21st February 2016 – rain SW4/5
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) revealed an adult Little Gull but nothing else of note.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 16 pale-bellied and 5 dark-bellied Brent Goose. A single Greenshank was seen.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 15 Twite were the best of the rest.
A wet day!
20th February 2016 – rain SW4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced a northbound flock of 54 Pintail but otherwise only single Kittiwake and Red-throated Diver were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Geese included 53 dark-bellied Brent Goose and 35 Barnacle Goose while 3 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on territory continues to increase.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced a northbound flock of 54 Pintail but otherwise only single Kittiwake and Red-throated Diver were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Geese included 53 dark-bellied Brent Goose and 35 Barnacle Goose while 3 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on territory continues to increase.
Water Pipits again
14th February 2016 – sunny spells NNE2/3
Rarities
At least 2 Water Pipits were again in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane over the tide along with 40 Rock Pipit.
Offshore
Morning observations (0815-0915) revealed 21 Red-throated Diver and 11 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 1700 Knot was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.
Rarities
At least 2 Water Pipits were again in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane over the tide along with 40 Rock Pipit.
Offshore
Morning observations (0815-0915) revealed 21 Red-throated Diver and 11 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 1700 Knot was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.
Pink footed Geese on the move
13th February 2016 – sunny spells NE3
Offshore
A few Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 100 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Purple Sandpiper were logged.
Ringing
The Icelandic colour-ringed Oystercatcher seen earlier in the winter is still present on the island.
Offshore
A few Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 100 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Purple Sandpiper were logged.
Ringing
The Icelandic colour-ringed Oystercatcher seen earlier in the winter is still present on the island.
Water Pipits reappear
12th February 2016 – sun and showers/SE2
Rarities
The latest round of high tides saw the re-emergence of the Water Pipits from the salt marsh to the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane. At least 3 birds were present amongst 170 Skylark, 35 Rock Pipit and 10 Meadow Pipit.
Offshore
A few Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held a record 230 pale-bellied birds, while a Greenshank was the best of the waders recorded.
Ringing
Two colour-ringed Rock Pipit were amongst the 35 birds present – it is likely that both these birds were originally ringed on Bardsey Island.
Rarities
The latest round of high tides saw the re-emergence of the Water Pipits from the salt marsh to the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane. At least 3 birds were present amongst 170 Skylark, 35 Rock Pipit and 10 Meadow Pipit.
Offshore
A few Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held a record 230 pale-bellied birds, while a Greenshank was the best of the waders recorded.
Ringing
Two colour-ringed Rock Pipit were amongst the 35 birds present – it is likely that both these birds were originally ringed on Bardsey Island.
Glaucous Gull
11th February 2016 – sun and showers/calm
Offshore
An evening check of the sea produced 20 Shag, 20 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Red-throated Diver. A Slavonian Grebe was in the mouth of Morecambe Bay.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 female Scaup remain and additional wildfowl included 80 Barnacle Goose and 19 pale-bellied Brent Goose. A Woodcock was newly arrived and other waders included 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Glaucous Gull was a good find while at least 45 Little Egret remain.
Offshore
An evening check of the sea produced 20 Shag, 20 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Red-throated Diver. A Slavonian Grebe was in the mouth of Morecambe Bay.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 female Scaup remain and additional wildfowl included 80 Barnacle Goose and 19 pale-bellied Brent Goose. A Woodcock was newly arrived and other waders included 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Glaucous Gull was a good find while at least 45 Little Egret remain.
More Little Gulls
7th February 2016 – sun and showers SW4/5
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0800-0930) revealed 60 Common Scoter, 15 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Little Gull (all adults) and 3 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 female Scaup remain and additional wildfowl included 139 pale-bellied Bent Goose and 62 Barnacle Goose. Waders included 3000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
Several Raven were logged.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0800-0930) revealed 60 Common Scoter, 15 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Little Gull (all adults) and 3 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 female Scaup remain and additional wildfowl included 139 pale-bellied Bent Goose and 62 Barnacle Goose. Waders included 3000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
Several Raven were logged.
Little Gull
6th February 2016 – overcast/rain SE3/4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (1100-1200) produced 5 Red-throated Diver and an adult Little Gull.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 female Scaup remain and additional wildfowl included 63 pale-bellied and 3 dark-bellied Bent Goose and 62 Barnacle Goose. Waders included 3000 Knot and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 70 Twite were stalked by a Merlin and a Peregrine was also recorded. The numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gull on territory begin to build.
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (1100-1200) produced 5 Red-throated Diver and an adult Little Gull.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 female Scaup remain and additional wildfowl included 63 pale-bellied and 3 dark-bellied Bent Goose and 62 Barnacle Goose. Waders included 3000 Knot and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 70 Twite were stalked by a Merlin and a Peregrine was also recorded. The numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gull on territory begin to build.
Evening seawatch
4th February 2016 – overcast/showers W4 then SW1
Offshore
An evening check of the sea (1520-1620) as the wind finally abated to provide relatively calm seas revealed: 46 Red-throated Diver, 10 Razorbill, 8 Common Scoter, 8 Kittiwake and 4 Little Gull (3 adults + first-winter).
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets remain prominent.
Offshore
An evening check of the sea (1520-1620) as the wind finally abated to provide relatively calm seas revealed: 46 Red-throated Diver, 10 Razorbill, 8 Common Scoter, 8 Kittiwake and 4 Little Gull (3 adults + first-winter).
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets remain prominent.
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