1st May 2026 – bright and sunny/rain later NE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided 220 Common Scoter, 140 Sandwich Tern, 36 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 4 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shag, 2 Gadwall and single Manx Shearwater and Velvet Scoter. In addition, flocks of 3000 Eider and 1000 Common Scoter were in the mouth of the bay.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 8 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Four Redpoll and a Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler continue to linger while waders included 27 Whimbrel and single Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat are now well distributed across the island, however Whitethroat are only thinly spread.
Butterflies and Moths
Highlight in the light trap was a Rush Veneer.
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.
Puffin
29th April 2026 – bright and sunny ENE4/6/8
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 32 Sandwich Tern, 28 Guillemot, 15 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 7 Little Tern and a Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 2 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler while waders included 9 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Several Red Admiral were seen.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 32 Sandwich Tern, 28 Guillemot, 15 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 7 Little Tern and a Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 2 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler while waders included 9 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Several Red Admiral were seen.
Arctic Skua
28th April 2026 – sunny spells NE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) revealed 35 Sandwich Tern, 34 Guillemot, 18 Common Scoter, 16 Little Tern, 15 Gannet, 7 Shag, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Arctic Tern and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Very quiet, limited to 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and single Blackcap and Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held the first Sandy Carpet of the year and a Dark Swordgrass was logged.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) revealed 35 Sandwich Tern, 34 Guillemot, 18 Common Scoter, 16 Little Tern, 15 Gannet, 7 Shag, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Arctic Tern and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Very quiet, limited to 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and single Blackcap and Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held the first Sandy Carpet of the year and a Dark Swordgrass was logged.
Black and Arctic Terns
26th April 2026 – sunny spells E3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0715 & 0800-0830) produced 280 Arctic Tern, 260 Common Scoter, 110 Sandwich Tern, 60 Gannet, 48 Little Tern, 20 Red-throated Diver, 15 Guillemot, 6 Black Tern, 3 Arctic Skua, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Manx Shearwater and single Puffin and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
A quieter day on the land with just 6 Wheatear, 5 Wllow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow continue to trickle through and 2 Redpoll were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 41 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A Silver Y was seen.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0715 & 0800-0830) produced 280 Arctic Tern, 260 Common Scoter, 110 Sandwich Tern, 60 Gannet, 48 Little Tern, 20 Red-throated Diver, 15 Guillemot, 6 Black Tern, 3 Arctic Skua, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Manx Shearwater and single Puffin and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
A quieter day on the land with just 6 Wheatear, 5 Wllow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow continue to trickle through and 2 Redpoll were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 41 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A Silver Y was seen.
Pomarine Skua and Black Terns
25th April 2026 – bright and sunny ESE1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0717) revealed 215 Common Scoter, 90 Sandwich Tern, 31 Gannet, 19 Guillemot, 15 Red-throated Diver, 12 Little Tern, 12 Arctic Tern, 8 Black Tern, 7 Shag, 2 Fulmar, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Pomarine Skua and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Three Whinchat was amongst 46 Wheatear, also logged were 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 16 Redpoll was logged
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 40 Whimbrel, 80 Sanderling and 2000 Dunlin.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0717) revealed 215 Common Scoter, 90 Sandwich Tern, 31 Gannet, 19 Guillemot, 15 Red-throated Diver, 12 Little Tern, 12 Arctic Tern, 8 Black Tern, 7 Shag, 2 Fulmar, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Pomarine Skua and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Three Whinchat was amongst 46 Wheatear, also logged were 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 16 Redpoll was logged
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 40 Whimbrel, 80 Sanderling and 2000 Dunlin.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Tree Pipit and Whinchats
24th April 2026 – bright and sunny ESE1/2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 70 Sandwich Tern, 25 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Diver, 10 Guillemot, 6 Gannet, 6 Little Tern, 2 Shag and a Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Totals included 4 Whinchat amongst 15 Wheatear, also seen were 18 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and single Chiffchaff, Grasshopper Warbler and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Five Redpoll were logged and single Tree Pipit and House Martin were amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1100 Dunlin and 32 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted a Rush Veneer.
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 70 Sandwich Tern, 25 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Diver, 10 Guillemot, 6 Gannet, 6 Little Tern, 2 Shag and a Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Totals included 4 Whinchat amongst 15 Wheatear, also seen were 18 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and single Chiffchaff, Grasshopper Warbler and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Five Redpoll were logged and single Tree Pipit and House Martin were amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1100 Dunlin and 32 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted a Rush Veneer.
Whinchat new in
23rd April 2026 – bright and sunny E3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 115 Sandwich Tern, 16 Common Scoter, 13 Red-throated Diver, 9 Gannet, 5 Little Tern, 3 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat was amongst 7 Wheatear and 8 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 31 Whimbrel and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 115 Sandwich Tern, 16 Common Scoter, 13 Red-throated Diver, 9 Gannet, 5 Little Tern, 3 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat was amongst 7 Wheatear and 8 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 31 Whimbrel and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
First Swift arrives
22nd April 2026 – bright and sunny E5/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 120 Sandwich Tern, 16 Common Scoter, 12 Gannet, 10 Red-throated Diver, 6 Guillemot, 2 Manx Shearwater, 2 Little Tern, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A quieter day with just 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler in the very blustery conditions.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of Pink-footed Geese flew through and the first Swift of the spring was seen amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 120 Sandwich Tern, 16 Common Scoter, 12 Gannet, 10 Red-throated Diver, 6 Guillemot, 2 Manx Shearwater, 2 Little Tern, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A quieter day with just 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler in the very blustery conditions.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of Pink-footed Geese flew through and the first Swift of the spring was seen amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Marsh Harrier quickly moves through
21st April 2026 – bright and sunny E3/6
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 160 Sandwich Tern, 28 Manx Shearwater, 6 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Little Tern, 4 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Totals involved 35 Willow Warbler, 22 Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Marsh Harrier flew northeast, pursued by the local Shelduck population and a single Siskin was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 160 Sandwich Tern, 28 Manx Shearwater, 6 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Little Tern, 4 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Totals involved 35 Willow Warbler, 22 Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Marsh Harrier flew northeast, pursued by the local Shelduck population and a single Siskin was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
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