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.
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.
Little Ringed Plover
9th April 2026 – overcast/calm then rain SW2/5
Offshore
An early morning check over the sea produced 60 Sandwich Tern, 25 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, 12 Shag, 9 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A quieter day with 4 Blackcap and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Little Ringed Plover was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Merlin and Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A Goldfinch ringed on the island on 9th October 2025 was recaught at Hoylake, Merseyside on 7th April 2026 (72km S) and a colour ringed Shelduck ringed at Wheldrake, Yorkshire on 31st January 2022 (148km E) has returned to Walney Island for a second successive spring.
Offshore
An early morning check over the sea produced 60 Sandwich Tern, 25 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, 12 Shag, 9 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A quieter day with 4 Blackcap and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Little Ringed Plover was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Merlin and Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A Goldfinch ringed on the island on 9th October 2025 was recaught at Hoylake, Merseyside on 7th April 2026 (72km S) and a colour ringed Shelduck ringed at Wheldrake, Yorkshire on 31st January 2022 (148km E) has returned to Walney Island for a second successive spring.
Warblers and Wheatears arrive
8th April 2026 – sunny spells V1
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 4,300 Eider, 86 Common Scoter, 80 Sandwich Tern, 30 Red-throated Diver, 8 Shag, 5 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and single Gannet and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Totals involved 32 Wheatear, 12 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 2 White Wagtail and a single Chiffchaff. In addition, single singing Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat are now back on breeding sites amongst a noticeable influx of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 61 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Sand Martin and 4 Swallow flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Raven and 3 Jay were the best of the rest.
Mammals
Three Harbour Porpoise were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
A Green-veined White was new for the year, along with single Painted Lady and Red Admiral which had presumably overwintered locally. The light trap hosted the first Brown Sliver-line of the year.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 4,300 Eider, 86 Common Scoter, 80 Sandwich Tern, 30 Red-throated Diver, 8 Shag, 5 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and single Gannet and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Totals involved 32 Wheatear, 12 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 2 White Wagtail and a single Chiffchaff. In addition, single singing Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat are now back on breeding sites amongst a noticeable influx of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 61 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Sand Martin and 4 Swallow flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Raven and 3 Jay were the best of the rest.
Mammals
Three Harbour Porpoise were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
A Green-veined White was new for the year, along with single Painted Lady and Red Admiral which had presumably overwintered locally. The light trap hosted the first Brown Sliver-line of the year.
Another Marsh Harrier
7th April 2026 – bright and sunny E2/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 45 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 17 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag, 3 Gannet and 3 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Totals involved 5 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and single Blackcap, Willow Warbler and White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 250 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Meadow Pipit, 10 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and a Redpoll flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Marsh Harrier hunted the island and Merlin; Hooded Crow and Red-legged Partridge were the best of the rest. Five Twite remained amongst 28 Linnet.
Butterflies and Moths
Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue and Orange Tip were all in the wing in the warm sunshine.
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 45 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 17 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag, 3 Gannet and 3 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Totals involved 5 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and single Blackcap, Willow Warbler and White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 250 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Meadow Pipit, 10 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and a Redpoll flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Marsh Harrier hunted the island and Merlin; Hooded Crow and Red-legged Partridge were the best of the rest. Five Twite remained amongst 28 Linnet.
Butterflies and Moths
Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue and Orange Tip were all in the wing in the warm sunshine.
Marsh Harrier
6th April 2026 – sunny spells SE2/5
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 44 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Scoter, 8 Shag, 7 Red-throated Diver and 7 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 White Wagtail, 2 Wheatear and a single Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 728 Pink-footed Geese and 7 Whooper Swan headed north and a Marsh Harrier flew out to sea.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Weasel was seen.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 44 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Scoter, 8 Shag, 7 Red-throated Diver and 7 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 White Wagtail, 2 Wheatear and a single Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 728 Pink-footed Geese and 7 Whooper Swan headed north and a Marsh Harrier flew out to sea.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Weasel was seen.
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