31st December 2015 – rain at times SW6
Offshore
Two Little Gulls just managed to make it onto the year list, also seen (1000-1100) were 46 Kittiwake, 7 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 8 dark and one pale-bellied Brent Goose and 4 Shoveler. A group of 5 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The record 64 Little Egret are still in residence and at least one Tree Sparrow remains.
Ringing
December brought the poor ringing year (1305 birds handled in 2015 compared to 4713 in 2014) to an unspectacular end with just 33 birds of 8 species. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets), Goldfinch 4 (14), Chaffinch 3, Blackbird 2 (1), Song Thrush 1 (1), Wren 1, Reed Bunting (3), Robin (2) and Great Tit (1).
Water Pipits still in residence
30th December 2015 – rain SSE6/7
Rarities
At least 3 Water Pipits were again amongst 25 Rock Pipits and 6 Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane..
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock again held 204 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 530 Teal and 5 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
A Jay was the best of the rest.
Rarities
At least 3 Water Pipits were again amongst 25 Rock Pipits and 6 Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane..
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock again held 204 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 530 Teal and 5 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
A Jay was the best of the rest.
Water Pipits remain
29th December 2015 – sun and showers SSE4
Rarities
At least 2 Water Pipits were again amongst 20 Rock Pipits and 6 Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane..
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 112 Common Scoter and 3 Razorbill.
Rarities
At least 2 Water Pipits were again amongst 20 Rock Pipits and 6 Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane..
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 112 Common Scoter and 3 Razorbill.
More Water Pipits
28th December 2015 – overcast SSE5/6
Rarities
At least 3 Water Pipits were amongst 35 Rock Pipits, 20 Skylark and 4 Meadow Pipits in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane..
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 18 Pink-footed Geese moved south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 204 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 62 Barnacle Goose and 12 dark-bellied Brent Goose while 8 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Rarities
At least 3 Water Pipits were amongst 35 Rock Pipits, 20 Skylark and 4 Meadow Pipits in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane..
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 18 Pink-footed Geese moved south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 204 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 62 Barnacle Goose and 12 dark-bellied Brent Goose while 8 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Purple Sandpipers
27th December 2015 – bright and sunny SE1/2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea early moring revealed 20 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 30 Pink-footed Geese moved south.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 16 Purple Sandpiper were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Two overwintering Tree Sparrow were located.
Offshore
A check of the sea early moring revealed 20 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 30 Pink-footed Geese moved south.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 16 Purple Sandpiper were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Two overwintering Tree Sparrow were located.
Water Pipit
26th December 2015 – overcast/rain SE1
Rarities
A Water Pipit was amongst 20 Rock Pipit and 30 Skylark in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 175 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 5 Shoveler and 3 Pink-footed Geese.
Rarities
A Water Pipit was amongst 20 Rock Pipit and 30 Skylark in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 175 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 5 Shoveler and 3 Pink-footed Geese.
Record numbers of Little Egret overwinter
20th December 2015 – sun and showers SW4/5/6
Offshore
A little more activity than of late over the sea (0830-0930) with 174 Common Scoter, 5 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Kittiwake logged.
Miscellaneous
A record 64 Little Egret were in winter residence while 20 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Coal Tit were also recorded.
Offshore
A little more activity than of late over the sea (0830-0930) with 174 Common Scoter, 5 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Kittiwake logged.
Miscellaneous
A record 64 Little Egret were in winter residence while 20 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Coal Tit were also recorded.
Great Northern Diver still in residence
19th December 2015 – rain clearing to showers SW1/2/3
Offshore
A check of the maritime shore revealed just 6 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver, however, a Great Northern Diver remained along the sheltered eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 3800 Eider, 65 dark-bellied Brent Goose and 8 Shoveler while Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Offshore
A check of the maritime shore revealed just 6 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver, however, a Great Northern Diver remained along the sheltered eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 3800 Eider, 65 dark-bellied Brent Goose and 8 Shoveler while Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Velvet Scoter
13th December 2015 – overcast/early frost/rain later SE1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0855-0955) saw birds taking advantage of the lull in the weather with 50 Red-throated Diver, 23 Common Scoter, 18 Shag, 12 Razorbill, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Goosander logged. Later two female Velvet Scoter were found sheltering on the eastern side of the island at high tide.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 285 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Yellowhammer was an unexpected bonus. A Merlin continues to hunt the island though a dead Short-eared Owl was a likely victim of the recent wet and windy weather.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0855-0955) saw birds taking advantage of the lull in the weather with 50 Red-throated Diver, 23 Common Scoter, 18 Shag, 12 Razorbill, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Goosander logged. Later two female Velvet Scoter were found sheltering on the eastern side of the island at high tide.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 285 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Yellowhammer was an unexpected bonus. A Merlin continues to hunt the island though a dead Short-eared Owl was a likely victim of the recent wet and windy weather.
Wildfowl and waders in the rain
12th December 2015 – overcast/rain E4
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 98 pale-bellied and a single dark bellied bird. Waders included 1100 Golden Plover, 1040 Redshank 7 Greenshank and 7 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret remain prominent across the island with around 60 birds present.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 98 pale-bellied and a single dark bellied bird. Waders included 1100 Golden Plover, 1040 Redshank 7 Greenshank and 7 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret remain prominent across the island with around 60 birds present.
Great Northern Diver
4th December 2015 – sunny spells/rain by evening SW4/5/6
Offshore
A Great Northern Diver sheltered in the lee of the island off the eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup remains while waders included 5 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret remain prominent across the island with 60 birds logged.
Offshore
A Great Northern Diver sheltered in the lee of the island off the eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Scaup remains while waders included 5 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret remain prominent across the island with 60 birds logged.
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