Sand Martin

24th March 2019 – bright and sunny W4/5
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again amongst the Brent Goose flock at Tummerhill Marsh over the high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0845) produced 57 Common Scoter, 13 Razorbill, 11 Kittiwake, 10 Red-throated Diver and 4 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Another smattering of birds involved 8 Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
The first Sand Martin of the year flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A herd of 30 Whooper Swan rested off the eastern shore and waders included 8 Greenshank.
Moths
Two Hebrew Characters were attracted to the moth trap overnight.

Hooded Crow

23rd March 2019 – hazy sun WNW 2/3
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again amongst 286 pale-bellied Brent Geese, favouring Tummerhill Marsh at high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0845) produced 37 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 5 Razorbill, 3 Gannet and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of birds involved 7 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear and a Mistle Thrush
Diurnal Migration
Single Hooded Crow and Siskin were amongst 30 Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1200 Golden Plover and 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 38 Twite and single Water Rail and Buzzard the best of the rest.

Black Brant reappears

22nd March 2019 – overcast/rain by evening SW3/4
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again on Tummerhill Marsh at high tide amongst 202 pale-bellied Brent Goose.
Grounded Migrants
The first Blackcap of the year, a female, was a fat laden individual suggesting that it had overwintered nearby. Also seen was a solitary Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Greenshank were amongst 420 Redshank.
Moths
Several Mottled Grey were attracted to the moth trap overnight.

Great Northern Diver

18th March 2019 – overcast/showers
Offshore
The sea produced a Great Northern Diver amongst 6 Red-throated Diver along with 35 Common Scoter, 10 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 200 Meadow Pipit and 8 Pied Wagtail wre evidence of movement.

Quiet day

17th March 2019 – sun and showers W5/6
Offshore
Another quiet day over the sea with just 12 Common Scoter, 8 Kittiwake, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and a Red-throated Diver.
Miscellaneous
Six Twite were logged.

Scaup still here

15th March 2019 – Sun and showers W4/5
Offshore
Quiet over the sea with just 2 Gannet and 2 Kittiwake logged, however, a Shag sheltered along the eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least one female Scaup remains and waders included 3 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.

Little Gull and Long-tailed Duck

11th March 2019 – bright and sunny W4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea produced a first-winter Little Gull amongst 19 Kittiwake and a female Long-tailed Duck amongst 7 Eider. Additional sightings were limited to a single Red-throated Diver.

A few seabirds

9th March 2019 – heavy rain/hail clearing to showers W4/5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea as the rain cleared (0900-1000) produced 69 Kittiwake, 5 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet, 3 Razorbill and 2 Red-throated Diver.

Brant still here

5th March 2019 – sun and showers SW3/4
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel just south of Jubilee Bridge feeding at low tide amongst 85 pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Early Wheatear

4th March 2019 – sun and showers SW3/4
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel just south of Jubilee Bridge feeding at low tide amongst 100 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Offshore
The sea produced 40 Kittiwake, 35 Common Scoter, 15 Gannet, 12 Red-throated Diver and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
An early Wheatear was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 4 Scaup remain and waders included 5 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 50 Twite was the best of the rest.

Black Brant remains

3rd March 2019 – overcast S3
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel just south of Jubilee Bridge feeding at low tide amongst 70 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Offshore
Early morning sightings on the rising tide (0730-0830) produced just 14 Common Scoter, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1100 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 50 Twite was the best of the rest.

Just a hint of movement

2nd March 2019 – overcast/rain later S2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea at high tide (0730-0830) revealed 50 Kittiwake, 21 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver, 8 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A single Goldcrest provided evidence of some movement.

Black Brant continues to show well

1st March 2019 – overcast/mist/fog SE1
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again in Walney Channel just south of Jubilee Bridge feeding at low tide amongst 65 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Scaup (2 males) remain and a pair of Goosander were logged. Waders included 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 50 Twite and a Peregrine were the best of the rest.