Stormies reappear

31st July 2009 - bright and sunny, rain by evening SSW34
Offshore
Observations through the day (0615-0715, 1300-1400 & 1630-1730) were led by a total of 16 Storm Pertrel, also seen were 25 Manx Shearwater, 25 Gannet, 13 Sandwich Tern and 12 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A few Willow Warblers continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 15 Black-tailed Godwit continue to linger.
Miscellaneous
A single Little Egret was logged.

More of the same

30th July 2009 - heavy showers
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0615-0715) involved 130 Common Scoter and small numbers of Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few Willow Warbler continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The group of 15 Black-tailed Godwit remain.

Odds and Ends

29th July 2009 - rain, drier later SW4/3/2
Offshore
Remaining quiet for the time of year with just small numbers of Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The small passage of Willow Warbler continues with 5 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank and single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine flew through and 2 Raven were logged.

Cuckoo and Wheatears

28th July 2009 - overcast then showers turning to rain SW4
Offshore
Morning observations revealed just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of sightings included 3 Wheatear and single Cuckoo and Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Just 5 Greenshank were logged in the deteriorating conditions.

First Merlin returns

27th July 2009 - overcast/showers then sunny SW4
Offshore
Morning observations (0615-0715) produced 200 Manx Shearwater, 100 Gannet, 30 Common Scoter, 16 Kittiwake and 4 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Small numbers of Willow Warbler continue to trickle through.
Miscellaneous
The first Merlin of the autumn stalked a post-breeding flock of 150 Linnet.

Waders continue to dominate

26th July 2009 - rain turning showery later S4/5
Offshore
A group of 22 Little Tern fed on the falling tide and other sightings included a first-summer Shag and small numbers of Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Gannet, Manx Shearwater and Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
WeBS count wader totals included 1800 Oystercatcher, 745 Redshank, 100 Turnstone, 85 Dunlin, 67 Sanderling, 30 Whimbrel and 15 Greenshank.

Waders provide main interest

25th July 2009 - bright and sunny W2
Offshore
Only small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Willow Warblers continue to trickle through and the first Chiffchaff of the autumn was recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Returning waders continue to provide the main interest with 960 Curlew, 85 Turnstone, 50 Dunlin, 39 Ringed Plover, 29 Whimbrel, 20 Sanderling, 10 Knot, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Grey Plover, 3 Golden Plover and 3 Greenshank among the species logged.

More Stormies and Curlew Sandpiper lingers

24th July 2009 - sunny spells/showers SW3
Offshore
Morning observations (0700-0800) produced a further 4 Storm Petrel along with 30 Common Scoter, 24 Gannet and 3 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A few Willow Warbler are now trickling through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The adult Curlew Sandpiper remains and other returning waders included 55 Turnstone, 12 Sanderling, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.

Curlew Sandpiper and stormies

23rd July 2009 - overcast/showers then sun SW3/4
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (1000-1200) were highlighted by 3 Storm Petrel, also seen were 45 Gannet, 23 Manx Shearwater, 23 Sandwich Tern and small numbers of Common Scoter and Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
An adult Curlew Sandpiper was the pick of the waders and sightings also included 32 Whimbrel.

Waders continue to increase

22nd July 2009 - overcast/showers S4/5
Offshore
Remaining quiet over the sea despite the apparently more favourable conditions with sightings on the rising tide(0945-1045) limited to 28 Manx Shearwater, 26 Gannet and small numbers of Common Scoter, Guillemot and Sandwich Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Returning waders included 825 Curlew, 630 Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 8 Whimbrel, 10 Knot, 10 Turnstone and 4 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper.

Rain and more rain

21st July 2009 - overcast/rain SE4
Offshore
A few Manx Shearwater, Gannet and Common Scoter appeared through the persistent and at times heavy rain.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Shoveler were seen and waders included 3 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper.
Breeding Birds
It would appear that Reed Bunting and Stonechat have had a very good breeding season with above average numbers of juveniles in evidence.

Still slow

20th July 2009 - bright and sunny SW3/4
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide (1100-1200) produced 40 Gannet, 35 Manx Shearwater, 12 Common Scoter, 7 Sandwich Tern and single Fulmar and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The first juvenile Willow Warbler of the autumn are now beginning to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 325 Curlew contained 7 Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit.

Dragonfly provides island first

19th July 2009 - sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0715-0815) produced 120 Common Scoter, 20 Gannet, 20 Sandwich Tern and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Passerines on the move involved 3 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Common Sandpiper and single Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit.
Dragonflies
The exceptional summer continues with yet another island first in the form of a Southern Hawker.
Images
Southern Hawker

Slow going

18th July 2009 - sunny spells NW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) produced just 30 Gannet, 18 Common Scoter, 9 Manx Shearwater, 5 Sandwich Tern and 3 Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Black-tailed Godwit remains.
Moths
A Beautiful China Mark would appear to be the first recorded on the island for over 20 years.
Dragonflies
Two Emperor Dragonfly and single Red-veined Darter and Brown Hawker were logged.

A few seabirds and waders

17th July 2009 - heavy rain NW3/4
Offshore
Several short periods of observation through the day when the rain relented somewhat provided totals of 102 Manx Shearwater, 81 Gannet, 26 Common Scoter, 11 Sandwich Tern and 2 Arctic Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 28 Sanderling and single Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel.

Early morning update

16th July 2009 - overcast SW2/3
Offshore
Common Scoter were again on the move early morning (0615-0715) with 100 birds logged, also seen were 12 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater and single Little Tern and Sandwich Tern.

Wood Sandpiper leads sightings

15th July 2009 - early rain/calm
Offshore
Morning sightings in persistent rain (0615-0715) included 300 Common Scoter, 42 Manx Shearwater, 14 Sandwich Tern and 6 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Wood Sandpiper of the year was the pick of the waders while early morning passage involved 54 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Sanderling and 2 Redshank heading south over the sea.
Miscellaneous
A single Little Egret was logged.

Late afternoon Osprey

14th July 2009 - bright and sunny/thunderstorms later SW2
Offshore
Morning observations (0615-0715) provided 130 Manx Shearwater, 90 Common Scoter and small numbers of Sandwich Tern, Fulmar, Guillemot and Gannet.
Diurnal Migration
An Osprey drifted east between the afternoon thunder clouds.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders remain on the move with 60 Dunlin, 5 Sanderling and a Knot passing through over the sea. Also seen were 4 Greenshank and single Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper amongst 260 Redshank.
Butterflies
A total of 20 Painted Lady were logged.

Waders on the move

13th July 2009 - bright and sunny, thundery showers SW3/2/1
Offshore
Early morning observations (0615-0715) produced 55 Manx Shearwater, 32 Gannet, 32 Common Scoter, 12 Sandwich Tern and single Kittiwake and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wader passage during seawatching activities included 60 Dunlin, 12 Sanderling, 6 Redshank and 3 Knot. Also seen were 2 Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine surveyed the post-breeding flocks of Curlew

Seabirds reappear

12th July 2009 - sunny spells SW3/4
Offshore
Observations (0800-0900 & 1430-1530) produced totals of 128 Manx Shearwater, 101 Gannet, 36 Sandwich Tern, 17 Common Scoter, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Razorbill and single Guillemot and dark phase Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 29 Dunlin and 9 Sanderling as Arctic breeders begin to return.

Red-veined Darter remain

11th July 2009 - sunny spells SE3
Offshore
Early morning obseervations followed the recent trend of little activity with just a handful of Gannet and Sandwich Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Another Willow Warbler provided further early evidence on the onset of autumn migration.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swift and Snd Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.
Butterflies
A Clouded Yellow was seen and the first Gatekeeper are now on the wing.
Dragonflies
The 3 male Red-veined Darter and 3 Emperor Dragonfly remain along with 1000 Common Blue Damselfly, 20 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 20 Four-spotted Chaser, 15 Common Darter and 2 Brown Hawker.
Images
Male Red-veined Darter.


First autumnal Willow Warblers

10th July 2009 - bright and sunny NW3/4
Offshore
Remaining quiet with just a few Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern moving over the sea early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Two Willow Warbler were another sign of impending autumn migration.
Diurnal Migration
A solitary Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Singles of Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper were logged.

Odds and Ends

9th July 2009 - bright and sunny NW4/5
Offshore
Again remarkably quiet over the sea early morning with just small numbers of Gannet, Guillemot and Sandwich Tern logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 100 Redshank held 4 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Moths
Recent sightings include the migrant species Rush Veneer, Diamond-back Moth and Silver Y.

Just bits and pieces

8th July 2009 - sunny spells NW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0740-0840) were again slow with just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Sandwich Tern and Guillemot logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap provided another hint that autumn is not too far away.
Diurnal Migration
A lack of any breeding birds on the island this year suggests that 3 Sand Martin were on migration.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel and single Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A family party of 4 Little Owl were logged and a Peregrine was seen.

A quiet day

7th July 2009 - overcast/showers NW3/4
Offshore
The morning core count (0740-0840) produced the usual suspects for this time of the year although just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Sandwich Tern, Manx Shearwater and Kittiwake were logged.
Miscellaneous
Both Barn Owl and Little Owl were recorded early morning.

Red-veined Darter continue to show well

6th July 2009 - sunny spells S2/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) produced 85 Manx Shearwater and small numbers of Sandwich Tern, Gannet and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
A post-breeding flock of 250 Curlew held 2 Whimbrel while 10 Dunlin and 4 Sanderling were also logged.
Breeding Birds
Stonechat second broods are now fledging.
Dragonflies
The 3 male Red-veined Darter remain with 4 Emperor Dragonfly and 2 Brown Hawker and the first emerging Emerald Damselfly also recorded.

Autumn draws ever closer

5th July 2009 - sunshine and showers S2
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) provided 100 Common Scoter, 80 Manx Shearwater, 11 Gannet, 5 Sandwich Tern and single Kittiwake and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 11 Black-tailed Godwit and the first Common Sandpiper of the autumn.

Dragonflies take centre stage

4th July 2009 - sunshine and showers S1/2
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) were again dominated by Manx Shearwater with a total of 400 birds logged. Also seen were 29 Common Scoter and small numbers of Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Guillemot. Evening sightings included 10 Arctic Tern and 10 Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 40 Redshank, 3 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Butterflies
A Dark Green Fritillary was a scarce island record and a transect count included 220 Meadow Brown, 27 Small Heath and 22 Grayling.
Dragonflies
An exceptional day for the island saw a total of 3 Red-veined Darter - the first island records and 6 Emperor Dragonfly and 2 Black-tailed Skimmer - another island first - logged. Also seen were 650 Common Blue Damselfly, 50 Four-spotted Chaser, 40 Blue-tailed Damselfly and 21 Common Darter.

Morning update

3rd July 2009 - overcast E1
Offshore
Morning sightings (0615-0715) included 80 Common Scoter, 45 Manx Shearwater, 45 Sandwich Tern, 25 Gannet and 2 Common Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 3 Black-tailed Godwit flew south and an additional three were on the island.

Manx Shearwaters on the move

2nd July 2009 - bright and sunny E1/2
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0615-0715) were dominated by Manx Shearwaters with 390 birds logged. Also seen were small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Knot.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Raven were again logged.

More waders

1st July 2009 - early showers E1
Offshore
Just small numbers of Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Sandwich Tern and Guillemot were recorded early morning. A Fulmar patrolling Walney Channel was unusual.
Grounded Migrants
A Chiffchaff was the latest hint of the onset of southbound movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and a Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
Several Lesser Whitethroat continue to hold territory.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Raven were located.