Spring just round the corner?

29th February 2012 – overcast S1
Offshore
A group of 8 Shag were seen along with small numbers of Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A trickle of movement has been noticeable in the last few days with small numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Chaffinch logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and the flock of 35 Barnacle Geese are all still in residence. At least 4 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
Single Short-eared Owl and Little Owl were logged.
Ringing
Foreign recoveries are few and far between so a Willow Warbler controlled at South Walney on 25th April 2010 that had previously been ringed at Polderweg, Vlieland, THE NETHERLANDS (544km E) on 27th August 2008 is especially pleasing.

A couple of Sedge Warbler returns have recently been received. A young bird ringed at South Walney on 18th August 2011 was controlled at Lytchett Bay, Devon (375km SSE) on 24th August 2011 - just six days later. While an adult controlled at South Walney on 23rd April 2011 had previously been ringed at South Milton Ley, Devon (421km S) on 9th August 2010.

A Great Black-backed Gull ringed as a chick at South Walney on 17th June 1988 was found dead at Cockerham Sands, Lancashire (25km ESE) on 15th July 2010 - 22 years and 28 days after ringing and becomes the oldest Great Black-backed Gull to be ringed by the observatory. The pattern of occurrence of recoveries for this species suggests that few venture far from their natal colony.

One of the staple species caught on the island; a couple more interesting Greenfinch recoveries have been received. A young female ringed at South Walney on 1st October 2011 was found dead at Southport, Merseyside (45km SSE) on 25th October 2011 and a male ringed at South Walney on 2nd October 2011 was controlled at Over Kellet, Carnforth, Lancashire on 22nd October 2011.

A trio of interesting Goldfinch returns have been received. A male controlled at South Walney on 25th March 2011 had previously been ringed at Rawcliffe, Lancashire (29km SE) on 10th November 2010, while two young birds trapped and ringed at South Walney during autumn passage on 16th October 2010 were controlled at Baldwins Hill, East Grinstead, Surrey (397km SE) on 21st February 2011 and at Calf of Man, Isle of Man (105km W) on 28th March 2011 respectively.

A Canada Goose controlled at South Walney on 21st September 2010 had previously been ringed at Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria (40km NNE) on 27th September 2009, perhaps it had heard of the proposed cull to take place on Windermere.

First Gannet of the year appears offshore

25th February 2012 – sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning (0800-0900) produced the first Gannet of the year plus 18 Common Scoter and 4 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck, female Scaup and flock of 35 Barnacle Geese were still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 138 pale-bellied and a single dark-bellied bird.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret and around 20 Rock Pipit were logged.

Water Pipit reappears

23rd February 2012 – sunny spells then fog SW1
Rarities
A single Water Pipit was again amongst 30 Rock Pipit in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. Please view only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Wildfowl and Waders
The usual suspects remain, the female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and 35 Barnacle Geese are still in residence while the Brent Goose flock held 163 pale-bellied birds. At least 8 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
It was spring on the island briefly, Skylarks were all in song in the mid-morning sunshine, then the fog rolled in. A Raven also put in an appearance.

Colour-ringed Little Egret

19th February 2012 – bright and sunny NW3/4
Offshore
a check over the sea (0815-0915) produced 30 Red-breasted Merganser, 24 Red-throated Diver, 10 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
Single Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail gave the first hints of spring passage.
Wildfowl and Waders
Flocks of 153 pale-bellied Geese and 35 Barnacle Geese were logged. The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck are still in residence amongst 18 Goldeneye and waders included 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A couple of Little Owl and several Little Egret, including a colour ringed bird, were the best of the rest.

Old favourites

16th February 2012 – sunny spells W3
Offshore
The first check over the sea for a while (0815-0915) revealed small numbers of birds on the move with 34 Common Scoter, 27 Red-breasted Merganser, 17 Kittiwake, 4 Red-throated Diver and single Razorbill and Guillemot logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 150 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck and Goosander are still in residence and waders included 7 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl, 2 Raven and several Little Egrets were logged.

WeBS Counting

15th February 2012 – overcast NW4/5
Wildfowl and Waders
the monthly WeBS count for the island produced a good selection with 7900 Oystercatcher, 3834 Herring Gull, 2155 Dunlin, 1385 Redshank, 855 Curlew, 795 Wigeon, 770 Lapwing, 570 Golden Plover, 487 Teal, 343 Shelduck, 239 Grey Plover, 302 Turnstone, 150 Knot, 145 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 135 Black-headed Gull, 122 Mallard, 115 Great Black-backed Gull, 106 Bar-tailed Godwit, 100 Ringed Plover, 100 Sanderling, 69 Eider, 41 Pintail, 37 Cormorant, 35 Canada Goose, 30 Barnacle Goose, 24 Goldeneye, 24 Red-breasted Merganser, 24 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 21 Moorhen, 20 Snipe, 13 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Greenshank, 8 Shoveler, 6 Little Egret, 5 Common Scoter, 4 Mute Swan, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Greylag Goose and single Great Crested Grebe, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Black-tailed Godwit and Water Rail.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 80 Goldfinch were logged.

Winter specialities all still in residence

12th February 2012 – mist/fog/calm
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing appeared amongst an increased number of Song Thrush and Blackbird recorded and hinted at some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck, female Scaup and flock of 24 Barnacle Geese were still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 150 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 11 Greenshank, 8 Purple Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit. A Woodcock was further evidence of cold weather movement.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl and a flock of 80 Twite were logged.

Wildfowl dominate sightings

6th February 2012 – misty start then bright and sunny E1
Diurnal Migration
A total of 500 Pink-footed Geese headed south.
Grounded Migrants
A sprinkling of Song Thrush provided evidence of cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck and Scaup both remain, 27 Barnacle Geese and 124 pale-bellied Brent Geese were logged along with 23 Pintail. A Greenshank was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Owl and Peregrine were seen while finch flocks included 100 Twite and 20 Goldfinch.

Barnacle Geese arrive

5th February 2012 – misty/early frost/calm
Offshore
A check over the sea in poor visibility early morning produced 5 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A Song Thrush hinted at some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and female Scaup remain in residence while a flock of 24 Barnacle Geese were newly arrived. Waders included 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl and 11 Little Egret were logged along with a flock of 70 Twite.

Hen Harrier and White-fronted Geese

1st February 2012 – bright and frosty E2
Offshore
Small numbers of Common Scoter and Red-throated Diver were again offshore.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 15 Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew low over the island and several small skeins of Pink-footed Geese were also seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck and Scaup both remain and 43 pale-bellied Brent Geese were logged. Waders included 10 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hen Harrier put in another appearance and Little Egrets remain in residence along the eastern shore.