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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5th April 2026 – sunny spells W4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) produced 80 Common Scoter, 50 Kittiwake, 18 Gannet, 18 Sandwich Tern, 2 Razorbill and single Red-throated Diver, Red-breasted Merganser and Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 300 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
4th April 2026 – overcast/rain at times S2/5
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 65 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver, 8 Shag, 8 Sandwich Tern, 4 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Goldcrest and a Collared Dove
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and the Red-legged Partridge reappeared
Butterflies and Moths
A Clouded Drab was the first of the year.
2nd April 2026 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 10 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake and 4 Red-breasted Merganser.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 350 Pink-footed Geese flew through along with 5 Sand Martin, 2 Siskin and a Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 405 light-bellied birds and waders included 300 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 22 Twite was seen
1st April 2026 – overcast SW1/3
Offshore
A scan of the sea produced 69 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Diver, 13 Sandwich Tern, 8 Shag, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
A single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff was amongst 6 Goldcrest and a single Fieldfare was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 110 Pink-footed Geese flew in off the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 800 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Red-legged Partridge was seen!
Ringing
Two recent Goldfinch controls involve Mossdale, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (122km NNW) and Orell, Greater Manchester (67km SSE).
Butterflies and Moths
The Herald was new for the year.
