28th February 2023 – overcast NE1/2
Offshore
Another early morning check of the sea again revealed little of note other than 22 Red-breasted Merganser, 18 Common Scoter and 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Again a few newly arrived Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 200 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Pied Wagtail flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Cormorant was seen, initial enquires suggest it has originated from the Isle of Man.
Scaup remains
27th February 2023 – sunny spells NE2
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea revealed little of note other than 4 Shag and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again a few newly arrived Stonechat, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were logged as the first hints of migration continue.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 820 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea revealed little of note other than 4 Shag and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again a few newly arrived Stonechat, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were logged as the first hints of migration continue.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 820 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Black Guillemot and Twite
26th February 2023 – sunny spells NNE1/2
Offshore
A Black Guillemot was amongst 25 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again a Redwing was logged and a few newly arrived Stonechat, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 510 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 55 Twite and single Merlin and Peregrine were logged.
Ringing
A Greenfinch was controlled and a Song Thrush from 2019 was recaptured
Butterflies and Moths
A Dotted Border was the first species attracted to the light trap overnight.
Offshore
A Black Guillemot was amongst 25 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again a Redwing was logged and a few newly arrived Stonechat, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 510 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 55 Twite and single Merlin and Peregrine were logged.
Ringing
A Greenfinch was controlled and a Song Thrush from 2019 was recaptured
Butterflies and Moths
A Dotted Border was the first species attracted to the light trap overnight.
Further hints of movement
25th February 2023 – sunny spells NNE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged and a few newly arrived Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 16 Pink-footed Geese flew through and a Pied Wagtail was seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains. Waders included 5 Greenshank, 2 Woodcock and 2 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Barn Owl hunted at dawn.
Ringing
It was pleasing to recapture 2 Greenfinch that had been previously ringed in 2018 and one from 2019, perhaps suggesting that the population is now beginning to show signs of recovery.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged and a few newly arrived Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 16 Pink-footed Geese flew through and a Pied Wagtail was seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains. Waders included 5 Greenshank, 2 Woodcock and 2 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Barn Owl hunted at dawn.
Ringing
It was pleasing to recapture 2 Greenfinch that had been previously ringed in 2018 and one from 2019, perhaps suggesting that the population is now beginning to show signs of recovery.
Hints of movement
23rd February 2023 – bright and sunny, light frost/calm
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged and a few Greenfinch and Chaffinch were evident.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 9 Barnacle Geese flew through and 2 Siskin were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
At least 8 Raven and 15 Twite were logged along with single Hooded Crow, Water Rail and Merlin.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged and a few Greenfinch and Chaffinch were evident.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 9 Barnacle Geese flew through and 2 Siskin were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
At least 8 Raven and 15 Twite were logged along with single Hooded Crow, Water Rail and Merlin.
Another diverse selection
21st February 2023 – dense fog then mizzle at times SW1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea once the fog cleared produced 27 Common Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Shag and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Two more Stonechat were logged and 11 Blackbird included newly arrived birds.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 50 Barnacle Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains. Waders included 1550 Dunlin, 1300 Knot, 1190 Redshank, 590 Lapwing, 324 Golden Plover, 152 Sanderling, 50 Snipe, 6 Greenshank, 4 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Single Water Rail, Hooded Crow, Peregrine and Merlin were logged.
Offshore
A check of the sea once the fog cleared produced 27 Common Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Shag and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Two more Stonechat were logged and 11 Blackbird included newly arrived birds.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 50 Barnacle Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains. Waders included 1550 Dunlin, 1300 Knot, 1190 Redshank, 590 Lapwing, 324 Golden Plover, 152 Sanderling, 50 Snipe, 6 Greenshank, 4 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Single Water Rail, Hooded Crow, Peregrine and Merlin were logged.
A diverse selection
19th February 2023 – overcast WSW3/4
Grounded Migrants
Two Stonechat were perhaps further harbingers of spring.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 60 Pink-footed Geese headed north early morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 379 light-bellied and 82 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 4 Woodcock and a Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A varied selection included 7 Raven, 7 Goldcrest, 3 Jay and single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Hooded Crow, Merlin and Peregrine.
Grounded Migrants
Two Stonechat were perhaps further harbingers of spring.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 60 Pink-footed Geese headed north early morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 379 light-bellied and 82 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 4 Woodcock and a Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A varied selection included 7 Raven, 7 Goldcrest, 3 Jay and single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Hooded Crow, Merlin and Peregrine.
A quiet day
18th February 2023 – overcast/showers WSW4/5
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) produced just 4 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
Miscellaneous
Finch flocks involved 40 Linnet and 25 Twite and a Merlin was seen.
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) produced just 4 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
Miscellaneous
Finch flocks involved 40 Linnet and 25 Twite and a Merlin was seen.
Woodcock and Buzzard arrive
14th February 2023 – overcast/murky ESE3
Grounded Migrants
Two Stonechat were perhaps harbingers of spring.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and 2 Goosander, 2 Woodcock and 2 Greenshank were also seen.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 50 birds while single Hooded Crow, Buzzard and Merlin were also logged.
Grounded Migrants
Two Stonechat were perhaps harbingers of spring.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and 2 Goosander, 2 Woodcock and 2 Greenshank were also seen.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 50 birds while single Hooded Crow, Buzzard and Merlin were also logged.
Pink-footed Geese head north
13th February 2023 – overcast /murky NE2/3
Diurnal Migration
A total of 560 Pink-footed Geese headed north early morning.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 560 Pink-footed Geese headed north early morning.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence.
Scaup and Hooded Crow
12th February 2023 – overcast /calm
Grounded Migrants
Not often considered a migrant, a Great Tit newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence with at least one hybrid and a Water Rail was seen.
Grounded Migrants
Not often considered a migrant, a Great Tit newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence with at least one hybrid and a Water Rail was seen.
Scaup remains
11th February 2023 – overcast W1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced 30 Shag, 8 Red-breasted Merganser and 7 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Not often considered a migrant, 3 Blue Tit were newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence and 4 Raven was seen.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced 30 Shag, 8 Red-breasted Merganser and 7 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Not often considered a migrant, 3 Blue Tit were newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence and 4 Raven was seen.
A sad day
9th February 2023 – bright and sunny W2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced 40 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake, and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup was amongst 20 Red-breasted Merganser and 16 Goldeneye.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence and a Tree Sparrow was seen.
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Max Scattergood. A former treasurer of the observatory and an enthusiastic member of the ringing team, his many stories of life will be truly missed. A short ringing session in his memory produced 2 Greenfinch and a Woodpigeon.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced 40 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake, and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup was amongst 20 Red-breasted Merganser and 16 Goldeneye.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence and a Tree Sparrow was seen.
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Max Scattergood. A former treasurer of the observatory and an enthusiastic member of the ringing team, his many stories of life will be truly missed. A short ringing session in his memory produced 2 Greenfinch and a Woodpigeon.
Marsh Harrier
5th February 2023 – sunny spells SE1/2
Offshore
A group of 17 Sag were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 370 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included the female Scaup, 86 dark and 110 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 81 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
The female Marsh Harrier continues to hunt the island.
Offshore
A group of 17 Sag were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 370 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included the female Scaup, 86 dark and 110 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 81 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
The female Marsh Harrier continues to hunt the island.
Woodcock and Barn Owl
4th February 2023 – overcast SW1/2
Diurnal Migration
A total of 110 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Fieldfare and a Stock Dove flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Purple Sandpiper and 3 Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Jay and a Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 110 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Fieldfare and a Stock Dove flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Purple Sandpiper and 3 Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Jay and a Water Rail were the best of the rest.
A quiet start to the month
3rd February 2023 – overcast/mizzle/mist WSW3/4
Offshore
A Shag was along the sheltered eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains in residence amongst 12 Goldeneye and 2 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Single Hooded Crow, 20 Twite and a wintering Blackcap were the best of the rest.
Offshore
A Shag was along the sheltered eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains in residence amongst 12 Goldeneye and 2 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Single Hooded Crow, 20 Twite and a wintering Blackcap were the best of the rest.
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