Pomarine Skua

19th January 2015 – bright and frosty/calm
Offshore
An evening check over the sea revealed a juvenile Pomarine Skua moving out of Morecambe Bay along with 22 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Razorbill and a Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Long-tailed Duck and 2 Scaup remain in residence.
Miscellaneous
At least 100 Twite flock remain and both Barn Owl and Little Owl hunted at dusk..

Snow Bunting

18th January 2015 – early fog and frost E1/2
Offshore
A check over the sea as the fog cleared produced 10 Shag and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Groups of 44 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Whooper Swan headed south and a Snow Bunting flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Long-tailed Duck and 2 Scaup remain in residence and waders included 8 Greenshank, 5 Purple Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was flushed out into the open by the frosty conditions.

Winter specialities remain

17th January 2015 – sunshine and hail W5/6
Offshore
A check over the sea produced 12 Shag, 10 Kittiwake, 4 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Long-tailed Duck and 2 Scaup remain in residence amongst 33 Goldeneye and waders included 2200 Knot, 10 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 32 Little Egret remain and the Twite flock held 100 birds.

Wildfowl and Waders

16th January 2015 – sunshine and snow showers NW5/6
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 45 Barnacle Geese dropped in. The 2 Long-tailed Duck remain in residence amongst 26 Goldeneye and were joined by 2 female Scaup. Waders included 2 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 60 Twite were logged and a Little Owl sheltered from the wind.

Bird Racing

11th January 2015 – overcast W7/8 rain later
Offshore
The sea provided little other than 7 Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Long-tailed Duck continue in residence and waders included Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The observatory again competed in the annual Cumbria Winter Bird Race and notwithstanding gale force winds and then a monsoon managed to amass 97 species, of which, 52 were seen on the island.

Long-tailed Ducks see in the New Year

4th January 2015 – overcast SE2
Offshore
A check over the sea produced 10 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and single Kittiwake and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning saw 4 Redwing grounded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Long-tailed Duck remain in residence amongst 31 Goldeneye and waders included 6 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 40 Little Egret remain and the Twite flock held 220 birds. Unusual wintering birds included 20 Tree Sparrow and a Grey Wagtail.