Black Guillemot & Great Skua

30th November 2018 – sun and showers S5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced a Great Skua amongst 34 Kittiwake, 20 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver and 5 Razorbill. In addition, a Black Guillemot fed along the sheltered eastern shore at low tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup continue to linger. Waders included 5 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Ringing
The month saw 121 birds of 14 species handled. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets): Goldfinch 37, (3), Chaffinch 23, (1), Blackbird 15, House Sparrow 14, (3), Tree Sparrow 5, Greenfinch 4, Dunnock 3, (2), Goldcrest 3, Robin 2, Blackcap 2, Long-tailed Tit 1, Starling 1, Lesser Redpoll 1 and Song Thrush (1). (1818/34, 213/17, 12/6)

Slavonian Grebe & Black Guillemot

26th November 2018 – sunny spells NE3/2/1
Offshore
Observations over the mouth of Morecambe Bay on the flooding tide (0800-1000) were led by single Slavonian Grebe and Black Guillemot. Also seen were 5020 Eider, 15 Common Scoter, 12 Shag, 7 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 5 Song Thrush and a Redwing
Diurnal Migration
A further 60 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 118 pale-bellied birds, 9 Shoveler were seen and the 3 Scaup continue to linger. Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included 2 Merlin and 2 Peregrine. A group of 20 Twite were the best of the rest.

Scaup remain in residence

25th November 2018 – sunny spells ENE4
Offshore
A Shag was the only bird of note.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes were limited to 3 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 195 Pink-footed Geese flew through and 2 Brambling were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 172 pale-bellied and a single dark-bellied birds and the 3 Scaup remain in residence amongst 15 Goldeneye. Waders included 6 Greenshank and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Both Barn Owl and Little Owl were logged and 2 Peregrine were seen. The Twite flock held 20 birds.

Black Guillemot

24th November 2018 – overcast ENE3
Offshore
Observations over the sea on the rising tide (0800-0900) were led by 2 Black Guillemot amongst 370 Razorbill. Also seen were 34 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver and 3 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes were limited to single Redwing and Fieldfare. Single Chiffchaff and Blackcap were also logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 90 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 185 pale-bellied birds and the 3 Scaup remain in residence.
Miscellaneous
A day flying Barn Owl was logged and Merlin and Peregrine were seen. The Twite flock has increased to 70 birds.

Black Brant again

23rd November 2018 – overcast SE2/3
Rarities
The Black Brant put in another appearance at Scar End Point amongst 215 pale-bellied and 6 dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A single Rock Pipit was the only bird logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain and waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank and a Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included Buzzard and Peregrine.

Short-eared Owl

22nd November 2018 – overcast/light rain at times SE4
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl was seen.

Velvet Scoter

20th November 2018 – sunny spells NE2/3/4/5
Offshore
Another early evening check of the sea revealed 10 Razorbill, 6 Red-throated Diver, 6 Common Scoter and a Velvet Scoter.

Water Pipit

19th November 2018 – overcast/showers ENE4
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 104 Common Scoter,103 Razorbill, 13 Red-throated Diver, 4 Guillemot, 3 Kittiwake and 2 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain.
Miscellaneous
The first Water Pipit of the autumn/winter was logged. A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Red-crested Pochard!

18th November 2018 – bright and sunny ENE3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved: 12 Redwing and 7 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Again some late movement was evident with 425 Starling, 410 Pink-footed Goose, 30 Meadow Pipit, 14 Skylark, 12 Chaffinch, 7 Greenfinch, 5 Whooper Swan, 3 Siskin and 3 Brambling.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Red-crested Pochard was newly arrived and the 3 Scaup remain amongst 13 Goldeneye. Waders included 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey were again prominent with a Buzzard, 4 Sparrowhawk and single Barn Owl, Merlin and Kestrel logged.

Hen Harrier and Scaup

17th November 2018 – sunny spells E3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed just 6 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved: 61 Redwing, 6 Fieldfare and 4 Song Thrush. Also seen were 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Surprisingly prominent with 1030 Pink-footed Goose, 620 Starling, 100 Meadow Pipit, 33 Linnet, 12 Skylark, 4 Stock Dove, 3 Siskin, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Rock Pipit and 2 Brambling.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain and waders included 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey were also prominent with a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 2 Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel logged. A group of 30 Twite were also logged.
Ringing
Several colour-ringed Cormorant were seen.

Black Brant reappears

16th November 2018 – overcast/misty/murky SE3
Rarities
The Black Brant was again amongst 50 pale-bellied and 8 dark-bellied Brent Geese at Snab Sands – feeding on the rising tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed just 4 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved: 15 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush and 3 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds remain on the move with 14 Chaffinch, 8 Meadow Pipit and 5 Woodpigeon logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 58 Barnacle Geese were newly arrived, the 3 Scaup remain and waders included 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was hunting at dawn and the 38 Twite remain.
Ringing
The Barnacle Goose flock held 3 colour-ringed birds – hopefully details will follow. The Brent Goose flock held 2 colour-ringed birds ringed in the Canadian Arctic.

End of season feel continues

12th November 2018 – sun and showers SSE4
Offshore
The sea provided 19 Common Scoter, 16 Razorbill and 11 Shag.
Diurnal Migration
Two Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 144 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Shoveler and 3 Scaup.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.

Very limited autumn fare

11th November 2018 – overcast/rain SSE4
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 21 Razorbill, 19 Common Scoter, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 4 Redwing and 4 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Two Brambling were amongst a few Chaffinch and 19 Pink-footed Geese were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 75 pale-bellied and a single dark-bellied bird. The 3 Scaup remain and waders included 4 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Woodcock.

Black Brant returns

10th November 2018 – early rain S1 then SSE3
Rarities
The returning Black Brant was amongst 119 pale-bellied and 52 dark-bellied Brent Geese feeding at Snab Sands on the rising tide.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0815-0915) produced 35 Kittiwake, 29 Common Scoter, 5 Razorbill, 2 Gannet and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Corvids remain on the move early morning with 110 Jackdaw, 12 Carrion Crow and a Hooded Crow logged. Three Whooper Swan headed south
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain and waders included 8 Greenshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and single Woodcock and Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
Three Merlin and a Barn Owl were the best of the rest.

Purple Sandpiper

9th November 2018 – overcast SE5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations (0815-0915) produced just 14 Razorbill, 12 Common Scoter and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 10 Fieldfare.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 5 Shoveler and 3 Scaup while 7 Greenshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and a Purple Sandpiper were the pick of the waders logged.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 38 birds and single Merlin and Barn Owl were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Otter continued the recent run of annual sightings.

Lightweight migration

5th October 2018 – overcast E2/3
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 7 Fieldfare and a Redwing. Also seen were single Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A hint of passage produced 60 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Chaffinch, 12 Meadow Pipit, 12 Skylark, 3 Tree Sparrow, 2 Brambling and a Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Woodcock was recorded.
Miscellaneous
A total of 15 Mute Swan contained five colour-ringed birds.

Quiet day

4th November 2018 – overcast/drizzle SSE3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 110 Common Scoter, 14 Razorbill, 11 Kittiwake, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 6 Redwing and a Fieldfare. A Goldcrest was the only other evidence of grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to 30 Jackdaw and 2 Rock Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 100 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
It has been a good autumn for Treecreeper with another bird logged. Peregrine and Merlin were the best of the rest.

Scaup remains

3rd November 2018 – early drizzle then rain SSE4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0815-0915) produced 75 Common Scoter and 4 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 20 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The flock of 30 Twite remain.

Ring Ouzel and a late Swallow

2nd November 2018 – early showers then sunny spells NW1 then W2
Grounded Migrants
Single Ring Ouzel and Redwing were amongst 35 Blackbird. Additional grounded birds were limited to 2 Long-tailed Tit.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds remain on the move with 440 Starling, 38 Meadow Pipit, 24 Brambling, 12 Chaffinch, 6 Tree Sparrow, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Skylark, 3 Greenfinch a Siskin and a late Swallow recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and waders included 8 Greenshank, 7 Black-tailed Godwit and a Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.
Butterflies
Single Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell were logged in the afternoon sunshine.

Tail end passage

1st November 2018 – sunny spells NW1/2/3
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 22 Redwing and 15 Blackbird. Additional sightings included 9 Long-tailed Tit and 4 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
The tail end of passage produced 110 Jackdaw, 19 Skylark, 11 Chaffinch, 6 Meadow Pipit, 6 Tree Sparrow, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Whooper Swan and 2 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and waders included 9 Greenshank and 7 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock remained steady at 30 birds and a Water Rail was the best of the rest.