18th April 2026 – sun/showers W3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) revealed 205 Common Scoter, 150 Kittiwake, 90 Manx Shearwater, 44 Razorbill, 44 Gannet, 40 Sandwich Tern, 17 Red-throated Diver, 17 Guillemot, 8 Little Tern and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 40 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 320 light-bellied birds and waders included 29 Black-tailed Godwit and 12 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and was joined by a second individual.
Butterflies and Moths
Three Painted Lady was logged.
First Reed Warbler returns
17th April 2026 – overcast/showers SSE4/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0830) revealed 195 Common Scoter, 29 Gannet, 14 Sandwich Tern, 13 Red-throated Diver, 8 Manx Shearwater, 8 Guillemot and 5 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 13 Wheatear and 2 White Wagtail was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The first Reed Warbler was back in breeding habitat.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0830) revealed 195 Common Scoter, 29 Gannet, 14 Sandwich Tern, 13 Red-throated Diver, 8 Manx Shearwater, 8 Guillemot and 5 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 13 Wheatear and 2 White Wagtail was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The first Reed Warbler was back in breeding habitat.
Great Northern Diver and Arctic Skua
16th April 2026 – bright and sunny SW3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0845) produced 110 Common Scoter, 28 Red-throated Diver, 24 Guillemot, 24 Razorbill, 16 Manx Shearwater, 15 Gannet, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Little Tern and single Great Northern Diver and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Blackcap was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Siskin and a Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 450 light-bellied birds and 168 Shelduck were logged while waders included: 155 Curlew, 154 Sanderling, 132 Ringed Plover, 65 Bar-tailed Godwit, 21 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap hosted a Silver Y and Dark Swordgrass and butterflies included 3 Painted Lady and a Red Admiral.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0845) produced 110 Common Scoter, 28 Red-throated Diver, 24 Guillemot, 24 Razorbill, 16 Manx Shearwater, 15 Gannet, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Little Tern and single Great Northern Diver and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Blackcap was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Siskin and a Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 450 light-bellied birds and 168 Shelduck were logged while waders included: 155 Curlew, 154 Sanderling, 132 Ringed Plover, 65 Bar-tailed Godwit, 21 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap hosted a Silver Y and Dark Swordgrass and butterflies included 3 Painted Lady and a Red Admiral.
First Arctic Tern
15th April 2026 – overcast SSE3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 620 Common Scoter, 49 Guillemot, 10 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver 7 Razorbill, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Manx Shearwater and the first Arctic Tern of the year.
Grounded Migrants
A flock of 30 White Wagtails were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Another Painted Lady was logged.
Ringing
Another day another Goldfinch recovery, a bird ringed on the island on 12th October 2025 was recaught at Sliddery, North Ayrshire on 12th April 2026 (205km NW), reinforcing the Scottish connection of birds moving through Walney Island.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 620 Common Scoter, 49 Guillemot, 10 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver 7 Razorbill, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Manx Shearwater and the first Arctic Tern of the year.
Grounded Migrants
A flock of 30 White Wagtails were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Another Painted Lady was logged.
Ringing
Another day another Goldfinch recovery, a bird ringed on the island on 12th October 2025 was recaught at Sliddery, North Ayrshire on 12th April 2026 (205km NW), reinforcing the Scottish connection of birds moving through Walney Island.
Slow going!
14th April 2026 – overcast/rain soon SE3/5
Offshore
A couple of scans of the sea revealed 65 Common Scoter, 32 Sandwich Tern, 12 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Just 6 Willow Warbler, 5 White Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Whitethroat were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Three Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 230 light-bellied birds and a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and several Lesser Whitethroat are now back on territory.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap hosted a Dark Swordgrass.
Offshore
A couple of scans of the sea revealed 65 Common Scoter, 32 Sandwich Tern, 12 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Just 6 Willow Warbler, 5 White Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Whitethroat were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Three Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 230 light-bellied birds and a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and several Lesser Whitethroat are now back on territory.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap hosted a Dark Swordgrass.
Curlew Sandpiper and Whimbrel
13th April 2026 – bright and sunny SE2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 45 Sandwich Tern, 40 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Diver, 10 Manx Shearwater, 5 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 2 Little Tern, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Shag and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of new arrivals saw 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 54 Pink-footed Geese flew through and single House Martin and Siskin were amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel and, more surprisingly, 2 Curlew Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 3 Twite were amongst 54 Linnet. There was an increase in warblers singing in breeding habitat with 6 Sedge Warbler, 5 Grasshopper Warbler and the first Lesser Whitethroat logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 2 Diamond-back Moths.
Ringing
A Goldfinch ringed on the island on 21st October 2025 was recaught at Leswalt, Dumfries and Galloway on 10th April 2026 (157km NW).
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 45 Sandwich Tern, 40 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Diver, 10 Manx Shearwater, 5 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 2 Little Tern, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Shag and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of new arrivals saw 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 54 Pink-footed Geese flew through and single House Martin and Siskin were amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel and, more surprisingly, 2 Curlew Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 3 Twite were amongst 54 Linnet. There was an increase in warblers singing in breeding habitat with 6 Sedge Warbler, 5 Grasshopper Warbler and the first Lesser Whitethroat logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 2 Diamond-back Moths.
Ringing
A Goldfinch ringed on the island on 21st October 2025 was recaught at Leswalt, Dumfries and Galloway on 10th April 2026 (157km NW).
Little Tern
12th April 2026 – overcast then sunny spells SW4/6
Offshore
The seawatching conditions continued and early morning observations on the falling tide (0730-0930) produced 275 Common Scoter, 118 Manx Shearwater, 58 Gannet, 29 Razorbill, 28 Guillemot, 25 Sandwich Tern, 13 Kittiwake, 11 Red-throated Diver and single Little Tern and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Just 3 Wheatear and 2 Blackcap were logged in the windy conditions.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
The seawatching conditions continued and early morning observations on the falling tide (0730-0930) produced 275 Common Scoter, 118 Manx Shearwater, 58 Gannet, 29 Razorbill, 28 Guillemot, 25 Sandwich Tern, 13 Kittiwake, 11 Red-throated Diver and single Little Tern and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Just 3 Wheatear and 2 Blackcap were logged in the windy conditions.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Puffin and Arctic Skua
11th April 2026 – early rain clearing to sunny spells SSW4/6
Offshore
Early morning observations on the falling tide as the rain cleared (0730-0930) produced 620 Common Scoter, 140 Sandwich Tern, 101 Gannet, 27 Razorbill, 25 Red-throated Diver, 24 Guillemot, 22 Manx Shearwater, 19 Kittiwake, 15 Red-breasted Merganser and single Puffin and Arctic Skua.
Offshore
Early morning observations on the falling tide as the rain cleared (0730-0930) produced 620 Common Scoter, 140 Sandwich Tern, 101 Gannet, 27 Razorbill, 25 Red-throated Diver, 24 Guillemot, 22 Manx Shearwater, 19 Kittiwake, 15 Red-breasted Merganser and single Puffin and Arctic Skua.
Common Scoters on the move
10th April 2026 – sunny spells W2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 510 Common Scoter, 145 Sandwich Tern, 18 Red-throated Diver, 4 Guillemot, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Willow Warbler and single Coal Tit and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows and a Redpoll flew through.
Miscellaneous
A total of 6 Reed Bunting territories was identified.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 510 Common Scoter, 145 Sandwich Tern, 18 Red-throated Diver, 4 Guillemot, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Willow Warbler and single Coal Tit and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows and a Redpoll flew through.
Miscellaneous
A total of 6 Reed Bunting territories was identified.
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