Pied Flycatcher headlines new arrivals

30th April 2007 - bright and sunny E 4/5
Offshore
Early morning (0720-0820) produced more activity than of late. Sightings included 7 Red-throated Diver, 20 Gannet, 2 Barnacle Geese, 15 Common Scoter, 205 Arctic Tern and 100 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Although highlighted by a Pied Flycatcher, other birds logged included 53 Wheatear - with ringing suggesting that the majority are now Greenland birds, 12 Willow Warbler and single White Wagtail, Whinchat and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Merlin was perhaps a late overwintering bird but a light passage of Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin was noted.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Ruff continues to linger and a total of 32 Whimbrel were logged.
Moths
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, Silver-ground Carpet and Herald attracted to the MV light overnight were new additions for 2007.
Image
Pied Flycatcher

Another Marsh Harrier flies through

29th April 2007-bright and sunny E 4/5

Offshore

Another quiet day, early morning sightings were limited to 60 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Shag.

Grounded Migrants

An increase to 70 Wheatear, along with 10 Willow Warbler, 2 White Wagtail and single Grasshopper Warbler and Whinchat indicated further new arrivals. The number of territorial Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler present on the island continues to rise and a minimum 14 Lesser Whitethroat are also present - record numbers. The Hooded Crow remains, albeit elusively.

Diurnal Migration

The second Marsh Harrier of the year flew through mid-afternoon and just a light Swallow passage was noted.

Wildfowl and Waders

Single drake Pintail and Shoveler remain, a total of 34 Whimbrel were seen, at least five Purple Sandpiper and the single Ruff remain while 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper were new in.

Moths

A Streamer becomes just the second island record following a singleton in 1991.

Images

Top - Ruff, Bottom - Streamer.

Wood Warbler heads new arrivals

28th April 2007 - bright and sunny, some cloud later NE 4/5
Offshore
Highlights of a seawatch on the rising tide (0815-0915) were few with just 20 Common Scoter, 3 Arctic Tern and 2 Red-throated Diver amongst small numbers of Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill and Sandwich Tern. Low tide provided 100 Sandwich Tern, 35 Common Scoter, 3 Shag and a single Arctic Tern, all feeding close inshore.
Grounded Migrants
A Wood Warbler singing from the tallest trees on the island was the highlight of today's new arrivals which also included 48 Wheatear, 7 Willow Warbler and a solitary Blackcap. The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Diurnal Migration
A Kestrel flew in off the Irish Sea and a small passage of Swallow and Sand Martin was noted, along with a single Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two drake Shoveler and the drake Pintail remain. Waders included 33 Bar-tailed Godwit, many in summer plumage, 2 Whimbrel and single Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Ruff - the latter new in.

Common Tern and Reed Warbler are the latest arrivals

27th April 2007 - bright and sunny/thunder pm NE3/4
Offshore
Early morning passage was quieter than of late with just 45 Common Scoter and small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern and Razorbill. However, birds feeding offshore at low tide included 5 Shag, 420 Common Scoter (flocks of 350 and 70), 80 Sandwich Tern, 4 Little Tern and a single Common Tern. A dark phase Arctic Skua harried the terns.
Grounded Migrants
Obvious grounded migrants were few but included 17 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Good numbers of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler are now established at breeding sites across the island and at least 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler - the latter newly arrived - all hold territory. The itinerant Hooded Crow continues to roam the island.
Wildfowl and Waders
Little of note, the drake Pintail remains, a Common Sandpiper was new in and 2 Whimbrel were logged.
Butterflies
A total of 8 Orange Tip is exceptional for the island and Speckled Wood are now on the wing.

Wheatears and Willow Warblers

26th April 2007 - bright and sunny N1/2/3/4
Offshore
An early morning watch (0615-0715) was highlighted by a single Great Skua heading into Morecambe Bay. Also logged were 215 Common Scoter, 42 Gannet, 11 Manx Shearwater, 8 Red-throated Diver and lesser numbers of Sandwich Tern, Kittiwake and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Although conditions were clear a steadily increasing north wind from dawn produced another fall on the island. The main species were 100 Willow Warbler and 65 Wheatear although 16 Whitethroat, 8 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 4 Whinchat, 2 Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and single White Wagtail and Garden Warbler were also recorded.
Diurnal Migration
A Merlin flew in off the Irish Sea and a light Swallow passage was noted.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single drake Pintail remains and 7 Whimbrel were seen along with the now seemingly obligatory Greenshank and Spotted Redshank.

Wheatears continue to pour through

25th April 2007 - murky start then sunny spells S4 then SW5
Offshore
Early morning observations (0625-0725) provided variety if not quantity. Highlights were a a dark phase Arctic Skua and, unusually, a pair of Gadwall while other sightings involved 60 Sandwich Tern, 48 Manx Shearwater, 39 Razorbill, 30 Arctic Tern, 25 Guillemot, 15 Gannet and lesser numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Although 65 Wheatear were logged passerine migration in general slowed with just 8 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap and 2 Whinchat.
Diurnal Migration
No systematic count was undertaken, however at least 22 Swallow and 5 Sand Martin moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 28 Black-tailed Godwit roosted over the evening tide, also logged were 25 Whimbrel and the long-staying Greenshank and Spotted Redshank - the latter finally starting to attain breeding plumage.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egrets continue to stalk the island.

An early Swift flies through and Whitethroats arrive

24th April 2007 - overcast/early mist then showers SW4/3/2/1
Offshore
A pale phase Arctic Skua flew into Morecambe Bay on the evening tide. Also logged were 3 Red-throated Diver, 110 Sandwich Tern, 11 Guillemot and lesser numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 4 Whitethroat were the first of the year and other new arrivals included 40 Wheatear, 20 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap. 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler and a single Whinchat. At least 1 Lesser Whitethroat remains on territory and the Hooded Crow continues to linger.
Diurnal Migration
The first Swift of the year - one of the earliest ever recorded - flew through while 30 Swallow and 6 Sand Martin were also seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The presence of 4 Greenshank suggested an influx of passage birds, also logged were 10 Whimbrel and the long-staying Spotted Redshank.

Rain stops play

23rd April 2007 - rain S4/5
Offshore
A single Shag and 25 Sandwich Tern fed over the evening tide.
Grounded Migrants
Persistent rain severely limited observations but new arrivals included 8 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap - continuing the best spring passage on record for this species - and 3 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Pintail and 2 Shoveler continue to linger and waders included 3000 Knot, 300 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel and single Spotted Redshank and Greenshank.
Mammals
A group of 11 Grey Seals were offshore.

Tree Pipit heads new arrivals

22nd April 2007 - overcast/misty with drizzle at times S3
Offshore
At least 1 Shag remains and just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Guillemot are logged in poor visibility
Grounded Migrants
Passerines continue to move through and new arrivals included 30 Willow Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 4 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and the first Tree Pipit of the year. A Hooded Crow continues to linger.
Diurnal Migration
No coordinated count was undertaken, however, 10 Swallow, 2 House Martin and 3 Collared Dove were recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 1275 Eider were present and high tide provided 3500 Knot, 2230 Oystercatcher, 550 Redshank, 430 Turnstone, 130 Sanderling and single Spotted Redshank and Greenshank.
Moths
The MV trap produced an early Nutmeg - a new addition for the year.