31st March 2017 – sunny spells S4/3/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea on the rising tide (1230-1330) produced a female Velvet Scoter amongst 20 Gannet, 16 Common Scoter, 10 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Guillemot and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of birds were logged including 28 Redwing, 10 Blackbird, 6 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
The first 6 Sand Martin of the year flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 270 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 650 Golden Plover, 8 Black-tailed Godwit and a Jack Snipe amongst 25 Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.
Ringing
A good start to the year saw 187 birds of 19 species handled. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets). Blackbird 36, (2), Goldfinch 28, (16), House Sparrow 13, (3), Chaffinch 10, Goldcrest 9, Greenfinch 8, (13), Redwing 6, Robin 6, (1), Reed Bunting 4, (7), Siskin 3, Dunnock 2, (7), Song Thrush 2, (2), Great Tit 2, Woodcock 1, Chiffchaff 1, Lesser Redpoll 1, Linnet 1, (1), Blue Tit (1), Wren (1)
First Sandwich Terns arrive
26th March 2017 – bright and sunny ENE1
Offshore
The sea provided the first 6 Sandwich Tern of the year along with 8 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Shag and 2 Pintail.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 11 Goldcrest and 2 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
Northbound passage included 165 Pink-footed Geese, 40 Meadow Pipit, 8 Whooper Swan and 2 Tree Sparrow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 340 pale-bellied and 60 dark-bellied birds. Four Barnacle Geese remain and the redhead Goosander put in another appearance. The drake Gadwall remains amongst 14 Shoveler. Waders included 14 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.
Butterflies
Both Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock were again on the wing.
Offshore
The sea provided the first 6 Sandwich Tern of the year along with 8 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Shag and 2 Pintail.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 11 Goldcrest and 2 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
Northbound passage included 165 Pink-footed Geese, 40 Meadow Pipit, 8 Whooper Swan and 2 Tree Sparrow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 340 pale-bellied and 60 dark-bellied birds. Four Barnacle Geese remain and the redhead Goosander put in another appearance. The drake Gadwall remains amongst 14 Shoveler. Waders included 14 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.
Butterflies
Both Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock were again on the wing.
Some movement evident
25th March 2017 – bright and sunny NE1
Offshore
A check of the sea provided 37 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 5 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Northbound passage included 240 Pink-footed Geese, 80 Meadow Pipit, 36 Whooper Swan and 3 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 250 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
Water Rail, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 Long-tailed Tit were the best of the rest.
Butterflies
Both Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock have now emerged.
Offshore
A check of the sea provided 37 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 5 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Northbound passage included 240 Pink-footed Geese, 80 Meadow Pipit, 36 Whooper Swan and 3 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 250 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
Water Rail, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 Long-tailed Tit were the best of the rest.
Butterflies
Both Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock have now emerged.
A horrible day with snow turning to rain
22nd March 2017 – overcast with snow turning to rain ENE3
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and Razorbill .
Diurnal Migration
A herd of 32 Whooper Swan headed north and small numbers of Meadow Pipit struggled in off the sea .
Miscellaneous
A group of 20 Little Egret congregated towards dusk.
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and Razorbill .
Diurnal Migration
A herd of 32 Whooper Swan headed north and small numbers of Meadow Pipit struggled in off the sea .
Miscellaneous
A group of 20 Little Egret congregated towards dusk.
Gadwall added to year list
18th March 2017 – overcast/drizzle/rain WSW3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0830-0930) produced 150 Kittiwake, 16 Common Scoter, 10 Gannet and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Gadwall was amongst 16 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret were logged.
Moths
Another Dark Sword-grass graced the moth trap.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0830-0930) produced 150 Kittiwake, 16 Common Scoter, 10 Gannet and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Gadwall was amongst 16 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret were logged.
Moths
Another Dark Sword-grass graced the moth trap.
A few migrants - though moths outnumber the birds!
15th March 2017 – sunny spells S2/1
Grounded Migrants
A few Goldcrest and Stonechat were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to small numbers of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 200 pale-bellied birds and the 4 Barnacle Geese remain. Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank.
Moths
After 74 nights of continuous operation the moth trap finally burst into life with 5 Dark Sword-grass attracted overnight.
Grounded Migrants
A few Goldcrest and Stonechat were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to small numbers of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 200 pale-bellied birds and the 4 Barnacle Geese remain. Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank.
Moths
After 74 nights of continuous operation the moth trap finally burst into life with 5 Dark Sword-grass attracted overnight.
First fall of the spring
12th March 2017 – overcast/mist/murk/calm
Grounded Migrants
The first fall of the spring provided 84 Redwing, 60 Blackbird, 37 Fieldfare, 22 Goldcrest, 6 Stonechat, 6 Robin, 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
In comparison the skies were quiet with just single Grey Wagtail and Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Woodcock was part of the day’s fall.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was again the best of the rest.
Grounded Migrants
The first fall of the spring provided 84 Redwing, 60 Blackbird, 37 Fieldfare, 22 Goldcrest, 6 Stonechat, 6 Robin, 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
In comparison the skies were quiet with just single Grey Wagtail and Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Woodcock was part of the day’s fall.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was again the best of the rest.
First Wheatear arrives
11th March 2017 – overcast/mist/murk/calm
Grounded Migrants
The first Wheatear of the spring was logged amongst 4 Goldcrest, 3 Redwing and single Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
The busiest day of spring so far in the skies with 35 Siskin, 8 Grey Wagtail and 3 Fieldfare recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 350 pale-bellied and 74 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 6000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Grounded Migrants
The first Wheatear of the spring was logged amongst 4 Goldcrest, 3 Redwing and single Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
The busiest day of spring so far in the skies with 35 Siskin, 8 Grey Wagtail and 3 Fieldfare recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 350 pale-bellied and 74 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 6000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
First Goldcrest of the spring
8th March 2017 – sunny spells S2
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again showing well in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar late afternoon.
Grounded Migrants
The first Goldcrest of the spring was logged and a Stonechat was perhaps newly arrived .
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Raven were seen.
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again showing well in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar late afternoon.
Grounded Migrants
The first Goldcrest of the spring was logged and a Stonechat was perhaps newly arrived .
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Raven were seen.
Water Pipit continues to perform
7th March 2017 – sunny spells S2
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again showing well in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 4 Barnacle Geese remain.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included a flock of 20 Twite and 4 Raven.
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again showing well in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 4 Barnacle Geese remain.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included a flock of 20 Twite and 4 Raven.
Further hints of spring migration
5th March 2017 – overcast/rain soon SE3/4
Offshore
The sea provided 35 Common Scoter, 10 Shag, 6 Red-throated Diver and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A small Greenfinch influx was apparent.
Diurnal Migration
A Grey Wagtail flew through.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets remain prominent.
Offshore
The sea provided 35 Common Scoter, 10 Shag, 6 Red-throated Diver and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A small Greenfinch influx was apparent.
Diurnal Migration
A Grey Wagtail flew through.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets remain prominent.
Water Pipit brace
4th March 2017 – sunny spells SE2
Rarities
Single Water Pipits were showing well in the flooded horse paddocks at both Biggar Bank and Biggar.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea revealed just 10 Shag, 4 Common Scoter and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Siskin flew through amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 316 pale-bellied and 81 dark-bellied birds. Waders included single Woodcock and Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail, 2 Barn Owl and 3 Raven were the best of the rest.
Rarities
Single Water Pipits were showing well in the flooded horse paddocks at both Biggar Bank and Biggar.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea revealed just 10 Shag, 4 Common Scoter and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Siskin flew through amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 316 pale-bellied and 81 dark-bellied birds. Waders included single Woodcock and Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail, 2 Barn Owl and 3 Raven were the best of the rest.
Goosander
3rd March 2017 overcast/rain later SE3/4
Grounded Migrants
The first small Meadow Pipit influx of the year was apparent.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was logged and the Brent Goose flock held 300 pale-bellied and 46 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 800 Golden Plover and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.
Grounded Migrants
The first small Meadow Pipit influx of the year was apparent.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was logged and the Brent Goose flock held 300 pale-bellied and 46 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 800 Golden Plover and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.
Water Pipit still present
1st March 2017 sun and showers WSW2/3
Rarities
The latest round of high tides again pushed a single Water Pipit from the salt marsh. The bird was feeding late afternoon in the flooded horse paddocks along Biggar Bank with 10 Meadow Pipit and 2 Rock Pipit.
Offshore
An afternoon check of the sea revealed 12 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Miscellaneous
A small group of 8 Twite were the best of the rest.
Rarities
The latest round of high tides again pushed a single Water Pipit from the salt marsh. The bird was feeding late afternoon in the flooded horse paddocks along Biggar Bank with 10 Meadow Pipit and 2 Rock Pipit.
Offshore
An afternoon check of the sea revealed 12 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Miscellaneous
A small group of 8 Twite were the best of the rest.
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