Whinchat and House Martin arrive

30th April 2012 – bright and sunny E4/5
Offshore
A few seabirds were on the move with 38 Sandwich Tern, 21 Gannet, 4 Razorbill, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake and a Manx Shearwater recorded.
Grounded Migrants
An invasion of Wheatear was evident with 160 birds logged, amongst which were 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Whinchat, 2 White Wagtail and single Goldcrest, Robin, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Redstart.
Diurnal Migration
A steady stream of hirundines were coming in off the sea through the morning with 300 Swallow, 22 House Martin and 2 Sand Martin logged. A flock of 100 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Ringing
Despite the seemingly incessant wind from a northerly sector somehow a total of 157 birds of 15 species were ringed during the month. Individual species totals were as follows: Goldfinch (48), Linnet (45), Willow Warbler (25), Blackcap (12), Chiffchaff (5), Chaffinch (4), Greenfinch (4), Blue Tit (3), Redstart (3), Goldcrest (2), Reed Bunting (2), Meadow Pipit (1), Great Tit (1), Dunnock (1) and Siskin (1).

Grasshopper Warbler new in

27th April 2012 – bright and sunny NE2/1
Offshore
There was nothing of note seen over the sea apart from a handful of Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Four White Wagtail were amongst 20 Wheatear. Although grounded migrants remain at a premium a few birds have trickled through and are now settled in to breeding habitat on the island with 15 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Whimbrel were logged.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven toured the island.
Moths
Spectacle, Cabbage and Angle Shades were all new for the year.

First Common Tern of the year

26th April 2012 – overcast/showers NE2/3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea early morning (0830-0930) produced variety if not quantity with 100 Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, 26 Sandwich Tern, 11 Razorbill, 9 Manx Shearwater, 7 Arctic Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Common Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Single Blackcap and Redstart were amongst 18 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Meadow Pipit struggled through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two drake Gadwall, 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese and a pair of Wigeon were the pick of the wildfowl.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain.

Redstart and Green Sandpiper leads a meagre selection

24th April 2012 – overcast/calm the sunny W1
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning revealed just a few Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The trickle of migrants continues with 21 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush and single Redstart, Wheatear, Robin and Goldcrest logged.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1500 Knot, 8 Whimbrel and a Green Sandpiper.
Moths
The first Shuttle-shaped Dart materialised in the moth trap.

Passage reverts to a trickle

21st April 2012 – sunny spells NW3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea provided 150 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 5 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again just small numbers of migrants were in evidence with 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff and logged.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by single Sand Martin and Lesser Redpoll amongst a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock has dwindled to 40 pale-bellied birds and waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain.
Butterflies
Speckled Wood and Orange Tip are now on the wing.

Brambling, Redstart and Whitethroat

20th April 2012 –hazy sunshine NNW1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea provided 60 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall was evident early morning with 7 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Brambling and single Redwing, Redstart and Whitethroat amongst 45 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a further trickle of Swallow and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Black-tailed Godwit and 100 Golden Plover were the pick of the waders.
Moths
The first Brown Sliver-line appeared.

First Whimbrel begin to arrive

19th April 2012 –sunny spells N2
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide and calm seas (0845-0945) produced 100 Sandwich Tern, 50 Gannet, 26 Common Scoter, 16 Razorbill, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Great Skua.
Grounded Migrants

A total of 5 Wheatear were the only obvious migrants to trouble observers.
Wildfowl and Waders

A single Whimbrel was logged.
Miscellaneous

The Hooded Crow again put in a brief appearance.
Moths

A Chamomile Shark was the first moth to grace the traps for some time.
Late News
Reed Warbler - the earliest ever recorded on the island and Sedge Warbler.

Colour-ringed Turnstone

18th April 2012 –sunny spells ENE3/4
Offshore
Noticeably quieter today (0830-0930) with a single Arctic Tern and 2 Shag the highlight amongst 34 Razorbill, 33 Sandwich Tern, 16 Gannet, 10 Common Scoter, 7 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 4 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Meadow Pipit continue to struggle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 55 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included a single Greenshank, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit and 230 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Turnstone along the maritime shore had initially been ringed at Weston Shore, Southampton Water, Hampshire on 21st March 2009, it was seen again at the same location on 23rd July 2011 before appearing on Walney Island on 14th April 2012. This is the first time it has been seen in the UK away from its ringing site.

Offshore spectacular

17th April 2012 – overcast then sunny spells WSW4/5
Offshore
The day dawned to overcast skies and a fresh westerly wind following heavy overnight rain and morning observations (0830-1100) were highlighted by a Great Skua, 2 adult Little Gull, 3 dark phase Arctic Skua and a Puffin. Also seen were 18 Manx Shearwater and 12 Arctic Tern – both the first of the year, amongst 230 Kittiwake, 150 Razorbill, 120 Sandwich Tern, 115 Common Scoter, 110 Gannet, 100 Guillemot, 23 Fulmar, 11 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Gull and 2 Teal.
Grounded Migrants
Little evidence of many new arrivals although a Fieldfare was amongst a few Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and a flock of 1000 Knot were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow provided a further highlight of an excellent day which ended with a Short-eared Owl hunting over the island at dusk.
Ringing
The remains of a Whooper Swan found in a field at Biggar on 16th January 2012 had been ringed as a cygnet at Lake Brunnvatn, ICELAND (1440km NW) on 3rd August 2010.

Passage remains slow

16th April 2012 – bright and sunny ESE1
Offshore
Only a few Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Razorbill were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Although Wheatear increased to 20 birds it was generally quiet otherwise with a supporting cast of just 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few more Meadow Pipit were in evidence with 50 birds logged along with 5 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 50 pale-bellied birds and 400 Golden Plover were seen.
Butterflies
The first Peacock are now on the wing.

Short-eared Owl

15th April 2012 – bright and sunny NE2/3
Offshore
Again just small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Razorbill, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Although 16 Wheatear were logged sightings otherwise were limited to 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Seven Swallow and a Lesser Redpoll were amongst a further trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl was the highlight of the day.
Butterflies
The first Green-veined White are now on the wing.

Colour-ringed Sanderling

14th April 2012 – bright and sunny NE2/3
Offshore
Small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Birds remain sparse with 4 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler the best that could be mustered.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to 3 Swallow, 2 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 250 Turnstone, 80 Sanderling and 5 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Two Rook were an increasingly rare sight on the island while 2 Short-eared Owl were also logged.
Ringing
Two of the Sanderling mentioned above were colour-ringed and were ringed at Gardskagi, ICELAND on 15th May 2011 and Siglingamerki, Sandgeroi, ICELAND on 19th May 2011.

Swallow and Common Sandpiper

12th April 2012 – overcast then sunny calm then NW3/4
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
A brief overnight respite in the persistent north wind allowed a few summer migrants to filter through. Grounded birds included 12 Willow Warbler, 6 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and a Blackcap with additional Willow Warblers appearing back on territory in traditional breeding localities.
Diurnal Migration
The first 2 Swallow of the year and 2 Sand Martin were amongst 50 Meadow Pipit and a skein of 150 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 35 pale-bellied birds and the long-staying Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain in residence. Waders included the first Common Sandpiper of the year along with 440 Golden Plover and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was again the best of the rest.
Moths and Butterflies
A Red Sword Grass graced the moth trap and the first Small White are now on the wing.

First Fulmar of the year

10th April 2012 – sunny spells W5/6
Offshore
Seabirds were again to the fore with morning observations (0825-0925) providing 150 Kittiwake, 115 Gannet, 70 Common Scoter, 46 Razorbill, 22 Red-throated Diver, 22 Sandwich Tern, 7 Fulmar, 2 Guillemot and 2 Red-breasted Merganser logged.
Diurnal Migration
Despite the weather 50 Meadow Pipit flew in off the sea.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Little Egret remain.

WeBS counting

8th April 2012 – overcast/drizzle at times W2/3
Offshore
A flock of 120 Sandwich Tern and a single Red-throated Diver were the only birds of note.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Chiffchaff was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthly WeBS count provided 3780 Oystercatcher, 1252 Eider, 1243 Redshank, 780 Turnstone, 404 Curlew, 400 Golden Plover, 252 Shelduck, 130 Grey Plover, 104 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 90 Sanderling, 62 Knot, 55 Teal, 55 Mallard, 36 Dunlin, 33 Canada Goose, 22 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 16 Wigeon, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Ringed Plover, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Greenshank, 7 Moorhen, 6 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Greylag Goose and single Black-tailed Godwit, Coot, Scaup and Long-tailed Duck.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Remaining Quiet

7th April 2012 – overcast V1/2
Offshore
Just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining quiet with just 3 Chiffchaff and single Goldcrest and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 50 pale-bellied birds and 10 Purple Sandpiper were amongst 360 Turnstone.
Images
Purple Sandpiper.


Seabirds on the move

6th April 2012 – overcast WNW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0845-0945) produced 235 Sandwich Tern, 226 Common Scoter, 55 Razorbill, 33 Kittiwake, 31 Gannet, 11 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot and a drake Scaup.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin and 3 Rook were amongst small numbers of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 59 pale-bellied and 6 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least one colour-ringed Little Egret remains.

Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain

4th April 2012 – sunny spells NE5/6
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The current block on migration continues with just a single Chiffchaff logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain and the Brent Goose flock held 80 pale-bellied birds. At least one Greenshank remains.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was the best of the rest.