Sandwich Terns begin to build

31st March 2012 – overcast/calm
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning produced 25 Sandwich Terns and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst small numbers of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and Scaup both remain, waders included at least 4 Greenshank
Ringing
The ringing team got the season off to a good start with 149 birds of 19 species during the month, remarkably beating last years record breaking total by one! Individual species totals were as follows Goldcrest (44), Goldfinch (27), Chaffinch (16), Blackbird (11), Meadow Pipit (9), Robin (8), Greenfinch (8), Reed Bunting (6), Linnet (5), Song Thrush (3), Chiffchaff (2), House Sparrow (2), Dunnock (2), Sparrowhawk (1), Wren (1), Great Tit (1), Blue Tit (1), Willow Warbler (1), Yellowhammer (1).

Whooper Swan

30th March 2012 – overcast WNW3
Offshore
The sea provided 6 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Two Blackbird and single Mistle Thrush and Chiffchaff were all that could be mustered, although an influx of Goldfinch was evident.
Wildfowl and Waders
An adult Whooper Swan spent the day on the flooded fields.
Miscellaneous
Single Merlin and Little Egret were logged.

Osprey struggles through

29th March 2012 – hazy sun NW3/4/5
Offshore
A couple of early morning checks over the sea in low visibility provided just 12 Sandwich Tern and a solitary Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Rather thin on the ground with newly arrived birds limited to single Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff and Blackcap - the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Highlight of the day was an Osprey that struggled in off the sea, flew low across the island and then spent several hours roosting on the salt marsh at Rape Haw. Otherwise movement was limited to a single Siskin amongst a handful of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
At least two Little Egret remain.

First Willow Warbler arrives

28th March 2012 – bright and sunny ESE1
Offshore
A couple of checks over the sea provided just 2 Sandwich Tern and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of grounded birds included 5 Song Thrush, 4 Fieldfare, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler and single Wheatear, Blackbird, Blue Tit and Coal Tit – the latter scarce here, especially in spring.
Diurnal Migration
Three Lesser Redpoll and single Siskin and Rook were amongst 40 Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
At least one Little Egret remains.
Moths
Four Early Thorn and a Small Quaker were the highlights.

Weather too nice!

27th March 2012 – bright and sunny ESE1
Offshore
Early morning observations provided just 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The only obvious evidence of grounded birds involved 3 Wheatear, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and single White Wagtail and Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 19 Whooper Swan flew through and 2 Siskin and 8 Lesser Redpoll were amongst 50 Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck and 2 Scaup remain. Waders included 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Merlin and several Little Egret remain.
Moths
The best catch of the year so far included Small Quaker and Double-striped Pug – both new for the year.

First Sand Martin move through

26th March 2012 – bright and sunny ESE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A few grounded birds with 7 Redwing, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff and a Wheatear logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Sand Martin were the first of the year and 2 Lesser Redpoll were amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin appeared and a few Little Egret still remain.

Ring Ouzel takes top billing

25th March 2012 – hazy sunshine E1/2
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced a couple of Sandwich Terns.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded thrushes were led by a fine male Ring Ouzel amongst 3 Redwing, 3 Blackbird and a Fieldfare. Goldcrest also continue to move through with the latest wave of birds comprising entirely of females following the earlier influxes of males, also seen were 3 Chiffchaff but Wheatear were conspicuous by their absence.
Diurnal Migration
Three Siskin were logged amongst 100 Meadow Pipit and small numbers of Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 100 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain along with both Long-tailed Duck and 2 Scaup. Waders included at least 4 Greenshank
Moths
Both Clouded Drab and Hebrew Character were new for the year.

Slow going

21st March 2012 – overcast SW1
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 20 Kittiwake, 16 Common Scoter, 6 Gannet and single Red-throated Diver and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Goldcrest were the only obvious evidence of grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 20 Whooper Swan headed north along with 20 Meadow Pipit and 2 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 120 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least three Little Egret remain.

Migration again on hold

20th March 2012 – overcast SW3
Offshore
Observations were limited to a single Shag and small numbers of Common Scoter, Gannet, Kittiwake and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining thin on the ground and evidenced only by 6 Goldcrest and a Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Although wildfowl numbers continue to fall the specialities remain with 105 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Scaup and a Long-tailed Duck logged. Waders included 6 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least one Little Egret remains.

Sandwich Terns

19th March 2012 – bright and sunny W3
Offshore
Observations (0800-0900) produced 29 Kittiwake, 15 Common Scoter, 10 Common Gull, 7 Sandwich Tern, 6 Gannet, 2 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver and a female Goosander amongst 8 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
A complete block on newly grounded birds was evident with a solitary Goldcrest from yesterday’s influx the only bird logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 19 Whooper Swan flew through and 4 Siskin and 3 Pied Wagtail were amongst 60 Meadow Pipit.
Ringing
An adult female Reed Bunting ringed on the island on 13th August 2008 was trapped on the opposite side of Morecambe Bay at Heysham on 16th March 2012.

First Wheatears arrive

18th March 2012 – bright and sunny/calm then N3/4
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced just small numbers Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Goldcrest continue to pile through with a further 44 birds logged, also seen were 4 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff along with small numbers of Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Robin.
Diurnal Migration
Three Siskin were logged but Meadow Pipit passage was surprisingly absent.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 100 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail squealed.

Strong Goldcrest passage continues

17th March 2012 – showers/calm
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced 5 Shag and small numbers Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Goldcrest were again to the fore with 22 birds logged, also grounded were small numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin and Chaffinch
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a small passage of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail. A flock of 50 Whooper Swan headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and two female Scaup were again in residence. Waders included 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit
Miscellaneous
A trip off the island to look at a “funny gull” on Standing Tarn near Dalton-in-Furness revealed Cumbria’s second Laughing Gull
Images
First-winter Laughing Gull.


Further Goldcrest invasion

16th March 2012 – overcast SSE3
Offshore
For the first time in several days visibility allowed for a quick check of the sea but observations proved disappointing with just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Common Scoter logged.
Grounded Migrants
A further Goldcrest invasion was in evidence with 31 birds logged, also recorded were 2 Chiffchaff and a small influx of Blackbird and Robin.
Diurnal Migration
A slow but steady trickle of Meadow Pipit accompanied 3 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck remains and there are now 2 female Scaup amongst 11 Goldeneye. Waders included 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail squealed and several Little Egret were logged. The itinerant Twite flock held 60 birds.

Yellowhammer provides the excitement!

15th March 2012 – fog, mist, drizzle S1
Grounded Migrants
The day dawned with the island shrouded in fog and a Yellowhammer associating with Reed Buntings was the pick of newly grounded birds which also included a minimum 50 Goldcrest and 4 Fieldfare and 2 Chiffchaff amongst a sprinkling of Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
Despite the poor visibility 4 Siskin were on the move amongst a steady trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Greenshank was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A handful of Little Egret remain and a Water Rail was logged.
Images
Yellowhammer – although an occasional visitant, this is the first to be ringed on the island for over 20 years.


Passage begins to gather pace

14th March 2012 – overcast/calm, murky later
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver and a flock of 20 Pintail.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds were led by 14 Goldcrest and a scattering of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail as the murk closed in.
Diurnal Migration
Three skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 220 birds headed north and 140 Meadow Pipit and 26 Pied Wagtail were again on the move, also logged were 3 Siskin.
Miscellaneous
Raptors were represented by Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
Moths
Another Mottled Grey graced the moth traps.

First Chiffchaff arrive

13th March 2012 – overcast/calm
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds included the first 2 Chiffchaff of the year amongst a sprinkling of Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 80 Meadow Pipit, 4 Siskin and 2 Pied Wagtail moved through.
Miscellaneous
A few Little Egret continue to roam along the eastern shore.
Moths
After 73 nights continuous operation the moth traps finally yielded the first attractions of the year in the form of 3 Mottled Grey and a Common Quaker.

Twite and Short-eared Owl

12th March 2012 – overcast W1
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds included 5 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 30 Meadow Pipit and a single Pied Wagtail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wintering wildfowl and waders have decreased rapidly over the last few weeks but highlights of the monthly WeBS count involved: 3400 Eider, 2960 Oystercatcher, 1020 Redshank, 550 Knot, 530 Turnstone, 450 Dunlin, 438 Curlew, 270 Grey Plover, 205 Teal, 191 Shelduck, 153 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 150 Cormorant, 147 Wigeon, 56 Mallard, 45 Snipe, 22 Purple Sandpiper, 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Goldeneye, 6 Shoveler and 2 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl and 60 Twite were recorded.

Siskin start to move through

11th March 2012 – overcast drizzle at times NW1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced 5 Shag and small numbers Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A Goldcrest was amongst a small fall of Blackbirds.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a small passage of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and female Scaup were again in residence and the drake Gadwall remains. Waders included 7 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit
Ringing
One of the pale-bellied Brent Goose was found to be colour-ringed, initial investigations suggest that it was originally ringed in Iceland.

Water Pipit reappears

10th March 2012 – sunny spells W3/4
Rarities
The Water Pipit again appeared in the flooded horse paddocks and fields near Biggar as the high spring tides flooded the salt marshes.
Diurnal Migration
The trickle of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit continues.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and female Scaup were still in residence, the Brent Goose flock held 135 pale-bellied birds and a drake Gadwall was newly arrived. Waders included 10 Purple Sandpiper and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 16 Rock Pipit were also logged.

Long-tailed Duck and Short-eared Owl

6th March 2012 – sunny spells ESE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A single Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
The trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail continues.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and Scaup still remain and 30 pale-beelied Brent Geese were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl attracted the attentions of the wintering Kestrel.

Just bits and pieces

5th March 2012 – sunny spells NW4
Offshore
A small movement was noted offshore with 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Common Scoter seen early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Three Goldcrest were seen.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and 2 Jackdaw were on the move.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl and several Little Egret were recorded.

Further Goldcrest incursion

3rd March 2012 – rain at times S4/5
Grounded Migrants
A total of 9 Goldcrest were grounded along with small numbers of Greenfinch and Chaffinch.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck remain amongst 20 Goldeneye. Two Greenshank were logged.

Early Goldcrest incursion

2nd March 2012 – overcast and misty start then sunny SE1
Grounded Migrants
At least 10 Goldcrest were grounded by the early morning conditions along with small numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail are now on the move back north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and the flock of 35 Barnacle Geese are all still in residence.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret continue to show well along the eastern shore and a Peregrine was logged.