Red-necked Grebe

25th February 2013 – sunny spells NNE1/2
Offshore
A check of the calm sea was highlighted by a Red-necked Grebe amongst 24 Common Scoter, 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Barnacle Goose flock continued to hold 61 birds including the four colour-ringed indivduals while a Shelduck influx was evident.
Grounded Migrants
A single Blackbird was a leftover from yesterday.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 2 Raven remain and at least 5 Little Egret were logged.

Little change!

24th February 2013 overcast NE2
Offshore
The sea produced 25 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Common Scoter and 6 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Barnacle Goose flock again held 61 birds.
Grounded Migrants
The wintering Woodpigeon flock held 110 birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence while 2 Raven and 3 Little Egret were also logged.
Ringing
The Sanderling ringed at Siglingamerki, Sandgeroi, ICELAND on 19th May 2011 (1240km NW) reappeared.

Black Guillemot

23rd February 2013 – overcast E1/2
Offshore
A quick check over the sea revealed 37 Eider, 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Red-throated Diver and the highlight of the day a Black Guillemot that flew towards Morecambe Bay .
Wildfowl and Waders
The Barnacle Goose flock held 61 birds.
Grounded Migrants
Thrushes provided the only evidence of newly grounded birds with 2 Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance, a Water Rail called and a Barn Owl hunted.

Hooded Crow still in residence

21st February 2013 – overcast SE3/4
Offshore
The sea provided Red-throated Diver and Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A Song Thrush was the only indicator of any movement.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance. Birds of prey were well represented with Little Owl, Barn Owl, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine all logged.

Barnacle Geese and Scaup

16th February 2013 – sunny spells E1/2
Wildfowl and Waders
Geese dominated and included 63 Barnacle Geese, 11 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 12 dark-bellied Brent Geese while 4 Scaup and 4 Greenshank were also logged.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was the best of the rest.
Ringing
The Barnacle Goose flock held four colour-ringed birds including birds ringed at Ny Alesund, Svalbard on 11th August 1987 and 1st August 2005 and Caerlaverock on 3rd November 2006.

Barnacle Geese reappear

15th February 2013 – sunny spells S1/2
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 63 Barnacle Geese reappeared and a drake Scaup was logged
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 60 birds, the Hooded Crow was again seen and several Little Egret remain.

Little Auk

14th February 2013 – bright and sunny W3/4
Offshore
The first hint of westerlies for a while encouraged an early morning seawatch (0845-0945) and was rewarded by a Little Auk heading towards the mouth of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 80 Kittiwake, 25 Red-throated Diver, 9 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and single Gannet and Great Crested Grebe
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 80 pale-bellied birds.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was the only indicator of any movement.
Miscellaneous
A small group of 8 Twite were logged.

Rock Pipits Galore

11th February 2013 – sunny spells E4/5
Offshore
A solitary Red-throated Diver was the sole bird logged in a sweep of the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 157 pale-bellied birds while 2 Shoveler were seen.
Miscellaneous
The high tide pushed at least 36 Rock Pipit from the saltmarshes.

Short-eared Owl

10th February 2013 – rain E4
Offshore
Two Red-throated Diver were the best on offer.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 167 pale-bellied and 2 dark-bellied birds – one of which is considered, in some circles, to be a potential first-winter Black Brant.
Grounded Migrants
The wintering Woodpigeon flock held 300 birds and the Mistle Thrush was again present.
Miscellaneous
At least 7 Little Egret continue to roam the island and a Short-eared Owl was logged. The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Images
First-winter Black Brant?.

Hooded Crow and Barnacle Geese

9th February 2013 – overcast/mist/drizzle NE1/2
Offshore
A Shag was the pick of offshore sightings.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included: 40 Barnacle Geese, 168 pale-bellied Bent Geese and 3 Scaup while 7 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was perhaps evidence of movement.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl, 22 Twite and the long-staying Hooded all remain in residence.