Scaup still here

31st January 2019 – bright and frosty E2/3
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain and 2 Greenshank were the best of the waders.

Scaup continue in residence

28th January 2019 – overcast/rain SE3
Offshore
Slightly better over the sea with 16 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Diver and 6 Razorbill logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain and 2 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit were the best of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included 2 Water Rail and 2 Raven.

Scaup still present

26th January 2019 – overcast/ rain later SW3/4
Offshore
The sea proved disappointing with just 8 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver and 4 Shag logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain and 4 Greenshank were the best of the waders.

Short-eared Owl

21st January 2019 – overcast/mist/calm then S2/3
Offshore
A quick check of the sea produced 6 Shag and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare provided a hint of cold weather movement.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 70 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Goosander remains and the Brent Goose flock held 215 pale-bellied and single dark-bellied birds. A total of 107 Pintail was amongst 1100 Wigeon and waders included 2 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included single Short-eared Owl and Merlin. The Twite flock held 51 birds.

Black-throated Diver

20th January 2019 – overcast/murk/calm
Offshore
A mill pond sea revealed a Black-throated Diver amongst 13 Red-throated Diver. Also seen were 28 Shag, 20 Razorbill, 17 Common Scoter and 11 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 55 birds.

No sign of Black Brant

19th January 2019 – overcast/rain SE3
Offshore
A group of 11 Shag were offshore along with 62 Common Scoter and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 115 pale-bellied birds and the 5 Scaup remain. Waders included 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.

Goosander

18th January 2019 – overcast/cold/rain later SE5
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again amongst 83 pale-bellied Brent Geese feeding in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain amongst 12 Goldeneye and a female Goosander was logged. A single Greenshank was the best of the waders.

Black Brant again

15th January 2019 – overcast WSW3
Rarities
The adult was again in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point feeding amongst 69 pale-bellied Brent Geese on the rising tide.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Raven were the best of the rest.

Buzzard new for year

14th January 2019 – sun and showers NW4/5
Rarities
The adult was again in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point feeding amongst 118 pale-bellied Brent Geese on the rising tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain amongst 12 Goldeneye and waders included 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Single Buzzard and Merlin were the best of the rest.

Black Brant continues to linger

13th January 2019 – overcast/heavy showers W4/5/6
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point on the rising tide amongst 80 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 7 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (2 males & 3 females) remain amongst 14 Goldeneye. Waders included 3 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl remains the best of the rest.

First Gannet of the year

12th January 2019 – overcast/drizzle at times W4/5
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point on the rising tide amongst 59 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (0845-0945) produced the first Gannet of the year along with 25 Common Scoter, 19 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Kittiwake and 10 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 10 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (2 males & 3 females) remain amongst 15 Goldeneye. Also seen were 13 Shoveler and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.

Scaup increase

11th January 2019 – overcast N1
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point on the rising tide amongst 68 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Offshore
A check of the sea at high tide revealed 20 Common Scoter, 17 Shag and 7 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
There are now 5 Scaup present (2 males & 3 females). Also seen were 14 Goldeneye, 13 Shoveler and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.

Black Brant still in residence

8th January 2019 – sunny spells NW6/5/4/3
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point on the falling tide feeding amongst 98 pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Scaup increase

7th January 2019 – overcast SW4/5/6
Offshore
A glance at the sea provided 12 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver and 2 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The small group of Scaup has increased to four birds and waders included 3500 Oystercatcher, 1550 Knot and 5 Greenshank.

Bird Racing

6th January 2019 – overcast/mist/murk/drizzle/calm
Offshore
A quick check of the sea revealed 20 Shag, 10 Red-throated Diver, 6 Razorbill, 3 Kittiwake and 2 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least one Scaup remains and 4 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and a Jack Snipe were seen.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included single Peregrine, Merlin and Little Owl.
Bird Racing
Walney Bird Observatory again assembled a team to enter the Cumbria Bird Club Winter Bird Race and calm conditions combined with overcast skies greeted “Walney Wanderers” as they set out into the darkest depths of Cumbria. Eventually, 10 hours later in steadily deteriorating conditions, a list of exactly 100 species had been amassed after covering around 100 miles and visiting 35 locations.

Scaup remain

5th January 2019 – overcast/calm
Offshore
The sea revealed 35 Common Scoter, 35 Red-breasted Merganser, 22 Razorbill, 20 Shag, 9 Red-throated Diver and 3 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain amongst 12 Goldeneye and waders included a single Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Mammals
Three Harbour Porpoise were offshore.

Scaup also see in New Year

2nd January 2019 – bright and frosty/calm
Wildfowl and Waders
The 8 Shoveler and 3 Scaup remain.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Black Brant sees in New Year

1st January 2019 – overcast WSW2
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel off Long Rein Point at low tide amongst 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Offshore
A quiet start to the year over the sea with just 45 Common Scoter, and 14 Red-throated Diver logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 8 Shoveler and 2 Greenshank were recorded.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl were the best of the rest.