31st December 2017 – sunny spells W5/6
Offshore
The eastern shore provided a single Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup remain and waders included 5000 Knot, 1000 Dunlin and 130 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 60 were logged.
Ringing
A total of 63 birds of 13 species were handled during December. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets): Goldfinch 13 (7), House Sparrow 8 (3), Chaffinch 6, Song Thrush 5, Greenfinch 4 (1), Blackbird 4 (1), Tree Sparrow 1, Blackcap 1, Starling 1, Blue Tit 1, (2), Reed Bunting 1 (1), Dunnock 1 (1) and Robin (1).
Great Northern Diver
29th December 2017 – rain at times SW4
Offshore
The eastern shore provided single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup remain and the Brent Goose flock held 150 pale-bellied and 6 dark-bellied birds. Waders included a single Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Twite remain.
Offshore
The eastern shore provided single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup remain and the Brent Goose flock held 150 pale-bellied and 6 dark-bellied birds. Waders included a single Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Twite remain.
Glaucous Gull
28th December 2017 – sun a showers/sleet and snow NW4
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup remain and waders included a single Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile/first-winter Glaucous Gull was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup remain and waders included a single Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile/first-winter Glaucous Gull was logged.
More cold weather movement
22nd December 2017 – mist/murk/fog/drizzle/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea (1430-1500) revealed 10 Red-throated Diver and 3 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of cold weather movement was provided by a Woodcock amongst 4 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup was joined by a male and the Brent Goose flock held 110 pale-bellied and 40 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 1000 Knot, 2 Purple Sandpiper and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Twite and 2 Tree Sparrow were seen. A Water Rail was logged.
Offshore
A check of the sea (1430-1500) revealed 10 Red-throated Diver and 3 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of cold weather movement was provided by a Woodcock amongst 4 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup was joined by a male and the Brent Goose flock held 110 pale-bellied and 40 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 1000 Knot, 2 Purple Sandpiper and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Twite and 2 Tree Sparrow were seen. A Water Rail was logged.
Sanderling origins revealed
18th December 2017 – sunny spells ESE1
Offshore
A group of 29 Shag were offshore.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 10 Redwing were logged. At least 2 Tree Sparrow continue to linger.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 11Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup continues in residence and 8 Shoveler were logged. Waders included 8 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Ringing
A colour ringed Sanderling had been marked at Siglingamerki, Sandgerði in Iceland during 2011.
Offshore
A group of 29 Shag were offshore.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 10 Redwing were logged. At least 2 Tree Sparrow continue to linger.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 11Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup continues in residence and 8 Shoveler were logged. Waders included 8 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Ringing
A colour ringed Sanderling had been marked at Siglingamerki, Sandgerði in Iceland during 2011.
Some cold weather movement
16th December 2017 – sunny spells/early frost N2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 46 Common Scoter, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Red-throated Diver and 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of cold weather movement was provided by 4 Redwing and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Flocks of 40 Pink-footed Geese and 5 Whooper Swan headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The five Scaup remain and the Brent Goose flock held 110 pale-bellied and 52 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 1000 Knot, 2 Purple Sandpiper and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Merlin were seen.
Ringing
A further 5 colour-ringed Knot were identified making a total of 16 different individuals so far this month. Origins were Netherlands (2), Iceland (1) and Alt Estuary (2).
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 46 Common Scoter, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Red-throated Diver and 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of cold weather movement was provided by 4 Redwing and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Flocks of 40 Pink-footed Geese and 5 Whooper Swan headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The five Scaup remain and the Brent Goose flock held 110 pale-bellied and 52 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 1000 Knot, 2 Purple Sandpiper and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Merlin were seen.
Ringing
A further 5 colour-ringed Knot were identified making a total of 16 different individuals so far this month. Origins were Netherlands (2), Iceland (1) and Alt Estuary (2).
Scaup remain
15th December 2017 – sunny spells/early frost N2
Offshore
The sea provided 3550 Eider, 7 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shag and a Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of cold weather movement was provided by 3 Redwing and 2 Mistle Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The five Scaup remain and 2 Barnacle Geese were logged. Waders included 12 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 85 Twite and single Water Rail, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Offshore
The sea provided 3550 Eider, 7 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shag and a Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of cold weather movement was provided by 3 Redwing and 2 Mistle Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The five Scaup remain and 2 Barnacle Geese were logged. Waders included 12 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 85 Twite and single Water Rail, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Buzzard finally added to year list
10th December 2017 – overcast/cold ENE3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0830-0930) produced 24 Red-throated Diver, 19 Razorbill and 17 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
Wildfowl were on the move with 1240 Pink-footed Geese and 8 Whooper Swan recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 115 pale-bellied and 75 dark-bellied birds. The redhead Goosander remains and 5 Scaup were seen. Waders included 6000 Knot and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A Buzzard was finally added to the year list. A total of 5 Water Rail were logged while oddities included 2 Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Ringing
A further 4 colour-ringed Knot were identified.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0830-0930) produced 24 Red-throated Diver, 19 Razorbill and 17 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
Wildfowl were on the move with 1240 Pink-footed Geese and 8 Whooper Swan recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 115 pale-bellied and 75 dark-bellied birds. The redhead Goosander remains and 5 Scaup were seen. Waders included 6000 Knot and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A Buzzard was finally added to the year list. A total of 5 Water Rail were logged while oddities included 2 Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Ringing
A further 4 colour-ringed Knot were identified.
Hooded Crow
9th December 2017 – overcast/rain/sleet/snow NW5
Offshore
Highlights of a check of the sea at dawn involved 3700 Eider, 35 Common Scoter and 30 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Another Fieldfare hinted at further cold weather movement while 2 Tree Sparrow were also logged.
Diurnal Migration
Some movement was logged with 3 Chaffinch and a Lesser Redpoll seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 195 pale-bellied and 71 dark-bellied birds while the female Scaup continues to linger.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail squealed and 55 Little Egret were seen, however a Hooded Crow proved to be the highlight of the day.
Ringing
The Brent Goose flock held at least 10 colour-ringed birds and one colour-ringed Little Egret was noted.
Offshore
Highlights of a check of the sea at dawn involved 3700 Eider, 35 Common Scoter and 30 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Another Fieldfare hinted at further cold weather movement while 2 Tree Sparrow were also logged.
Diurnal Migration
Some movement was logged with 3 Chaffinch and a Lesser Redpoll seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 195 pale-bellied and 71 dark-bellied birds while the female Scaup continues to linger.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail squealed and 55 Little Egret were seen, however a Hooded Crow proved to be the highlight of the day.
Ringing
The Brent Goose flock held at least 10 colour-ringed birds and one colour-ringed Little Egret was noted.
Knot origins revealed
8th December 2017 – overcast/hail showers/cold NNW6/7/8
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare hinted at some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 186 pale-bellied and 31 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 12 Twite and single Peregrine, Little Owl and Raven were the best of the rest.
Ringing
The seven colour-ringed Knot seen last weekend involved birds ringed during 2017 on the Alt Estuary, Merseyside (3), Iceland (3) and Netherlands (1).
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare hinted at some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 186 pale-bellied and 31 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 12 Twite and single Peregrine, Little Owl and Raven were the best of the rest.
Ringing
The seven colour-ringed Knot seen last weekend involved birds ringed during 2017 on the Alt Estuary, Merseyside (3), Iceland (3) and Netherlands (1).
Wildfowl and waders galore
3rd December 2017 – sunny spells N2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 12 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Common Scoter and 6 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes included 3 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush and a Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
Four Whooper Swan headed south and a few Tree Sparrow are still on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and female Goosander remain and the Brent Goose flock held 302 pale-bellied and 34 dark-bellied birds. Additional wildfowl included 2150 Wigeon, 585 Teal and 46 Pintail. Waders included 1400 Golden Plover, 4 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Purple Sandpiper while 7 Jack Snipe were amongst 117 Snipe.
Miscellaneous
Another Water Rail was logged while 10 Twite and single Peregrine and Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A flock of 2000 Knot contained at least 3 additional colour-ringed birds, making 7 different individuals over the weekend.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 12 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Common Scoter and 6 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes included 3 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush and a Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
Four Whooper Swan headed south and a few Tree Sparrow are still on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and female Goosander remain and the Brent Goose flock held 302 pale-bellied and 34 dark-bellied birds. Additional wildfowl included 2150 Wigeon, 585 Teal and 46 Pintail. Waders included 1400 Golden Plover, 4 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Purple Sandpiper while 7 Jack Snipe were amongst 117 Snipe.
Miscellaneous
Another Water Rail was logged while 10 Twite and single Peregrine and Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A flock of 2000 Knot contained at least 3 additional colour-ringed birds, making 7 different individuals over the weekend.
Little Auk surprise
2nd December 2017 – sun and showers/calm
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-0900) were led by a Little Auk moving out of Morecambe Bay on the rising tide. Also seen were 61 Common Scoter, 28 Shag, 16 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes included 2 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A few Tree Sparrow are still on the move with 2 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 35 Barnacle Geese, female Scaup and female Goosander remain. Waders included 10 Greenshank, 5 Jack Snipe and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The 2 Water Rail lingered while 60 Twite and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A flock of 1200 Knot contained at least 4 colour-ringed birds.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-0900) were led by a Little Auk moving out of Morecambe Bay on the rising tide. Also seen were 61 Common Scoter, 28 Shag, 16 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes included 2 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A few Tree Sparrow are still on the move with 2 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 35 Barnacle Geese, female Scaup and female Goosander remain. Waders included 10 Greenshank, 5 Jack Snipe and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The 2 Water Rail lingered while 60 Twite and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A flock of 1200 Knot contained at least 4 colour-ringed birds.
Barnacle Geese increase
1st December 2017 – bright and sunny/cold N2
Offshore
Two Shag were the only birds of note in a quick of the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of Barnacle Geese has increased to 35 birds and the female Scaup remains. Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail squealed but only 6 Twite were logged.
Offshore
Two Shag were the only birds of note in a quick of the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of Barnacle Geese has increased to 35 birds and the female Scaup remains. Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail squealed but only 6 Twite were logged.
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