15th December 2011 – sunshine and showers W2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea on the rising tide (1015-1115) produced 2 adult Little Gull and 2 Arctic Skua amongst 480 Kittiwake, 21 Red-throated Diver, 14 Common Scoter and 8 Shag.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 8 Whooper Swan and a Brambling were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
Just 10 pale-bellied Brent Geese were logged but the Long-tailed Duck remains.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets continue to show well along the eastern shore.
Brent Geese continue to set records
12th December 2011 – sunshine and showers W4
Offshore
A check over the sea on the rising tide (0930-1030) produced single Gannet and Fulmar amongst 67 Razorbill, 46 Kittiwake, 25 Common Scoter and 13 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held a record 165 pale-bellied birds and highlights of the monthly WeBS count were 3370 Oystercatcher, 3050 Knot, 1825 Dunlin, 1400 Golden Plover, 1245 Redshank, 1095 Lapwing, 760 Wigeon, 622 Curlew, 598 Teal, 230 Turnstone, 163 Shelduck, 140 Sanderling, 120 Ringed Plover, 98 Grey Plover, 55 Pintail, 49 Red-breasted Merganser, 34 Snipe, 22 Goldeneye, and 6 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Peregrine and Merlin continue to hunt the island.
Offshore
A check over the sea on the rising tide (0930-1030) produced single Gannet and Fulmar amongst 67 Razorbill, 46 Kittiwake, 25 Common Scoter and 13 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held a record 165 pale-bellied birds and highlights of the monthly WeBS count were 3370 Oystercatcher, 3050 Knot, 1825 Dunlin, 1400 Golden Plover, 1245 Redshank, 1095 Lapwing, 760 Wigeon, 622 Curlew, 598 Teal, 230 Turnstone, 163 Shelduck, 140 Sanderling, 120 Ringed Plover, 98 Grey Plover, 55 Pintail, 49 Red-breasted Merganser, 34 Snipe, 22 Goldeneye, and 6 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Peregrine and Merlin continue to hunt the island.
Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck and Mediterranean Gull
11th December 2011 – rain at times SW3
Offshore
Highlights involved an adult Mediterranean Gull and a female Velvet Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck remains in residence and waders included 26 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 92 birds and a Merlin was logged. At least 21 Little Egret remain in residence along the eastern shore
Offshore
Highlights involved an adult Mediterranean Gull and a female Velvet Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck remains in residence and waders included 26 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 92 birds and a Merlin was logged. At least 21 Little Egret remain in residence along the eastern shore
Goosander added to year list
10th December 2011 – sunny spells W4/5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide saw 2 adult Little Gulls amongst small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Whooper Swan and Goosander and 157 pale-bellied Brent Geese were amongst good numbers of wildfowl. Waders included 22 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Both Barn Owl and Littlev Owl were hunting the island at dawn and a flock of 40 Twite were logged.
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide saw 2 adult Little Gulls amongst small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Whooper Swan and Goosander and 157 pale-bellied Brent Geese were amongst good numbers of wildfowl. Waders included 22 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Both Barn Owl and Littlev Owl were hunting the island at dawn and a flock of 40 Twite were logged.
Snow Bunting finally added to year list
6th December 2011 – overcast/heavy hail showers NW2
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide produced 22 Razorbill and 10 Red-throated Diver along with a few Kittiwake, Common Scoter and Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Whooper Swan flew through.
Grounded Migrants
A very confiding Snow Bunting which was new for the year and a solitary Fieldfare were perhaps the first evidence of the start of some cold weather movement.
Miscellaneous
A group of 30 Twite were logged and 2 Raven flew over.
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide produced 22 Razorbill and 10 Red-throated Diver along with a few Kittiwake, Common Scoter and Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Whooper Swan flew through.
Grounded Migrants
A very confiding Snow Bunting which was new for the year and a solitary Fieldfare were perhaps the first evidence of the start of some cold weather movement.
Miscellaneous
A group of 30 Twite were logged and 2 Raven flew over.
Gales finally yield a Grey Phalarope
4th December 2011 – overcast W4/5
Rarities
The persistent westerly winds of recent days finally yielded a Grey Phalarope which appeared on the gate pool at South Walney Nature Reserve.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0820-0920) were led by a drake Velvet Scoter amongst 27 Razorbill, 21 Kittiwake, 9 Common Scoter and single Red-throated Diver, Goldeneye and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 120 pale-bellied and 10 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A Raven tormented the Little Egret population.
Images
Grey Phalarope
Rarities
The persistent westerly winds of recent days finally yielded a Grey Phalarope which appeared on the gate pool at South Walney Nature Reserve.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0820-0920) were led by a drake Velvet Scoter amongst 27 Razorbill, 21 Kittiwake, 9 Common Scoter and single Red-throated Diver, Goldeneye and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 120 pale-bellied and 10 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A Raven tormented the Little Egret population.
Images
Grey Phalarope
Late seabirds
1st December 2011 – sunny spells W4/5
Rarities
The Water Pipit again showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and keep out of the private fields.
Offshore
Heavy overnight rain and gales initiated a quick seawatch off the western shore (0830-0930) which produced a late Arctic Skua and Gannet amongst 160 Kittiwake, 14 Razorbill, 10 Common Scoter, 4 Shag, 4 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
Rarities
The Water Pipit again showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and keep out of the private fields.
Offshore
Heavy overnight rain and gales initiated a quick seawatch off the western shore (0830-0930) which produced a late Arctic Skua and Gannet amongst 160 Kittiwake, 14 Razorbill, 10 Common Scoter, 4 Shag, 4 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
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