28th December 2008 - bright and frosty E3
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 124 pale-bellied birds - a new record. Also seen were a single dark-bellied Brent Goose and several Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 11 Little Egret remain.
Offshore passage
26th December 2008 - overcast then sunny E4
Offshore
Morning observations (0930-1030) produced 55 Razorbill, 31 Common Scoter, 11 Kittiwake, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Pintail and single Guillemot and Goldeneye.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 120 pale-bellied Brent Geese were a new island record.
Offshore
Morning observations (0930-1030) produced 55 Razorbill, 31 Common Scoter, 11 Kittiwake, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Pintail and single Guillemot and Goldeneye.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 120 pale-bellied Brent Geese were a new island record.
Winter fare
20th December 2008 - overcast/drizzle W3/2/1
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930 & 1200-1230) produced 32 Common Scoter, 30 Pintail, 27 Red-throated Diver, 14 Shag, 7 Razorbill and a Great Northern Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
Highlights included 6 Greenshank, 3 Gadwall, 2 Scaup, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
Several Water Rail and 26 Twite were logged, a pre-roost gathering of Little Egrets contained 24 birds.
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930 & 1200-1230) produced 32 Common Scoter, 30 Pintail, 27 Red-throated Diver, 14 Shag, 7 Razorbill and a Great Northern Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
Highlights included 6 Greenshank, 3 Gadwall, 2 Scaup, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
Several Water Rail and 26 Twite were logged, a pre-roost gathering of Little Egrets contained 24 birds.
Eastern race Jackdaw!
15th December 2008 - sunny spells SE1/2
Offshore
Sightings were led by a Great Northern Diver with a supporting cast of 12 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter, 4 Shag, 4 Razorbill and 4 Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 445 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Grounded Migrants
A Jackdaw showing the characteristics associated with C m monedula " Nordic Jackdaw" dropped in briefly before flying off northeast.
Miscellaneous
Peregrine and Merlin were both seen and 30 Twite were logged.
Image
Jackdaw showing characteristics of "Nordic Jackdaw"
Offshore
Sightings were led by a Great Northern Diver with a supporting cast of 12 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter, 4 Shag, 4 Razorbill and 4 Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 445 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Grounded Migrants
A Jackdaw showing the characteristics associated with C m monedula " Nordic Jackdaw" dropped in briefly before flying off northeast.
Miscellaneous
Peregrine and Merlin were both seen and 30 Twite were logged.
Image
Jackdaw showing characteristics of "Nordic Jackdaw"
WeBS count takes precedence
14th December 2008 - bright and sunny/calm
Grounded Migrants
A group of 15 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare were further candidates of cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Highlights of the monthly WeBS count were 12 Greenshank, 3 Gadwall, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a Scaup. Other sightings included 5980 Oystercatcher, 2255 Dunlin, 1660 Knot, 1395 Wigeon, 1120 Redshank, 895 Golden Plover, 865 Curlew, 780 Lapwing, 515 Shelduck, 465 Teal, 270 Turnstone, 180 Grey Plover and 90 Sanderling.
Grounded Migrants
A group of 15 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare were further candidates of cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Highlights of the monthly WeBS count were 12 Greenshank, 3 Gadwall, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a Scaup. Other sightings included 5980 Oystercatcher, 2255 Dunlin, 1660 Knot, 1395 Wigeon, 1120 Redshank, 895 Golden Plover, 865 Curlew, 780 Lapwing, 515 Shelduck, 465 Teal, 270 Turnstone, 180 Grey Plover and 90 Sanderling.
Damp and dreary conditions prevail
13th December 2008 - rain/calm
Offshore
Calm seas revealed 23 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Guillemot, 2 Common Scoter and single Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A group of 8 Redwing were candidates for cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
A record breaking 118 pale-bellied Brent Geese were logged and 10 Purple Sandpiper were seen.
Offshore
Calm seas revealed 23 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Guillemot, 2 Common Scoter and single Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A group of 8 Redwing were candidates for cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
A record breaking 118 pale-bellied Brent Geese were logged and 10 Purple Sandpiper were seen.
Calm conditions produce the goods
6th December 2008 - bright and sunny/frost/calm
Offshore
Mill pond conditions revealed single Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe along with 3250 Eider, 17 Shag, 16 Red-throated Diver, 12 Great Crested Grebe and 5 Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
A small skein of 6 Pink-footed Geese and a solitary Siskin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup remain and waders included 770 Golden Plover, 750 Dunlin and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A ringtail Hen Harrier and 3 Short-eared Owl hunted the island. A pair of Raven wee logged but just 2 Little Egret were seen.
Offshore
Mill pond conditions revealed single Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe along with 3250 Eider, 17 Shag, 16 Red-throated Diver, 12 Great Crested Grebe and 5 Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
A small skein of 6 Pink-footed Geese and a solitary Siskin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup remain and waders included 770 Golden Plover, 750 Dunlin and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A ringtail Hen Harrier and 3 Short-eared Owl hunted the island. A pair of Raven wee logged but just 2 Little Egret were seen.
Record numbers of Brent Geese
5th December 2008 - overcast N2/3
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Mistle Thrush flew through and were suggestive of some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock continues to increase and contained 160 birds - 117 pale bellied and 43 dark-bellied.
Miscellaneous
At least 4 Short-eared Owl continue to hunt the island and a Water Rail was seen.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Mistle Thrush flew through and were suggestive of some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock continues to increase and contained 160 birds - 117 pale bellied and 43 dark-bellied.
Miscellaneous
At least 4 Short-eared Owl continue to hunt the island and a Water Rail was seen.
Long-eared Owl influx
3rd December 2008 - bright and frosty/calm
Offshore
A calm sea revealed 19 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Shag and 2 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 3000 Knot contained a colour ringed individual that had been ringed at Igaldas, Porsangerfjord on the northern coast of Norway on 19th May 2008. Also seen were 3 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Long-eared Owl were on the island, also seen were single Short-eared and Little Owl.
Mammals
Two Common Dolphin were off the western shore and 2 Roe Deer were unusual.
Offshore
A calm sea revealed 19 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Shag and 2 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 3000 Knot contained a colour ringed individual that had been ringed at Igaldas, Porsangerfjord on the northern coast of Norway on 19th May 2008. Also seen were 3 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Long-eared Owl were on the island, also seen were single Short-eared and Little Owl.
Mammals
Two Common Dolphin were off the western shore and 2 Roe Deer were unusual.
Wildfowl dominate sightings
2nd December 2008 - hail/sleet/snow/frost NW3/4
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 52 Pink-footed Geese and 4 adult Whooper Swan flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 82 pale-bellied and 43 dark-bellied birds. Other sightings included 30 Pintail, 3 Shoveler and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Just 3 Little Egret were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 52 Pink-footed Geese and 4 adult Whooper Swan flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 82 pale-bellied and 43 dark-bellied birds. Other sightings included 30 Pintail, 3 Shoveler and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Just 3 Little Egret were logged.
Offshore Goosanders lead the way
1st December 2008 - overcast/frosty NW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations from first light (0800-0900) produced 19 Common Scoter, 17 Razorbill, 4 Shag, 2 Goosander, 2 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Great Crested Grebe.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 50 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
Grounded Migrants
Two Fieldfare were the only hint of passerine movement.
Offshore
Morning observations from first light (0800-0900) produced 19 Common Scoter, 17 Razorbill, 4 Shag, 2 Goosander, 2 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Great Crested Grebe.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 50 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
Grounded Migrants
Two Fieldfare were the only hint of passerine movement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)