logged and a Merlin was the best of the rest.

Goosanders

25th October 2018 – overcast/drizzle at times WNW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0800-0900) were led by two Goosanders. Also seen were 76 Razorbill, 56 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 3 Goldcrest and the long-staying Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move including 21 Whooper Swan, 5 Siskin, 3 Reed Bunting and a Mistle Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 40 pale-bellied birds and waders included 3000 Oystercatcher and 3 Black-tailed Godwit
Miscellaneous
A small group of 11 Twite and single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Velvet Scoter

24th October 2018 – overcast WNW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0800-0900) were led by a female Velvet Scoter. Also seen were 51 Common Scoter, 23 Razorbill, 8 Kittiwake and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 2 Lesser Redpoll and single Chiffchaff and Tree Sparrow.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Scaup was logged and waders included 400 Sanderling.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 4 Twite were the best of the rest.

Great Northern Diver reappears

23rd October 2018 – overcast NW5
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0800-0900) were led by a Great Northern Diver. Also seen were 150 Razorbill, 85 Common Scoter, 5 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Great Crested Grebe.
Grounded Migrants
A Chiffchaff was the only grounded bird logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 114 pale-bellied birds and additional wildfowl included 21 Pintail and 2 Goldeneye – the latter the first of the autumn. Waders included 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin were the best of the rest.

Diurnal migration dominates

22nd October 2018 – sunny spells/calm then WNW3/4
Offshore
A group of 10 Shag were offshore early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 3 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 2 Mistle Thrush. Additional sightings were limited to single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Calm conditions at dawn saw a few birds on the move including 800 Jackdaw, 60 Tree Sparrow, 35 Chaffinch, 20 Reed Bunting, 13 Twite, 10 Skylark, 10 Greenfinch, 6 Whooper Swan, 5 Brambling, 2 Siskin and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Shoveler were seen and waders included 2 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Single Water Rail, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Moths
A White-speck was new for the year.

Quiet day

21st October 2018 – overcast/murk/drizzle SW4
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (0830-0930) produced 105 Razorbill, 82 Common Scoter, 12 Kittiwake, 6 Red-throated Diver, 6 Gannet and 5 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Chiffchaff.
Wildfowl and Waders
Just 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese were recorded.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
Immigrants attracted to the moth trap involved a Dark Sword-grass.

Great Northern Diver

20th October 2018 – overcast/murk/drizzle SSE2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0800-0900) were led by a Great Northern Diver amongst 630 Razorbill, 85 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Guillemot and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 8 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing and a Mistle Thrush. Also seen were 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and a Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Five Whooper Swan and 2 Lesser Redpoll were the highlights of a quiet morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Moths
A Pearly Underwing was new for the year.

Arctic Skua

19th October 2018 – sunny spells S3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0845) revealed 44 Common Scoter, 28 Razorbill, 3 Shag, 3 Guillemot, 2 Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved single Redwing, Fieldfare and Song Thrush, additional sightings were limited to 2 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Noticeably quieter than of late with just 54 Jackdaw, 50 Meadow Pipit, 22 Skylark, 12 Tree Sparrow, 5 Whooper Swan, 3 Swallow, 2 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and single Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin and a Peregrine were the best of the rest while at least 80 Little Egret remain along the eastern shore.

First Twite of the autumn

18th October 2018 – bright and sunny/early light frost NE1
Rarities
The male Bearded Tit was again in the small reedbed by the central marsh hide at South Walney.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 80 Redwing, 10 Song Thrush and 2 Fieldfare, additional sightings were limited to 2 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Visible migration was dominated by 3000 Jackdaw in four flocks with numerous other sightings through the morning as the flocks fragmented. However, highlights involved a Hooded Crow and a female/juvenile Marsh Harrier which headed south at 1500hrs. Additional sightings included 695 Pink-footed Goose, 180 Meadow Pipit, 78 Tree Sparrow, 45 Skylark, 27 Linnet, 26 Carrion Crow, 20 Reed Bunting, 19 Whooper Swan, 15 Brambling, 14 Swallow, 12 Twite, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin and single Rook, Coal Tit, Rock Pipit and Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
A herd of 13 Whooper Swan were grounded and waders included 4 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail and Buzzard were the best of the rest. Four Jay and 2 Raven brought the corvid species day total for the island to seven.
Butterflies and Moths
A few Red Admiral are still on the wing in the afternoon sunshine and moths attracted overnight involved Red-line Quaker, Angle Shades and Large Wainscot.

Bearded Tit remains

17th October 2018 – early showers then sunny spells NW2/3
Rarities
The male Bearded Tit is still in the small reedbed by the central marsh hide at South Walney.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea produced 38 Razorbill, 6 Common Scoter and 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 3 Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush, additional sightings were limited to 4 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Movement included 1430 Jackdaw, 70 Tree Sparrow, 30 Meadow Pipit, 23 Carrion Crow, 20 Chaffinch, 5 Siskin, 3 Brambling and 3 Rock Pipit .
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 11 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail, 2 Merlin and a Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A few Red Admiral are still on the wing in the afternoon sunshine and moths attracted overnight included Red-green Carpet.

Migration stalls

16th October 2018 – overcast/rain at times SSE4
Offshore
A dawn check of the sea revealed a congregation of 16 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were limited to 3 Tree Sparrow, 2 Redwing and single Fieldfare and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Only single Swallow and Grey Wagtail were logged.

Bearded Tit

15th October 2018 – bright and sunny NE1
Rarities
A male Bearded Tit was in the small reedbed by the central marsh hide at South Walney.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 38 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush and 4 Blackbird additional sightings included 16 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 4 Coal Tit and 2 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Migration was again prominent with 800 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Jackdaw, 240 Starling, 130 Tree Sparrow, 30 Meadow Pipit, 20 Skylark, 20 Chaffinch, 3 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and a Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup remains and waders included 15 Greenshank and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail and single Merlin and Barn Owl were the best of the rest.

Migration resumes

14th October 2018 – overcast/sunny later/calm
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 4 Redwing, additional sightings included 20 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move with the first 2 Brambling of the autumn amongst 1175 Starling, 210 Meadow Pipit, 105 Swallow, 60 Skylark, 30 Pied Wagtail, 35v Linnet, 17 Lesser Redpoll, 11 Reed Bunting and single Siskin, Tree Sparrow and Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup remains and waders included 4 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Small Copper, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell were all on the wing in the afternoon sunshine and moths attracted overnight included Satellite and Red-line Quaker.

Even Wetter!

13th October 2018 – rain, heavy at times SE2/3/4
Grounded Migrants
Four Redwing were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Despite the torrential rain 4 Whooper Swan flew through.

Wet and windy

12th October 2018 – overcast/rain at times SE4/5/6 gusting to 52mph
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0800-0900) produced 67 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 5 Shoveler, 4 Red-throated Diver and 3 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Redwing and single Blackcap, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 106 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 15 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Yellowhammer, Fieldfare and Redwing

11th October 2018 – murky start then sunny spells/rain later SSE4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea in poor visibility revealed just 10 Common Scoter and 7 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Still sparse with just 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and a Coal Tit.
Diurnal Migration
Early morning saw the first winter thrushes involving 18 Redwing and a Fieldfare, however, a Yellowhammer was the highlight. Also seen were 4 Siskin, 2 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Tree Sparrow.
Wildfowl and Waders
90 pale-bellied Brent Geese were amongst 600 Wigeon, the drake Scaup remains and waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit.

More visible migration

10th October 2018 – bright and sunny SSE4
Offshore
A quick glance over the sea revealed a single Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A Treecreeper was amongst 4 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
The skies again provided the bulk of the days records with 1760 Pink-footed Goose, 280 Meadow Pipit, 190 Linnet, 80 Skylark, 30 Pied Wagtail, 16 Tree Sparrow, 15 Reed Bunting, 5 Rock Pipit, 3 Swallow and 2 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup remains in residence and waders included 8000 Oystercatcher, 6 Greenshank and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Buzzard hunted over the island.
Butterflies and Moths
A few Red Admiral remain on the wing.

Great Skua

9th October 2018 – overcast SSW4/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0800-0900) produced 34 Common Scoter, 21 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Gannet, 5 Razorbill and a Great Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Again a Chiffchaff was the only bird logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Scaup continues to linger and waders included 12 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.

Brent Geese continue to build

8th October 2018 – overcast SW4/5
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0745-0845) revealed 100 Razorbill, 60 Common Scoter, 27 Gannet, 9 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Only a single Chiffchaff was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 106 pale-bellied and 5 dark-bellied birds, the Scaup remains and waders include 14 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Razorbills on the move

7th October 2018 – overcast ESE1 then SW4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (1130-1230) revealed that a large movement of Razorbill was underway with 1452 birds logged. Also seen were 27 Common Scoter, 23 Kittiwake, 18 Gannet, 10 Guillemot and 8 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Just 7 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Some movement was evident in the first hour after dawn with 60 Meadow Pipit, 30 Pied Wagtail, 26 Tree Sparrow, 25 Skylark, 24 Pink-footed Goose, 21 Chaffinch, 10 Linnet and 4 Grey Wagtail logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup was again present and waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow was amongst 100 Jackdaw, 8 Rook and 4 Carrion Crow.
Moths
A Dark Sword-grass was attracted overnight.

Diurnal movement continues to dominate

6th October 2018 – overcast/sunny later N1 the NW2/3
Offshore
Casual observations saw 3 Shag and a Red-throated Diver logged.
Grounded Migrants
Still thin on the ground with 10 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap recorded.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning involved 1450 Pink-footed Goose, 575 Skylark, 354 Meadow Pipit, 345 Pied Wagtail, 137 Swallow, 75 Linnet, 12 Jackdaw, 10 Carrion Crow, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Reed Bunting, 4 Grey Wagtail and single Siskin and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Merlin were seen.
Moths
Pink-barred Sallow and Sallow were both new for the year.

Buzzard headlines

5th October 2018 – early rain clearing N1
Grounded Migrants
Little evidence of many newly grounded birds with just 3 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Buzzard circled the centre of the island and 24 Pink-footed Geese and 12 Whooper Swan were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The number of Little Egret on the island continues to increase with a pre-roost gathering of 80 birds logged.

Hooded Crow

4th October 2018 – overcast/rain at times WSW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0930-1130) produced 75 Razorbill, 41 Gannet, 40 Common Scoter, 37 Kittiwake and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Only a solitary Goldcrest was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 56 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 15 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven and a Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Moths
The Brick was new for the year.

Latish Manx Shearwater

3rd October 2018 – overcast WNW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) produced 60 Common Scoter, 42 Razorbill, 9 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver and single Manx Shearwater and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Just 11 Swallow and single Grey Wagtail and Tree Sparrow were recorded .
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 30 Golden Plover and 2 Greenshank.
Moths
A Large Wainscot was new for the year.

Leach’s Petrel

2nd October 2018 – sunny spells WNW4/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0800-1000) were led by a Leach’s Petrel amongst 80 Common Scoter, 13 Red-throated Diver, 8 Gannet, 7 Razorbill and a Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Meadow Pipit battled through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 15 Greenshank.
Butterflies
Red Admiral and Comma were seen.

Visible migration again dominates

1st October 2018 – bright start/cloudy later N1
Grounded Migrants
Clear skies at dawn and consequently grounded birds were limited to a single Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Visible migration continues to be the most productive element with 600 Meadow Pipit, 160 Skylark, 68 Pied Wagtail, 50 Chaffinch, 45 Tree Sparrow, 10 Greenfinch, 3 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Mistle Thrush logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup is still in residence and waders included 14 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 3 Raven were the best of the rest.