15th May 2026 – sunny spells NW2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea involved 25 Common Scoter, 23 Kittiwake, 20 Sandwich Tern, 12 Guillemot, 7 Gannet and 4 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Three Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Grey Plover and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Walney Bird Observatory
Founded in 1964, the work of Walney Bird Observatory is funded entirely by membership subscription. Since 1965 it has been an accredited member of the British Trust for Ornithology’s bird observatories network which operates across Britain and Ireland. Bird Observatories are at the forefront of conservation, monitoring bird populations through the medium of census work, daily recording of migrants and ringing.
Arctic Skua
14th May 2026 – sun and showers NW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided 67 Sandwich Tern, 22 Guillemot, 21 Common Scoter, 19 Gannet, 12 Arctic Tern, 3 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 2 Chiffchaff and single Wheatear and Blackcap.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Whimbrel were seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided 67 Sandwich Tern, 22 Guillemot, 21 Common Scoter, 19 Gannet, 12 Arctic Tern, 3 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 2 Chiffchaff and single Wheatear and Blackcap.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Whimbrel were seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Puffins
12th May 2026 – overcast/rain clearing WNW5/7
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 65 Guillemot, 52 Sandwich Tern, 40 Gannet, 8 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Razorbill, 4 Puffin and an Arctic Tern.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a continued trickle of Swallow.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 65 Guillemot, 52 Sandwich Tern, 40 Gannet, 8 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Razorbill, 4 Puffin and an Arctic Tern.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a continued trickle of Swallow.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Jay provides surprise
10th May 2026 – bright and sunny NE2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided 30 Sandwich Tern, 29 Common Scoter, 29 Guillemot, 10 Gannet, 3 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 5 Wheatear, along with single Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A Jay was a surprise with 2 Redpoll and a Tree Sparrow also seen amongst another trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
A late Wigeon was seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrant butterflies involved Red Admiral and Painted Lady.
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided 30 Sandwich Tern, 29 Common Scoter, 29 Guillemot, 10 Gannet, 3 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 5 Wheatear, along with single Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A Jay was a surprise with 2 Redpoll and a Tree Sparrow also seen amongst another trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
A late Wigeon was seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrant butterflies involved Red Admiral and Painted Lady.
Pomarine Skua
9th May 2026 – sunny spells ENE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea were led by a Pomarine Skua heading into the bay at 07005hrs. Also seen were 50 Sandwich Tern, 40 Gannet, 12 Guillemot, 3 Shag, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Garden Warbler and Cuckoo were the highlight amongst 5 Wheatear and single Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Sightings involved 5 House Martin amongst a trickle of Swallow and single Redpoll and Tree Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 13 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea were led by a Pomarine Skua heading into the bay at 07005hrs. Also seen were 50 Sandwich Tern, 40 Gannet, 12 Guillemot, 3 Shag, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Garden Warbler and Cuckoo were the highlight amongst 5 Wheatear and single Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Sightings involved 5 House Martin amongst a trickle of Swallow and single Redpoll and Tree Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 13 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Spanish Chiffchaff
8th May 2026 – overcast NW2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 40 Sandwich Tern, 38 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet, 19 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Shag and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 2 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Two Redpoll were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Ringing
Surprise of the day involved a Chiffchaff bearing a Spanish ring – details awaited.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held a Waved Umber.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 40 Sandwich Tern, 38 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet, 19 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Shag and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 2 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Two Redpoll were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Ringing
Surprise of the day involved a Chiffchaff bearing a Spanish ring – details awaited.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held a Waved Umber.
Good numbers of Lesser Whitethroat hold territory
7th May 2026 – overcast SE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0745) produced 200 Sandwich Tern, 44 Common Scoter, 24 Gannet, 7 Guillemot, 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Puffin, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 3 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and around 30 territorial Lesser Whitethroat are on the island.
Butterflies and Moths
Painted Lady and Red Admiral continue to be recorded.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0745) produced 200 Sandwich Tern, 44 Common Scoter, 24 Gannet, 7 Guillemot, 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Puffin, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 3 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and around 30 territorial Lesser Whitethroat are on the island.
Butterflies and Moths
Painted Lady and Red Admiral continue to be recorded.
Common Scoter dominate
5th May 2026 – overcast NW2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 250 Common Scoter, 17 Guillemot, 16 Gannet, 8 Shag and a Red-throated Diver. In addition, the Common Scoter flock in the mouth of the bay held at least 3000 birds.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 2 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Painted Lady and Red Admiral continue to be recorded.
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 250 Common Scoter, 17 Guillemot, 16 Gannet, 8 Shag and a Red-throated Diver. In addition, the Common Scoter flock in the mouth of the bay held at least 3000 birds.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 2 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Painted Lady and Red Admiral continue to be recorded.
Garden Warbler and Velvet Scoters
4th May 2026 – overcast E1
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) provided 3250 Common Scoter, 50 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 14 Shag, 14 Guillemot, 2 Velvet Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 5 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler and single Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler – the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Swallows continue to trickle flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 68 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
A Short-tailed Vole was pursued by a Weasel.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrant butterflies involved 30 Red Admiral and 26 Painted Lady and 3 Small Mottled Willow were in the moth trap.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) provided 3250 Common Scoter, 50 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 14 Shag, 14 Guillemot, 2 Velvet Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 5 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler and single Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler – the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Swallows continue to trickle flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 68 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
A Short-tailed Vole was pursued by a Weasel.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrant butterflies involved 30 Red Admiral and 26 Painted Lady and 3 Small Mottled Willow were in the moth trap.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



