Seabirds continue to dominate

29th June 2008 - sunny spells SW4
Offshore
Observations over the tide (0800-1000) were highlighted by 3 Arctic Skua (2 dark, 1 pale), 2 Puffin and a single Storm Petrel. Also seen were 240 Sandwich Tern, 120 Manx Shearwater, 38 Gannet, 18 Kittiwake, 14 Guillemot, 3 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern and single Arctic Tern and Fulmar. Observations later in the day (1400-1500) produced 2 Arctic Skua (1 dark, 1 pale) and another Storm Petrel along with small numbers of Sandwich Tern, Gannet and Manx Shearwater.
Breeding Birds
Post breeding flocks of Goldfinch are beginning to form, juveniles dominate, suggesting a good breeding season.

Seabirds take centre stage

28th June 2008 - sunny spells SW3/4
Offshore
Observations centred on the sea with sightings on the falling tide (0730-1130) including 800 Manx Shearwater, 415 Sandwich Tern, 135 Gannet, 22 Common Scoter, 19 Guillemot, 16 Kittiwake, 4 Arctic Skua (2 dark, 2 pale), 3 Fulmar, 2 Common Tern and single Red-throated Diver, Shag, Red-breasted Merganser and Razorbill.

Still raining

27th June 2008 - dry start then rain SW3/2
Offshore
After a dry start the rain returned and the only records of any note came from over the sea with 120 Sandwich Tern, 30 Manx Shearwater and 5 Gannet logged.

Rain, Rain, Rain

26th June 2008 - rain SW4
Offshore
Finally the rain eased somewhat early evening to allow for a seawatch (1630-1800) which produced 100 Sandwich Tern, 32 Manx Sheatwater, 22 Gannet, 4 Guillemot, 2 Common Scoter, a pale phase Arctic Skua and a Red-breasted Merganser.

Rather quiet!

25th June 2008 - sunny spells SW4
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0615-0715) were limited to 120 Sandwich Tern, 30 Gannet, 20 Common Scoter, 18 Manx Shearwater and a Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 2 Whimbrel are still present.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine hunted over the island.

First Greenshank of the autumn

24th June 2008 - overcast E1/2
Offshore
Early morning (0615-0715) provided 230 Sandwich Tern, 110 Common Scoter, 100 Manx Shearwater and 3 Gannet over the calm seas. The evening tide (1915-1945) produced 25 Sandwich Tern, 25 Common Scoter and 7 Gannet. In addition 15 Sandwich Tern, 8 Arctic Tern, 6 Little Tern and 2 Common Tern fed off the eastern shore as the tide ebbed.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Greenshank of the autumn was newly arrived.

Calm after the storm

23rd June 2008 - sunny spells W3
Offshore
The day after the storm and conditions early morning (0615-0715) proved to be disappointingly tranquil. As a consequence sightings were less than anticipated with just 22 Gannet, 22 Sandwich Tern, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 2 Razorbill and single Fulmar and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 13 Black-tailed Godwit were new in.
Dragonflies
The first Common Darter were on the wing.

Seabirds and waders

22nd June 2008 - ovecast/showers SW5/6/7/8
Offshore
Despite the increasingly strong SW wind sightings were generally unspectacular with observations (0800-0900) providing just 60 Gannet, 50 Sandwich Tern, 30 Manx Shearwater, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Common Scoter and a single Storm Petrel. The more sheltered eastern shore produced 4 Little Tern along with small numbers of Common, Arctic and Sandwich Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 380 Knot, 15 Redshank, 14 Dunlin, 3 Grey Plover, 3 Turnstone and 2 Sanderling.
Miscellaneous
A Stock Dove was the first on the island this year.

Waders begin to build

21st June 2008 - overcast, rain soon SE2
Offshore
Morning observations (0900-1000) produced 210 Sandwich Tern, 65 Manx Shearwater, 23 Common Scoter and 10 Gannet.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swift flew through ahead of the rain front
Wildfowl and Waders
Wader numbers begin to build and totals included 265 Curlew, 200 Knot, 35 Redshank, 15 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone and 2 Grey Plover.
Breeding Birds
The first brood of shelducklings were noted and a sixth territorial Reed Warbler was located.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine hunted over the island.

All quiet!

20th June 2008 - bright and sunny W3
Offshore
A much quieter day than of late, morning sightings (0745-0845) were limited to 120 Sandwich Tern, 30 Gannet, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot, 3 Manx Shearwater and a Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 200 first-summer Knot continue to linger.

Seawatching again to the fore

19th June 2008 - bright and sunny WSW4/5
Offshore
Another day when the prevailing conditions were only really suitable for seawatching and this allowed for an extended period of observations (0700-1300). Sightings were again led by Storm Petrels with five birds seen amongst good numbers of the commoner seabirds. Other totals included 1000 Manx Shearwater, 640 Sandwich Tern, 390 Gannet, 60 Kittiwake, 21 Fulmar, 17 Common Scoter, 9 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill and single Red-throated Diver, Arctic Tern, Common Tern and dark phase Arctic Skua.

More Storm Petrels

18th June 2008 - rain, heavy at times SW3/4
Offshore
A day when the weather conditions were only really conducive to seawatching. Morning observations between the rain (0800-1000 & 1130-1230) were again lead by Storm Petrels with a further 4 birds seen. Also logged were 275 Sandwich Tern, 70 Gannet, 45 Manx Shearwater, 20 Common Scoter, 20 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 4 Teal, 2 Little Tern and single Fulmar, Kittiwake and dark phase Arctic Skua.

Storm Petrel season begins

17th June 2008 - overcast SW3/4
Offshore
Two periods of observation up to high tide (0800-0900 & 1130-1230) produced the first 2 Storm Petrel of the season. A relatively recent trend, birds begin to appear close inshore following W to SW winds with just a moderate breeze required to produce the goods. Also logged were a good variety of additional seabirds including 330 Sandwich Tern, 85 Gannet, 34 Common Scoter, 33 Manx Shearwater, 12 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Fulmar, 2 Arctic Tern and a Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least one Whimbrel remains and 3 first-summer Grey Plover were seen.

Shag headlines meagre rations

16th June 2008 - bright and sunny W3
Offshore
Morning sightings (0745-0845) were led by a single Shag and also included 80 Sandwich Tern, 10 Gannet, 6 Common Scoter, 3 Guillemot and a Razorbill.
Breeding Birds
Several Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler continue to hold territory.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl sunned itself in the midday sun.

Further hints of autumn

15th June 2008 - bright and sunny NNW3/4
Offshore
Morning sightings (0845-0945), although highlighted by a single dark phase Arctic Skua, generally involved the usual suspects with just 100 Sandwich Tern and small numbers of Gannet, Guillemot, Manx Shearwater, Kittiwake and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Two Grey Wagtail provided a further hint that autumn approaches.
Diurnal Migration
A single Siskin headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
A post-breeding flock of 140 Curlew contained a single Whimbrel.
Butterflies
The first Meadow Brown was on the wing and good numbers of Large Skipper are spread across the island.

Seabirds still provide interest

14th June 2008 - bright and sunny NW3
Offshore
Morning observations (0700-0900 & 0945-1115) provided totals of 270 Sandwich Tern, 120 Gannet, 51 Common Scoter, 15 Manx Shearwater, 10 Guillemot, 5 Kittiwake, 3 Razorbill and 2 Fulmar.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swift, in off the sea, were presumably late migrants.
Waders
A flock of at least 600 Knot remain. The flock failed to contain a single "red" bird.
Miscellaneous
A rather large Red-eared Terrapin was presumably a discarded pet.

Offshore provides interest

13th June 2008 - bright and sunny NW2
Offshore
A very quiet day with the only records of note being offshore where early morning observations (0615-0715) included 100 Sandwich Tern, 55 Gannet, 27 Guillemot, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Razorbill and a Kittiwake.

Seabirds and late waders

12th June 2008 - bright and sunny NW2/3
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0615-0715) included 110 Gannet, 60 Sandwich Tern, 5 Guillemot and single Common Tern and Manx Shearwater. The evening tide produced a flock of 6 Arctic Tern feeding along the eastern shore.
Wildfowl and waders
A large flock of 2500 Knot contained just a handful of summer plumaged individuals. At least 2 Whimbrel also continue to linger.

Goosander highlight

11th June 2008 - overcast WNW4/3
Offshore
Early morning observations on the high tide (0630-0730) were led by a group of 4 Goosander (3 male, 1 female) and also included 85 Sandwich Tern, 65 Gannet, 18 Manx Shearwater and 10 Guillemot. Evening sightings (1615-1715) provided an additional 65 Gannet, 20 Gannet and single Manx Shearwater and Guillemot.

Seabirds provide the main interest

10th June 2008 - bright and sunny WNW3/4
Offshore
The increasing westerly breeze failed to stir up the anticipated seabird activity with early morning sightings (0615-0715) providing just 60 Sandwich Tern, 44 Guillemot, 28 Gannet, 21 Manx Shearwater, 14 Kittiwake and 3 Common Scoter. The evening tide proved even less productive with just 10 Gannet and 2 Guillemot logged.
Breeding Birds
At least 3 small Sand Martin colonies are scattered across the island continuing the recent revival of the species as breeding species on Walney.

A quiet day

9th June 2008 - bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0615-0715) included 200 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 6 Common Scoter, 4 Guillemot, 3 Manx Shearwater and single Kittiwake and Razorbill. The evening tide produced 3 Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 2 Whimbrel were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine continues to hunt over the island.

Hints of autumn

8th June 2008 - bright and sunny W2
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) provided 90 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Scoter, 10 Gannet, 8 Manx Shearwater and single Shag, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A singing Lesser Whitethroat and more surprisingly a Robin were new in.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 9 southbound Jackdaw were probably a result of post-breeding dispersal rather than migration.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Pink-footed Goose still remains and post-breeding flocks of Lapwing and Curlew begin to build.
Miscellaneous
A Sparrowhawk hunted the post-breeding Starling flocks and a Peregrine stalked the waders.
Butterflies
A total of 20 Large Skipper were logged.
Dragonflies
The first Blue-tailed Damselflies of the year were recorded.

Waders still to depart for northern climes

7th June 2008 - sunny spells SW2
Offshore
Two brief periods of observation (0730-0800 & 1230-1300) produced totals of 45 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet, 15 Common Scoter, 10 Manx Shearwater, 6 Arctic Skua, 4 Guillemot and 2 Common Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first returning Teal was logged and waders presumably still heading north included 2000 Knot, 60 Turnstone, 20 Dunlin, 6 Whimbrel and 5 Sanderling.
Breeding Birds
A total of 5 territorial Reed Warbler are present on the island consolidating the species' status as a recent colonist.

Seabirds provide the main interest

6th June 2008 - bright and sunny SW2
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) produced 150 Sandwich Tern, 35 Gannet, 4 Common Scoter, 3 Tufted Duck!, 2 dark phase Arctic Skua and single Common Tern and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Very little new to report although 2 Lesser Redpoll were very unusual at this time of the year.

Very quiet

5th June 2008 - overcast then sunn/calm
Miscellaneous
The only sightings of note involved 2 Whimbrel and 2 Common Tern.
Butterflies
Records included 20 Common Blue, 10 Red Admiral and a Large Skipper.

Yellow Wagtail and Cuckoo

4th June 2008 - overcast then sunny SW2
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0730-0830) included 250 Manx Shearwater, 90 Sandwich Tern, 28 Guillemot, 25 Gannet, 20 Kittiwake and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Single Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo and Wheatear were all logged, the first two species are becoming an increasingly rare sight on the island.
Wildfowl and Waders
Late passage waders included 15 Knot, 5 Whimbrel and 5 Sanderling.

Seabirds provide variety

3rd June 2008 - overcast then sunny WNW2/3
Offshore
The first real hint of a westerly breeze for sometime and morning observations (0800-1000) were rewarded with an array of species including 255 Manx Shearwater, 73 Guillemot, 44 Gannet, 36 Sandwich Tern, 27 Common Scoter, 10 Kittiwake, 7 Razorbill, 4 Fulmar, 2 Common Tern and single Arctic Tern and dark phase Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Another Spotted Flycatcher was the only evidence of recently grounded birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Pink-footed Geese still refuse to move on and waders included 14 Whimbrel and 5 Sanderling.

Still some movement

2nd June 2008 - overcast/misty then sunny/calm
Offshore
Despite no coordinated observations being undertaken 6 Arctic Tern and 5 Little Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Another Spotted Flycatcher, it has been a good spring on Walney for this species, and a late Chiffchaff were both new in.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Pink-footed Geese still remain and waders included 100 Knot, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl continues to show during the day.

A few species still on the move

1st June 2008 - overcast, rain later/calm
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0730-0830) saw a late group of 10 Arctic Tern flying strongly into Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 65 Gannet, 15 Sandwich Tern, 13 Common Scoter, 12 Guillemot, 5 Manx Shearwtaer, 2 dark phase Arctic Skua and single Fulmar and Shag. Further observations on the ebbing tide produced a feeding flock of 30 Arctic Tern and 6 Little Tern over the sheltered waters on the eastern side of the island.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a late Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of birds remain on the move with 12 Swallow and a Swift logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Pink-footed Geese remain and 3 drake Gadwall were new in. Waders included 150 Dunlin, 110 Ringed Plover, 55 Turnstone, 11 Whimbrel and 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, presumably still en-route to their northern breeding grounds.
Moths
A total of 31 species included the impressive Poplar Hawk-moth and Small Elephant Hawk-moth.