28th November 2013 – overcast/calm
Offshore
A quick check of the sea for the first time in a while produced 44 Common Scoter, 10 Kittiwake, 3 Razorbill and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A trickle of finches is still in evidence with Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch all still appearing.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 120 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Ringing
Details of a colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit seen on the island on 25th July 2013 have just been received. The bird had initially been ringed at Farlington Marshes, Hampshire on 29th October 2009 and subsequently has been seen at several sites around Ijsselmeer in The Netherlands and along the south coast of England before appearing on Walney.
Recent Sightings
22nd November 2013 – sunny spells N1
Offshore
Small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Razorbill, Guillemot and Kittiwake continue to be seen.
Grounded Migrants
A trickle of Blackbird and Song Thrush contained a few Fieldfare while a Grey Wagtail was amongst small numbers of Pied Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
A sprinkling of Brambling were to be found amongst a light Chaffinch movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of pale-bellied Brent Geese continues to increase with 150 birds now present. A late Ruff and 1000 Knot were the pick of the waders.
Misccellaneous
Little Egret were seemingly everywhere and a mobile Twite flock increased to 50 birds.
Ringing
A Sanderling ringed at Iwik, Mauritania on 27th November 2011, where it was also present on 10th December 2012 and 16th January 2013, was seen on spring passage at Gourinet, France on 5th June 2013 before appearing on Walney Island on 15th June 2013. Subsequently the bird then reappeared at Iwik, Mauritania on 8th November 2013.
Offshore
Small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Razorbill, Guillemot and Kittiwake continue to be seen.
Grounded Migrants
A trickle of Blackbird and Song Thrush contained a few Fieldfare while a Grey Wagtail was amongst small numbers of Pied Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
A sprinkling of Brambling were to be found amongst a light Chaffinch movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of pale-bellied Brent Geese continues to increase with 150 birds now present. A late Ruff and 1000 Knot were the pick of the waders.
Misccellaneous
Little Egret were seemingly everywhere and a mobile Twite flock increased to 50 birds.
Ringing
A Sanderling ringed at Iwik, Mauritania on 27th November 2011, where it was also present on 10th December 2012 and 16th January 2013, was seen on spring passage at Gourinet, France on 5th June 2013 before appearing on Walney Island on 15th June 2013. Subsequently the bird then reappeared at Iwik, Mauritania on 8th November 2013.
Eastern Chiffchaff
18th November 2013 – overcast/calm showers later
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 10 Blackbird and 3 Song Thrush while a grey and white Chiffchaff with a “lost chick” call was presumably of eastern origin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A first-winter drake Scaup was recorded while a Purple Sandpiper was the best of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Three Water Rail called and raptors involved Merlin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 10 Blackbird and 3 Song Thrush while a grey and white Chiffchaff with a “lost chick” call was presumably of eastern origin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A first-winter drake Scaup was recorded while a Purple Sandpiper was the best of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Three Water Rail called and raptors involved Merlin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Woodpigeons on the move
17th November 2013 – overcast SE1, rain soon
Offshore
Four Great Crested Grebe and 2 Red-throated Diver were on the sea.
Grounded Migrants
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was unusual and 2 Goldcrest were also logged.
Diurnal Migration
Some evidence of movement with 400 Woodpigeon, 120 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of pale-bellied Brent Geesae increased to 144 individuals and waders included 10 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets continue to be prevalent the eastern shore and 40 Twite were seen.
Offshore
Four Great Crested Grebe and 2 Red-throated Diver were on the sea.
Grounded Migrants
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was unusual and 2 Goldcrest were also logged.
Diurnal Migration
Some evidence of movement with 400 Woodpigeon, 120 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of pale-bellied Brent Geesae increased to 144 individuals and waders included 10 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets continue to be prevalent the eastern shore and 40 Twite were seen.
Great Northern Diver
16th November 2013 – overcast W3
Offshore
The highlight was provided by a group of 5 Pochard which flew north, otherwise the sea provided 51 Common Scoter, 28 Kittiwake, 25 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 4 Red-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver.
Grounded Migrants
The trickle of Blackbird and Song Thrush continued.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 10 Chaffinch provided the only evidence of movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
A first-winter drake Scaup was seen while waders included 12 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail called and the Twite flock held 32 birds .
Offshore
The highlight was provided by a group of 5 Pochard which flew north, otherwise the sea provided 51 Common Scoter, 28 Kittiwake, 25 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 4 Red-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver.
Grounded Migrants
The trickle of Blackbird and Song Thrush continued.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 10 Chaffinch provided the only evidence of movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
A first-winter drake Scaup was seen while waders included 12 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail called and the Twite flock held 32 birds .
Snow Bunting double
15th November 2013 – overcast NW1
Offshore
Observations (0900-0930) provided 16 Common Scoter, 11 Shag, 6 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Two Snow Bunting were logged and early morning thrushes involved 20 Blackbird and 5 Song Thrush. A Goldcrest was also seen.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 7 Tree Sparrow were amongst small numbers of Chaffinch and Greenfinch.
Miscellaneous
Single Raven and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Ringing
The colour-ringed Sanderling ringed at Sandgerði, Iceland on 22nd May 2012 has returned to the island for a second winter.
Offshore
Observations (0900-0930) provided 16 Common Scoter, 11 Shag, 6 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Two Snow Bunting were logged and early morning thrushes involved 20 Blackbird and 5 Song Thrush. A Goldcrest was also seen.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 7 Tree Sparrow were amongst small numbers of Chaffinch and Greenfinch.
Miscellaneous
Single Raven and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Ringing
The colour-ringed Sanderling ringed at Sandgerði, Iceland on 22nd May 2012 has returned to the island for a second winter.
Yellowhammer headlines
10th November 2013 – bright and sunny/calm at last!
Offshore
A check over the sea revealed 5 Shag along with small numbers of Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Common Scoter and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 12 lackbird, 8 Song Thrush, 4 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing and a Mistle Thrush. Also seen were 3 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A light passage produced 160 Starling, 23 Chaffinch, 13 Greenfinch, 9 Tree Sparrow, 3 Whooper Swan and single Brambling and Yellowhammer.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included 13 Twite and both Merlin and Raven.
Butterflies
A Red Admiral was on the wing.
Ringing
The second Tree Sparrow control of the autumn intriguingly involved a bird ringed as a chick. A Goldfinch ringed earlier in the autumn reappeared across Morecambe Bay at Heysham.
Offshore
A check over the sea revealed 5 Shag along with small numbers of Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Common Scoter and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 12 lackbird, 8 Song Thrush, 4 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing and a Mistle Thrush. Also seen were 3 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A light passage produced 160 Starling, 23 Chaffinch, 13 Greenfinch, 9 Tree Sparrow, 3 Whooper Swan and single Brambling and Yellowhammer.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included 13 Twite and both Merlin and Raven.
Butterflies
A Red Admiral was on the wing.
Ringing
The second Tree Sparrow control of the autumn intriguingly involved a bird ringed as a chick. A Goldfinch ringed earlier in the autumn reappeared across Morecambe Bay at Heysham.
Black-throated Diver
7th November 2013 – overcast SW4/5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 46 Common Scoter, 16 Razorbill, 8 Kittiwake and a Gannet. Further observations on the falling tide added more interesting variety with a Black-throated Diver and 30 Common Scoter, 7 Scaup, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver and a drake Velvet Scoter logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Goldcrest was the only evidence suggestive of newly grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 30 Jackdaw was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was again amongst 55 Red-breasted Merganser and waders included 14 Greenshank and 10 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Single Hooded Crow and Raven were also recorded.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 46 Common Scoter, 16 Razorbill, 8 Kittiwake and a Gannet. Further observations on the falling tide added more interesting variety with a Black-throated Diver and 30 Common Scoter, 7 Scaup, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver and a drake Velvet Scoter logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Goldcrest was the only evidence suggestive of newly grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 30 Jackdaw was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was again amongst 55 Red-breasted Merganser and waders included 14 Greenshank and 10 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Single Hooded Crow and Raven were also recorded.
Great Northern Diver double
5th November 2013 – sunshine and showers N2/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) produced 105 Common Scoter, 12 Kittiwake, 9 Razorbill and 4 Red-throated Diver, however, observations on the falling tide were more productive with 4 Scaup, 2 Great Northern Diver and a Velvet Scoter all logged.
Grounded Migrants
Two Goldcrest appeared to be the only newly arrived birds.
Diurnal Migration
Wildfowl were on the move with 100 Pink-footed Geese and 18 Whooper Swan recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was amongst 51 Red-breasted Merganser and waders included 15 Greenshank and 11 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A mixed finch flock held 35 Linnet and 15 Twite.
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) produced 105 Common Scoter, 12 Kittiwake, 9 Razorbill and 4 Red-throated Diver, however, observations on the falling tide were more productive with 4 Scaup, 2 Great Northern Diver and a Velvet Scoter all logged.
Grounded Migrants
Two Goldcrest appeared to be the only newly arrived birds.
Diurnal Migration
Wildfowl were on the move with 100 Pink-footed Geese and 18 Whooper Swan recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was amongst 51 Red-breasted Merganser and waders included 15 Greenshank and 11 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A mixed finch flock held 35 Linnet and 15 Twite.
Mediterranean Gull
4th November 2013 – bright and sunny N1
Offshore
Early morning saw just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Razorbill on the move.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 11 Blackbird, 8 Song Thrush and 2 Redwing. A solitary Goldcrest was the only other evidence of newly grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
The calm conditions saw some movement early morning with 510 Pink-footed Geese, 140 Jackdaw, 15 Chaffinch, 5 Carrion Crow, 4 Whooper Swan, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Tree Sparrow and a Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock increased again with 120 pale-bellied birds recorded..
Miscellaneous
A second-winter Mediterranean Gull was unusual while Water Rail and Merlin were best of the rest.
Ringing
Recent controls involve Dunnock, Tree Sparrow and Lesser Redpoll.
Offshore
Early morning saw just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Razorbill on the move.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 11 Blackbird, 8 Song Thrush and 2 Redwing. A solitary Goldcrest was the only other evidence of newly grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
The calm conditions saw some movement early morning with 510 Pink-footed Geese, 140 Jackdaw, 15 Chaffinch, 5 Carrion Crow, 4 Whooper Swan, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Tree Sparrow and a Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock increased again with 120 pale-bellied birds recorded..
Miscellaneous
A second-winter Mediterranean Gull was unusual while Water Rail and Merlin were best of the rest.
Ringing
Recent controls involve Dunnock, Tree Sparrow and Lesser Redpoll.
Long-tailed Duck
3rd November 2013 – bright and sunny W5
Offshore
Observations (0730-0830) produced 56 Kittiwake, 40 Common Scoter, 32 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and 3 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Blackbird were the scant evidence of newly grounded birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female/immature Long-tailed Duck proved to be bird of the day while the Brent Goose flock increased to 100 pale-bellied individuals.
Miscellaneous
At least 43 Little Egret continue to roam the eastern shore.
Offshore
Observations (0730-0830) produced 56 Kittiwake, 40 Common Scoter, 32 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and 3 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Blackbird were the scant evidence of newly grounded birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female/immature Long-tailed Duck proved to be bird of the day while the Brent Goose flock increased to 100 pale-bellied individuals.
Miscellaneous
At least 43 Little Egret continue to roam the eastern shore.
Where were all the Greenfinches?
1st November 2013 – overcast SW4
Offshore
Observations (0800-0900) provided just 105 Common Scoter, 46 Kittiwake, 28 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 7 dark-bellied Brent Geese were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Ringing
October proved to be a disappointment with the wet and windy conditions not conducive to ringing, there were only four days when it did not rain. Consequently ringing totals were down with just 384 birds of 21 species ringed with totals reflecting the lack of Greenfinches throughout the autumn. Individual species totals were as follows: Goldfinch (85), Chaffinch (55), Greenfinch (43), Tree Sparrow (37), Robin (27), Wren (17), Dunnock (16), Meadow Pipit (16), Goldcrest (16), Blackbird (13), House Sparrow (12), Song Thrush (10), Redwing (9), Reed Bunting (8), Chiffchaff (7), Long-tailed Tit (7), Sparrowhawk (2), Great Tit (1), Blackcap (1), Lesser Redpoll (1) and Mealy Redpoll (1).
Offshore
Observations (0800-0900) provided just 105 Common Scoter, 46 Kittiwake, 28 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 7 dark-bellied Brent Geese were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Ringing
October proved to be a disappointment with the wet and windy conditions not conducive to ringing, there were only four days when it did not rain. Consequently ringing totals were down with just 384 birds of 21 species ringed with totals reflecting the lack of Greenfinches throughout the autumn. Individual species totals were as follows: Goldfinch (85), Chaffinch (55), Greenfinch (43), Tree Sparrow (37), Robin (27), Wren (17), Dunnock (16), Meadow Pipit (16), Goldcrest (16), Blackbird (13), House Sparrow (12), Song Thrush (10), Redwing (9), Reed Bunting (8), Chiffchaff (7), Long-tailed Tit (7), Sparrowhawk (2), Great Tit (1), Blackcap (1), Lesser Redpoll (1) and Mealy Redpoll (1).
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