30th September 2008 - rain W3/4/5/6/7
Rarities
The Rustic Bunting remains but continues to prove very elusive in the inclement conditions.
Offshore
Observations (0745-0945 & 1400-1500) produced 55 Gannet, 11 Common Scoter, 8 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot and single Shag and Kittiwake.
Miscellaneous
At least 17 Little Egret remain.
Rustic Bunting proves elusive
29th September 2008 overcast/showers SW3/4/5/6
Rarities
The Rustic Bunting was still present but proved very elusive in the steadily deteriorating weather conditions.
Offshore
Three periods of observations (0745-0945, 1000-1200 & 1400-1500) produced totals of 120 Gannet, 100 Common Scoter, 66 Razorbill, 21 Guillemot, 8 Red-thoated Diver, 3 Sandwich Tern and single Great Northern Diver, Leach's Petrel, Scaup, Manx Shearwater and Shag.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a southbound skein of 33 Pink-footed Geese and 120 Meadow Pipit, 20 alba Wagtail, 15 Swallow and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
At least 19 Little Egret and a single Water Rail remain and 3 Raven were seen.
Rarities
The Rustic Bunting was still present but proved very elusive in the steadily deteriorating weather conditions.
Offshore
Three periods of observations (0745-0945, 1000-1200 & 1400-1500) produced totals of 120 Gannet, 100 Common Scoter, 66 Razorbill, 21 Guillemot, 8 Red-thoated Diver, 3 Sandwich Tern and single Great Northern Diver, Leach's Petrel, Scaup, Manx Shearwater and Shag.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a southbound skein of 33 Pink-footed Geese and 120 Meadow Pipit, 20 alba Wagtail, 15 Swallow and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
At least 19 Little Egret and a single Water Rail remain and 3 Raven were seen.
Rustic Bunting lingers to draw the crowds
28th September 2008 - bright and sunny N1/2
Rarities
The Rustic Bunting remained for a second day and showed well on and off to all comers. A dark phase Honey Buzzard circled over the island to gain height on the thermals before striking off due south.
Diurnal Migration
Activity in the sky was dominated by Pink-footed Geese with 1175 birds moving through, also seen were 180 Meadow Pipit, 19 Swallow, 12 alba Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail and a single Yellow Wagtail and Common Buzzard.
Grounded Migrants
Again sparse with just 15 Goldcrest, 7 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 21 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Little Egret, 2 Kingfisher and 2 Water Rail remain. A Little Owl sunned itself in the lee of the north wind.
Images
Three reasonable views of the Rustic Bunting.
Rarities
The Rustic Bunting remained for a second day and showed well on and off to all comers. A dark phase Honey Buzzard circled over the island to gain height on the thermals before striking off due south.
Diurnal MigrationActivity in the sky was dominated by Pink-footed Geese with 1175 birds moving through, also seen were 180 Meadow Pipit, 19 Swallow, 12 alba Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail and a single Yellow Wagtail and Common Buzzard.
Grounded Migrants
Again sparse with just 15 Goldcrest, 7 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 21 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Little Egret, 2 Kingfisher and 2 Water Rail remain. A Little Owl sunned itself in the lee of the north wind.
Images
Three reasonable views of the Rustic Bunting.
Rustic Bunting is new addition to the county list
27th September 2008 - hazy sun SW2/3/4
Rarities
A change in wind direction with the persistent northeasterlies of the last few days giving way to southwestelies and the result, Cumbria's first Rustic Bunting was found at South Walney Nature Reserve! Although frustratingly elusive at times, with patience the bird showed well on occasions for all comers.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 15 Gannet, 7 Shag and a Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
Although somewhat interrupted by the days events, a light passage through the morning produced 200 Meadow Pipit, 30 alba Wagtail, 20 Swallow, 15 Skylark, 5 Grey Wagtail and 4 Siskin.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the presence of the Rustic Bunting grounded birds were yet again thin on the ground with just 17 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff and a sprinkling of Robin logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Little Egret and a Water Rail remain.
Rarities
A change in wind direction with the persistent northeasterlies of the last few days giving way to southwestelies and the result, Cumbria's first Rustic Bunting was found at South Walney Nature Reserve! Although frustratingly elusive at times, with patience the bird showed well on occasions for all comers.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 15 Gannet, 7 Shag and a Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
Although somewhat interrupted by the days events, a light passage through the morning produced 200 Meadow Pipit, 30 alba Wagtail, 20 Swallow, 15 Skylark, 5 Grey Wagtail and 4 Siskin.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the presence of the Rustic Bunting grounded birds were yet again thin on the ground with just 17 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff and a sprinkling of Robin logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Little Egret and a Water Rail remain.
Raven flies through
26th September 2008 - hazy sun SE1/2
Diurnal Migration
Observations (0900-1100) produced totals of 390 Meadow Pipit, 90 Swallow, 45 alba Wagtail, 18 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Skylark and 6 Siskin, along with a lone Raven.
Grounded Migrants
Although a few new arrivals were in evidence totals remain light with just 17 Goldcrest, 14 Robin, 5 Song Thrush and 4 Chiffchaff logged.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail remains in residence.
Diurnal Migration
Observations (0900-1100) produced totals of 390 Meadow Pipit, 90 Swallow, 45 alba Wagtail, 18 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Skylark and 6 Siskin, along with a lone Raven.
Grounded Migrants
Although a few new arrivals were in evidence totals remain light with just 17 Goldcrest, 14 Robin, 5 Song Thrush and 4 Chiffchaff logged.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail remains in residence.
Shag numbers continue to build
25th September 2008 - sunny spells NE1/2
Offshore
The number of Shag present around the coastline continue to build with 16 birds located on calm seas, also seen were 20 Gannet and single Razorbill and Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
Generally quiet (0830-0930), although 400 Meadow Pipit and 300 Pink-footed Geese flew through other sightings were limited to 15 alba Wagtail, 6 Skylark, 4 Swallow and a solitary Siskin.
Grounded Migrants
The bushes continue to remain almost devoid of life. There was little to suggest any newly arrived birds with just 11 Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaff logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 24 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit amongst 1130 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 11 Little Egret remain and single Water Rail, Merlin and Little Owl were logged.
Dragonflies
Both Migrant Hawker and Common Darter are still on the wing.
Offshore
The number of Shag present around the coastline continue to build with 16 birds located on calm seas, also seen were 20 Gannet and single Razorbill and Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
Generally quiet (0830-0930), although 400 Meadow Pipit and 300 Pink-footed Geese flew through other sightings were limited to 15 alba Wagtail, 6 Skylark, 4 Swallow and a solitary Siskin.
Grounded Migrants
The bushes continue to remain almost devoid of life. There was little to suggest any newly arrived birds with just 11 Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaff logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 24 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit amongst 1130 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 11 Little Egret remain and single Water Rail, Merlin and Little Owl were logged.
Dragonflies
Both Migrant Hawker and Common Darter are still on the wing.
Tree Sparrow provides highlight
24th September 2008 - bright and sunny NE3/4
Offshore
A quick look over the sea revealed 10 Gannet and 5 Shag.
Diurnal Migration
Although 6 skeins of Pink-footed Geese, totalling 440 birds, moved south further evidence of movement was limited to 50 Meadow Pipit, 10 Swallow, 10 alba Wagtail, 3 Siskin and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Grounded Migrants
Very thin on the ground with just 6 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and a single Tree Sparrow the only birds of note..
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was logged.
Offshore
A quick look over the sea revealed 10 Gannet and 5 Shag.
Diurnal Migration
Although 6 skeins of Pink-footed Geese, totalling 440 birds, moved south further evidence of movement was limited to 50 Meadow Pipit, 10 Swallow, 10 alba Wagtail, 3 Siskin and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Grounded Migrants
Very thin on the ground with just 6 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and a single Tree Sparrow the only birds of note..
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was logged.
Only low key movement
23rd September 2008 - bright and sunny NE3/4
Diurnal Migration
Further evidence of movement through the morning was supplied by 180 Meadow Pipit, 80 Swallow, 28 Pink-footed Goose and 2 House Martin.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Whitethroat.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl hunted over the fields at dusk.
Diurnal Migration
Further evidence of movement through the morning was supplied by 180 Meadow Pipit, 80 Swallow, 28 Pink-footed Goose and 2 House Martin.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Whitethroat.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl hunted over the fields at dusk.
Diurnal Migration dominates sightings
22nd September 2008 - bright and sunny NE3
Offshore
A couple of short scans over the sea early morning (0800-0900) produced 34 Gannet, 5 Razorbill, 4 Shag, 2 Sandwich Tern and a Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Intermittent observations through the morning (0800-1200) produced totals of 2270 Swallow, 1260 Meadow Pipit, 130 Skylark, 120 House Martin, 56 alba Wagtail, 40 Sand Martin, 12 Grey Wagtail, 23 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Siskin.
Grounded Migrants
Yet again scant fare with just 18 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff of any note.
Miscellaneous
At least one Water Rail remains and raptors involved 9 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk and a Merlin. A group of 5 Little Egret was perhaps a poor reflection of the number of birds actually present.
Offshore
A couple of short scans over the sea early morning (0800-0900) produced 34 Gannet, 5 Razorbill, 4 Shag, 2 Sandwich Tern and a Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Intermittent observations through the morning (0800-1200) produced totals of 2270 Swallow, 1260 Meadow Pipit, 130 Skylark, 120 House Martin, 56 alba Wagtail, 40 Sand Martin, 12 Grey Wagtail, 23 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Siskin.
Grounded Migrants
Yet again scant fare with just 18 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff of any note.
Miscellaneous
At least one Water Rail remains and raptors involved 9 Kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawk and a Merlin. A group of 5 Little Egret was perhaps a poor reflection of the number of birds actually present.
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