Early Sandwich Terns

25th February 2018 – bright and sunny/cold ESE3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) were led by 2 Sandwich Tern amongst 30 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a solitary Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 85 pale and a single dark-bellied bird while the drake Scaup remains. Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Ringing
Birds colour-ringed in Iceland included Brent Goose, Oystercatcher and Sanderling.

Black Brant reappears

24th February 2018 – bright and sunny/cold SE3/4
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was in Walney Channel, just south of Jubilee Bridge at low tide, with 74 pale and a single dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) provided just 21 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Miscellaneous
Less frequently recorded species included 6 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Jay while an overwintering Goldcrest was also logged.

Hints of spring!

23rd February 2018 – bright and sunny SE3/4
Diurnal Migration
Hints of spring passage were provided by single Siskin and Pied Wagtail.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 5 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 60 dark-bellied birds and the drake Scaup remains. Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank.

Water Pipit remains

19th February 2018 – overcast/mist/murk WNW3
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar after the high tide.

A second Water Pipit?

18th February 2018 – sunny spells SSE1/2
Rarities
A Water Pipit was in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar Bank over the high tide, perhaps a different individual from that seen yesterday.
Offshore
Just 2 Red-throated Diver were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings 2 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 360 Pink-footed Geese flew through while 7 Raven and single Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail were also recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 290 pale-bellied birds. Also seen were 2 Scaup and single female Gadwall and Goosander.
Miscellaneous
A total of 140 Twite were logged.

Water Pipit reappears

17th February 2018 – early drizzle then sunny spells S2/1
Rarities
A Water Pipit was in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide .
Offshore
Just 10 Common Scoter and 7 Red-throated Diver were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 3 Mistle Thrush and 2 Fieldfare.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 294 pale-bellied and 5 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 1200 Golden Plover, 335 Turnstone and 19 Purple Sandpiper.
Ringing
Colour ringed birds involved an Oystercatcher from Iceland and Knot from Iceland (1) and England (2).

Elusive Gadwall still present

16th February – overcast S2/3
Offshore
Five Shag were the only record of note.
Grounded Migrants
Thrushes included 10 Redwing and 6 Mistle Thrush while a Grey Wagtail was also logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 297 pale-bellied and 4 dark-bellied birds. The pair of Scaup remain and the female Gadwall was amongst 10 Shoveler. Waders included 8 Greenshank and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A total of 120 Twite were logged along with a Peregrine. The 2 Tree Sparrow continue to attend a feeding station.

Water Pipit

4th February 2018 – bright and sunny/early frost NE1
Rarities
A Water Pipit was amongst 30 Rock Pipit congregated in the flooded fields along Biggar Bank at high tide.
Offshore
A dawn check of the sea revealed 3800 Eider, 40 Shag, 11 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver in a low tide gathering.
Grounded Migrants
Single Redwing and Mistle Thrush were amongst 11 Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 475 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 313 pale-bellied and 72 dark-bellied birds. The pair of Scaup remain.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail called and 2 Raven were logged. The flock of 60 Twite remain.

Barnacle Geese and Scaup

3rd February 2018 – overcast with light rain NW1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 9 Red-throated Diver and 5 Common Scoter amongst 35 Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 40 Barnacle Geese remain and the 2 Scaup continue to linger. Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A total of 40 Rock Pipit were flushed from the saltmarsh by the high tide.
Mammals
Two Otters were showing well early morning.

Barnacle Geese reappear

2nd February 2018 – bright and sunny NW2
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 44 Barnacle Geese reappeared and the Brent Goose flock held 271 pale-bellied birds. The two Scaup remain and waders included 7 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit amongst 1400 Dunlin and 500 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 65 birds and 25 Rock Pipit were flushed from the island’s saltmarsh.