Early morning Puffins

30th April 2019 – Hazy sun E2/1
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0630-0730) produced 4 Puffins along with 96 Sandwich Tern, 61 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 15 Red-throated Diver, 6 Manx Shearwater, 5 Guillemot, 4 Little Tern and 4 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 7 Wheatear and 3 Blackcap.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 14 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Butterflies and Moth
The first Small Copper was on the wing.

Spotted Flycatcher

29th April 2019 – Bright and sunny E2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0730) were disappointing with just 75 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Scoter, 8 Gannet, 6 Guillemot and a Red-throated Diver logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was new for the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Dunlin, 710 Sanderling and 420 Turnstone.
Ringing
Two colour-ringed Sanderling appear to have origins in Spain.

Early morning skuas

28th April 2019 – sunny spells NW2
Offshore
Early morning observations saw skuas to the fore with 6 Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skua and 3 Great Skua logged moving out of Morecambe Bay. Also seen (0630-0830) were 106 Sandwich Tern, 104 Kittiwake, 90 Common Scoter, 64 Gannet, 25 Guillemot, 22 Red-throated Diver, 9 Arctic Tern, 5 Fulmar, 3 Wigeon and 2 Razorbill
Grounded Migrants
Obvious grounded birds were limited to 21 Wheatear and single Blackcap and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A Yellow Wagtail flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 31 Whimbrel.
Mammals
Two Hares were seen.

Seabirds dominate

27th April 2019 – sun and showers NE1 increasing WNW 5/6
Offshore
Morning observations (0620-0820) revealed 630 Common Scoter, 81 Sandwich Tern, 52 Gannet, 37 Red-throated Diver, 30 Guillemot, 9 Kittiwake, 7 Manx Shearwater, 5 Fulmar, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Arctic Skua and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Obvious new arrivals were limited to 5 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 150 Sanderling and 16 Whimbrel.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore early morning.
Moths
V Pug, Puss Moth, Powdered Quaker and Shuttle-shaped Dart were all new for the year.

Manx Shearwater

25th April 2019 – sunny spells SE2/3
Offshore
Early evening observations (1530-1630) revealed the first Manx Shearwater of the year along with 38 Common Scoter, 37 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet and 5 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A couple of Wheatear and a White Wagtail were all that could be mustered.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 7 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included 50 Golden Plover.

Osprey and Yellow Wagtail

23rd April 2019 – bright and sunny/warm E4
Offshore
Morning observations (0700-0800) revealed just 26 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 13 Gannet and 3 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
New arrivals were limited to a paltry 4 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap and single Grasshopper Warbler and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
An Osprey headed SE at 0735hrs while the first Yellow Wagtail of the year and 2 Lesser Redpoll were the best of the rest.
Moths
The moth trap held a Silver Y.

Puffins

22nd April 2019 – bright and sunny/warm ENE2
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) produced the first 2 Puffins of the year along with 100 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver, 8 Gannet, 3 Razorbill and a Little Tern.
Diurnal Migration
Two Lesser Redpoll and 2 Rook were amongst a trickle of Swallow and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Territorial warblers included 3 Lesser Whitethroat and a Grasshopper Warbler.

Little Terns

21st April 2019 – bright and sunny/warm V1
Offshore
Morning observations (0700-0800) revealed the first 2 Little Tern of the year along with 120 Common Scoter, 37 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet and 3 Red-throated Diver
Grounded Migrants
New arrivals were limited to 10 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and a Goldcrest. A Reed Warbler in breeding habitat was the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
A Lesser Redpoll flew in off the sea.
Butterflies
Orange Tip and Speckled Wood remain easily the two most prominent species.

Early morning Pomarine Skua

20th April 2019 – bright and sunny/warm V1
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) were led by an adult light morph Pomarine Skua heading low into Morecambe Bay at 0810hrs. Also logged were 182 Common Scoter, 104 Sandwich Tern, 16 Gannet and 8 Red-throated Diver
Grounded Migrants
A mass clear out of Wheatear occurred overnight with just 6 birds logged. Also seen were 5 Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 61 Pink-footed Geese headed north while 10 Meadow Pipit, 6 Swallow and single Rook and Lesser Redpoll flew in off the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 13 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 1050 Sanderling, 320 Golden Plover, 86 Grey Plover and 44 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The first 2 Lesser Whitethroat were on territory.

Arctic Skuas and Little Gulls

19th April 2019 – bright and sunny E2/1
Offshore
Morning observations (0715-0815) produced 3 Little Gull (2 adult and a first-summer) and 2 Arctic Skua along with 135 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 17 Red-throated Diver, 6 Kittiwake and 5 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear remain the dominant species with 80 birds logged, also seen were 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 White Wagtail and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Three skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 210 birds headed north early morning. Additional sightings through the morning were 100 Meadow Pipit, 12 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin, 3 Siskin, 2 House Martin and a Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Lingering winter wildfowl involved 12 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 3 Wigeon. A Common Sandpiper was new for the year and additional waders included 1000 Knot, 150 Golden Plover, 18 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit
Miscellaneous
The first Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats have now returned to breeding habitats on the island where 10 Blackcap and 3 Grasshopper Warbler were also present. A Buzzard drifted high south east and a Water Rail was in suitable breeding habitat.
Butterflies and Moths
Speckled Wood and Orange Tip have now emerged in good numbers.

Wheatear still dominate

18th April 2019 – sunny spells ESE2/3
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear still dominate with 78 birds logged, otherwise sightings were limited to 12 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 White Wagtail and single Fieldfare and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Hirundines involved 8 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow and a House Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Coot remains and 9 Shoveler were recorded.

Grasshopper Warbler and Gadwall

17th April 2019 – sunny spells E2
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear again dominated with 94 birds logged otherwise sightings were limited to the first 4 White Wagtail of the year along with 3 Fieldfare, 3 Willow Warbler and single Redwing and Blackcap .
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Gadwall was amongst 36 Teal and 7 Shoveler. Testament to the decline of the species on the island a Coot was a rare sight.
Miscellaneous
The first 2 Grasshopper Warbler of the year were back on territory and a few more Swallow were in evidence across the island. Several Little Egret continue to linger.

Migrant trickle

14th April 2019 – bright and sunny but cold ESE4
Offshore
Morning observations (0715-0830) produced 83 Gannet, 72 Sandwich Tern, 13 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 5 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Only a single Swallow was recorded.

Arctic Tern

13th April 2019 – bright and sunny but cold E3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0745-0845) revealed the first Arctic Tern of the year along with 44 Common Scoter, 41 Sandwich Tern, 11 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
Although there was an obvious increase in territorial Willow Warbler and Blackcap in suitable breeding habitat obvious migrants were limited to 5 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Sparse pickings with just 10 Meadow Pipit and single Siskin and Swallow logged.
Miscellaneous
At least one Treecreeper remains in suitable breeding habitat raising speculation of the island’s first breeding record. Two pairs of Long-tailed Tit and 7 pairs of Bullfinch were also logged.

Long-eared Owl

12th April 2019 – bright and sunny SE3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea yielded 101 Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again little on offer with just 2 Chiffchaff and a Wheatear logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swallow flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
A Long-eared Owl roosted through the day.

Twite remain

11th April 2019 – bright and sunny NE1
Grounded Migrants
Few birds were evident with just 10 Wheatear, and 2 Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
A single Swallow was again recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 150 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain.
Miscellaneous
The flock of 16 Twite continues to linger.

Wheatear continue to dominate

10th April 2019 – bright and sunny E1/2
Offshore
A flock of 30 Sandwich Tern fed offshore.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear remain to the fore with 25 birds logged. Also seen were 5 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A single Swallow was recorded.

House Martin

9th April 2019 – bright and sunny E3/4
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear dominated with 15 birds logged.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was the first of the year.

Long-tailed Duck

8th April 2019 – hazy sun NE4
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0715-0845) were led by a first-winter drake Long-tailed Duck amongst 400 Common Scoter, 102 Sandwich Tern, 25 Gannet, 5 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Meadow Pipit were on the move with 260 birds logged, also seen were 5 Whooper Swan, 5 Sand Martin and a Siskin.
Moths
Recent sightings involve Early Grey, Early Thorn, Dark Swordgrass and Common Quaker.

First Willow Warblers

7th April 2019 – sunny spells NE1/2
Offshore
A glance over the calm sea revealed 5000 Eider, 12 Sandwich Tern, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear continue to arrive with 46 birds logged. Also seen were the first 3 Willow Warbler of the year along with 12 Pied Wagtail, 9 Redwing, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Single Great Spotted Woodpecker and Siskin were amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 272 pale-bellied birds and 1110 Golden Plover were recorded.
Miscellaneous
Six Twite amongst a small group of Linnet were the best of the rest.

A few Twite continue to linger

6th April 2019 – bright and sunny SE1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea yielded 25 Kittiwake, 9 Sandwich Tern and single Gannet and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear numbers begin to build with 18 birds logged.
Diurnal Migration
Three Sand Martin were logged along with single Siskin and Tree Sparrow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 900 Golden Plover and 3 Greenshank. At least 207 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain.
Miscellaneous
Single Buzzard and a small group of 16 Twite were the best of the rest.

Osprey

5th April 2019 – sunny spells SE4/5
Diurnal Migration
The first Osprey of the year flew through at 1600hrs.

First Swallow

4th April 2019 – overcast SE4/5
Diurnal Migration
The first Swallow of the year flew through.

Black Brant

31st March 2019 – sunny spells E2/3
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again on Tummerhill Marsh amongst 100 pale-bellied Brent Goose.
Grounded Migrants
Nine Wheatear and 2 Goldcrest provided evidence of some movement.

Ring Ouzel

30th March 2019 – overcast SW1
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0845) revealed the first 4 Sandwich Tern of the year along with 100 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver and 6 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A male Ring Ouzel was amongst a smattering of birds including 13 Goldcrest, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Wheatear and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Three Sand Martin were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1100 Golden Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
Single Buzzard and Little Owl were the best of the rest.

Just a hint of movement

29th March 2019 – overcast SW2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 43 Common Scoter and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Four Goldcrest provided evidence of some movement.

Avocet

25th March 2019 – bright and sunny W4/5
Rarities
An Avocet was photographed roosting on the island at high tide.