The one that almost got away

31st May 2013 – early mist/fog then sunny spells NW3/4
Rarities
Confirmation of a Red-spotted Bluethroat on the island on 20th May 2013 was finally established with the emergence of an image of the bird.
Offshore
Morning observations in deteriorating conditions (0730-0830) produced just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Sandwich Tern, Guillemot and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few Lesser Redpoll continue to move through.
Ringing
A total of 90 birds of 18 species were trapped and ringed during the month with finches heading the list. Individual species totals were as follows: Linnet (19), Goldfinch (15), Lesser Redpoll (12), Willow Warbler (10), Starling (9), Sedge Warbler (5), Chaffinch (3), Whitethroat (3), Dunnock (2), Woodpigeon (2), Reed Bunting (2), Wren (2), Goldcrest (1), Chiffchaff (1), Robin (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Blackcap (1) and Spotted Flycatcher (1).
Moths
Another reasonable catch produced 2 immigrant Diamond-back Moths while Common Swift and Bright-line Brown-eye were new for the year.
Images
Male Red-spotted Bluethroat (Barbara Murphy).

Hooded Crow and Spotted Flycatchers

30th May 2013 – early rain then sunny spells NW2
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) continued to produce just small numbers of the usual suspects with 20 Guillemot, 10 Gannet, 8 Manx Shearwater, 5 Razorbill, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake and a Fulmar logged.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of Spotted Flycatcher saw 5 birds logged along with 3 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow and House Martin was noted.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another itinerant appearance.
Moths
The best catch of the year so far produced 52 moths of 16 species. A Diamond-back was the only immigrant but Campion, Lychnis, Rustic Shoulder-knot and Marbled Coronet were all new for the year.

Common Buzzard!

29th May 2013 – sunny spells NE3
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) again produced just small numbers of the usual suspects with 22 Guillemot, 10 Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 4 Manx Shearwater, 4 Razorbill and single Common Scoter and Kittiwake logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
The trickle of Swallow continue and a Common Buzzard flew northeast over the island – the third record this spring but still no Osprey or Marsh Harrier.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Teal has returned from its sojourn to the breeding grounds .
Moths
A Knot Grass would appear to be just the third island record while The Spectacle was new for the year.

Arctic Skuas

27th May 2013 – rain S3/4
Offshore
Morning observations before the weather closed in were led by three Arctic Skua amongst 14 Common Scoter, 13 Sandwich Tern, 11 Manx Shearwater, 10 Gannet, 5 Razorbill, 3 Guillemot, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and single Little Tern and Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 70 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Knot and 4 Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
Post-breeding flocks of Starling are already beginning to form while Lapwing, Redshank, Goldfinch and Pied Wagtail are busy feeding young.

Willow Warbler Control

25th May 2013 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
Morning observations on the rising tide produced 44 Sandwich Tern, 44 Little Tern, 23 Gannet, 19 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua and single Red-throated Diver and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were thin on the ground with 11 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat logged.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow were again in evidence.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5000 Oystercatcher, 125 Curlew, 60 Sanderling, 8 Whimbrel, 8 Grey Plover and a Greenshank.
Ringing
A Willow Warbler was the third passerine control of the year.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.

Tern selection

24th May 2013 – bright and sunny NW4/5
Offshore
Morning observations on the rising tide (0900-1000) produced 36 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet, 13 Arctic Tern, 8 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Razorbill, 2 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern and single Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 9 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow were again in evidence.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Whimbrel was logged.
Moths
The moth trap attracted just 2 Brown Silver-line.

Last throes of spring part II

22nd May 2013 – bright and sunny NW4/5
Offshore
Morning observations (0815-0915) provided small numbers of the usual suspects with 38 Guillemot, 20 Common Scoter, 10 Razorbill, 9 Gannet, 6 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern and single Fulmar, Red-throated Diver and Manx Shearwater logged.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 7 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A single Lesser Redpoll was recorded and a trickle of Swallow were in evidence.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Whimbrel were seen.
Moths
The moth trap attracted a Poplar Hawkmoth.

Last throes of spring?

21st May 2013 – early showers then sunny spells NW2/3/4
Offshore
A group of 4 Little Tern provided the highlight.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat was amongst 25 Wheatear but otherwise just a solitary Willow Warbler was newly arrived.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 10 Lesser Redpoll were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was the pick of the waders and 2 drake Gadwall were recorded.
Moths
The first Small Elephant Hawkmoth have now emerged.

Spotted Flycatchers arrive

19th May 2013 – overcast/calm
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided little other than a handful of Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall was highlighted by the mass arrival of Spotted Flycatcher with 30 birds logged, also seen were 40 Wheatear, 35 Willow Warbler, 5 Whinchat, 3 Redstart, 3 Garden Warbler and single Blackcap and Cuckoo. However, totals of 33 Sedge Warbler and 26 Whitethroat probably included many local breeding birds.
Diurnal Migration
Three late Barnacle Geese and 80 Pink-footed Geese headed north while 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 House Martin and a Swift were amongst 140 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel and 50 Knot were the pick of the waders.
Moths
Shuttle-shaped Dart, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, Common Carpet and Cinnibar have now emerged.

Another quiet day

15th May 2013 – bright and sunny NW4
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) were limited to small numbers of Sandwich Tern, Gannet, Common Scoter, Manx Shearwater, Guillemot and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of sightings included 10 Lesser Redpoll, 7 Wheatear and single Whitethroat and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to trickle through.
Moths
Immigrants involved 2 Dark Sword-grass and a Silver Y while Flame Shoulder was also new for the year.

A quiet day

14th May 2013 – bright and sunny SW4
Offshore
Morning observations (0815-0915) were limited to 48 Arctic Tern, 27 Guillemot, 26 Sandwich Tern, 18 Gannet, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Manx Shearwater, 2 Razorbill and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Willow Warbler and 3 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2000 Dunlin, 150 Ringed Plover and a Whimbrel.
Mammals
A Fox strolling around in the daytime was an unwelcome record.

Still seawatching!

13th May 2013 – bright and sunny WSW5/6
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0930) were disappointing with just 105 Gannet, 58 Kittiwake, 40 Guillemot, 25 Sandwich Tern, 20 Manx Shearwater 20 Common Scoter, 10 Fulmar and 2 Red-throated Diver logged
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Willow Warbler and 2 Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was the best of the waders.
Breeding Birds
Three Reed Warbler are now back on territory.

Pomarine Skua

12th May 2013 – overcast rain soon SW4
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900 & 1045-1145) as the weather closed in were led by a single adult pale phase Pomarine Skua amongst 100 Gannet, 95 Manx Shearwater, 60 Kittiwake, 44 Guillemot, 19 Sandwich Tern, 10 Razorbill, 7 Arctic Tern and single Arctic Skua, Red-throated Diver, Fulmar and Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Just 3 Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A single Swift was the first of the year .
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2250 Dunlin, 130 Bar-tailed Godwit, 110 Ringed Plover and 12 Whimbrel.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was recorded.

More Seabirds

11th May 2013 – rain then heavy showers WSW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the falling tide (1300-1500) were rewarded with variety with 483 Manx Shearwater, 231 Gannet, 78 Sandwich Tern, 64 Arctic Tern, 55 Kittiwake, 42 Guillemot, 21 Little Tern, 6 Common Tern, 6 Razorbill, 5 Common Scoter, 3 Arctic Sklua and a Fulmar logged
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2120 Dunlin, 200 Turnstone, 150 Bar-tailed Godwit, 130 Ringed Plover, 40 Sanderling, 22 Grey Plover and 9 Whimbrel.
Mammals
A group of 10 Grey Seals were seen.

Long-tailed Skua brace

10th May 2013 – overcast, rain/drizzle at timesn SW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations, which provided intermittent periods of reasonable visibility amongst the low cloud and drizzle (0815-0915 & 1030-1130), were highlighted by 2 Long-tailed Skua moving out of the bay at 1115hrs and 2 Great Skua and 3 Arctic Skua amongst 205 Gannet, 200 Manx Shearwater, 84 Sandwich Tern, 33 Guillemot, 14 Razorbill, 8 Red-throated Diver, 7 Kittiwake, 3 Common Scoter and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Six Wheatear were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel.
Moths
The moth trap continues to be devoid of life.

Seabirds again to the fore

9th May 2013 – overcast/rain soon SE4/5
Offshore
Morning observations just prior to the rain (0800-0900) produced 32 Sandwich Tern, 20 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet, 10 Manx Shearwater, 7 Guillemot, and single Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Little Tern, Kittiwake and Razorbill
Grounded Migrants
A solitary Chiffchaff was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow came in off the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Whimbrel.
Moths
The moth trap was again devoid of life in what has been perhaps the worst spring ever!.

Lesser Redpoll control

8th May 2013 – overcast with rain/drizzle SE3
Offshore
Early morning between the showers produced 75 Sandwich Tern, 18 Gannet, 7 Little Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 3 Razorbill and single Arctic Skua and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a handful of Willow Warbler, Wheatear and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow when the weather relented around noon.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 1000 Dunlin, 72 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Whimbrel were the best of the waders.
Ringing
A Lesser Redpoll control was perhaps long overdue.
Moths
Brown Silver-line was new for the year.

Common Scoter on the move early morning

7th May 2013 – bright and sunny E1
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0830) produced totals of 335 Common Scoter, 275 Sandwich Tern, 15 Razorbill, 7 Red-throated Diver, 6 Arctic Tern, 4 Little Tern, 3 Common Tern and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
There was an overnight influx of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat into breeding areas and truly grounded birds included 14 Willow Warbler, 8 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow again dominated with a further 100 birds logged along with 12 Lesser Redpoll, 8 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Whimbrel was the best on offer.
Miscellaneous
A single Raven was the best of the rest.
Moths
The joint largest catch of the year so far comprised 4 Early Thorn and a Hebrew Character.

Diurnal migration peps up

6th May 2013 – sunny spells W3
Offshore
Morning observations (0745-0845) logged 164 Sandwich Tern, 155 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 14 Manx Shearwater, 12 Razorbill, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Guillemot, 7 Little Tern and 5 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A slight increase in the number of grounded birds produced 17 Wheatear, 6 White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow dominated with 100 birds logged, also seen wee 3 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel.
Butterflies
The first Green-veined White were on the wing.

Seabirds dominate sightings

5th May 2013 – overcast SW 3 then SW5/6
Offshore
Observations (0730-0800 & 0930-1200) produced totals of 212 Sandwich Tern, 140 Manx Shearwater, 76 Guillemot, 69 Kittiwake, 62 Razorbill, 23 Gannet, 19 Common Scoter, 18 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Arctic Tern, 10 Red-throated Diver, 8 Little Tern, 4 Shag and 3 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Just 5 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow were seen before the wind increased.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 250 Turnstone and 5 Whimbrel.

Yellow Wagtail

4th May 2013 – overcast, early drizzle W2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) produced 117 Common Scoter, 74 Sandwich Tern, 60 Arctic Tern – all in one flock, 56 Gannet, 16 Guillemot, 13 Kittiwake, 11 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill, 4 Common Tern and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were rather thin on the ground with just 9 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap and White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to 10 Lesser Redpoll and a Yellow Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
A pair of Gadwall were seen and waders included 4 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Single Raven, Barn Owl and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Moths
Dark Sword-grass was new for the year.

Goldfinch control

3rd May 2013 – overcast SW3
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) provided variety with 100 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 23 Razorbill, 21 Kittiwake, 15 Manx Shearwater, 9 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of many grounded birds with just 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Dunlin, 100 Turnstone and 80 Ringed Plover.
Ringing
Just a handful of Linnet and Goldfinch were ringed but they included a controlled bird.
Moths
The moth trap held 4 Early Thorn and the first Double-striped Pug of the year.

The morning after the day before!

2nd May 2013 – bright and sunny E1
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0830) 23 Sandwich Tern, 14 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Given that the conditions were not conducive to grounded birds a showing of just 12 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff was disappointing though not unexpected.
Diurnal Migration
Four Lesser Redpoll were the only species of note amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Scaup remain and waders included 15 Whimbrel.
Moths
The moth trap continues to be devoid of life – the worst start to the year that can be remembered!

Bee-eater star of the show

1st May 2013 – bright and sunny SW2/3
Rarities
An exceptional start to the month with a Bee-eater hawking over roadside horse paddocks at Biggar before drifting off low over the fields to the north.
Offshore
Morning observations (0715-0900) provided 72 Common Scoter, 46 Sandwich Tern, 36 Manx Shearwater, 34 Arctic Tern, 15 Razorbill, 11 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet and 4 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
As is typical on Walney when something exciting does turn up there was little else grounded. Additional sightings involved just 21 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and single Cuckoo, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. However, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler are now lightly dispersed in breeding localities across the island.
Diurnal Migration
Four Lesser Redpoll were the only species of note logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A few Teal continue to linger and waders included 6 Whimbrel.