Scaup increase

30th January 2020 – overcast/mizzle at times S3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Three Fieldfare were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
There are now 6 Scaup (4 females + 2 first-winter males) and the Brent Goose flock held 103 pale-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.

Quiet day

29th January 2020 – overcast/rain later W4/5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea (0830-0930) yielded only 23 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Two Mistle Thrush were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (3 females + 2 first-winter males) remain along with 67 pale-bellied and 88 dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.

Norwegian Rock Pipit and lingering Water Pipit

28th January 2020 – overcast, frequent rain/hail showers W5/6
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst 4 Rock Pipit feeding in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (3 females + 2 first-winter males) remain along with 170 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 47 Pintail. Waders included 4000 Knot and 4 Greenshank.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Rock Pipit flushed onto the salt marsh at high tide had been ringed at Makkevika, Giske, Møre & Romsdal, Norway (1,080km NNE) on 17th August 2019.

Hooded Crow and Scaup

27th January 2020 – sun/showers SW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0830-0930) revealed 32 Razorbill, 18 Common Scoter, 14 Red-breasted Merganser and 9 Red-throated Diver, .
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (3 females + 2 first-winter males) remain along with 116 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 52 Pintail. Waders included 4000 Knot and 3000 Oystercatcher.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in yet another appearance.

Water Pipit, Hooded Crow and Scaup

26th January 2020 – overcast/rain, clearing later SSE4/5
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst 6 Rock Pipit and 12 Meadow Pipit in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A quick check of the sea as the weather front closed in produced just 12 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (3 females + 2 first-winter males) remain along with a total of 321 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 84 Pintail and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.

Whooper Swans begin to head north

25th January 2020 – overcast/mist/mizzle/S1
Offshore
A check of the sea as the weather began to clear (1030-1130) produced 11 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver and 2 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Again a Mistle Thrush was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 adult Whooper Swan headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 340 pale-bellied Brent Goose were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Treecreeper was amongst 16 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Merlin

24th January 2020 – overcast/mist/mizzle/calm
Offshore
The sea was visible for the first time in a few days and observations (0930-1030) produced 41 Common Scoter, 18 Red-throated Diver, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Kittiwake and a Shag before the weather again closed in.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Mistle Thrush and a Redwing.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Dense fog continues to cover the island

23rd January 2020 – dense fog/calm
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the only bird of note.

Hooded Crow still present

22nd January 2020 – dense fog/calm
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved a Mistle Thrush
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow loomed out of the fog.

Water Rail

21st January 2020 – overcast/mist/mizzle/calm
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-1000) revealed 80 Red-throated Diver, 39 Shag, 21 Common Scoter, 8 Razorbill, 7 Guillemot and 5 Red-breasted Merganser
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 3 Fieldfare and 3 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males) and waders included 4 Greenshank, 130 Sanderling and 4,000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence and a Water Rail called.

Hooded Crow and Twite

20th January 2020 – sunny spells W1
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) revealed 100 Common Scoter, 33 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Razorbill
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence, a flock of 28 Twite were seen and single Barn Owl and Little Owl were logged.

Shags achieve record high

19th January 2020 – hazy sun/mist/frost/calm
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) over calm seas produced a record post-roost congregation of 51 Shag. Also seen were 5,000 Eider, 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 17 Red-throated Diver, 10 Common Scoter and a Razorbill
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and a Mistle Thrush. Grounded flocks of 8 Woodpigeon and 4 Pied Wagtail were also suggestive of some movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males) and waders included 7 Greenshank and 2,000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence, flocks of 30 Twite and 20 Linnet were seen and single Barn Owl and Little Owl were logged.

Seabirds on the move

18th January 2020 – sun and showers W2/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-1000) produced 380 Common Scoter, 50 Razorbill, 44 Red-throated Diver, 9 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males) and waders included 11 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence.

Hooded Crow and Scaup

17th January 2020 – early rain clearing W2/3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea revealed 50 Common Scoter and 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 5 Song Thrush, 2 Fieldfare and single Redwing and Mistle Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males).
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow made another appearance.

Water Pipit continues to perform

16th January 2020 – overcast/showers SE4/5/6
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst Rock and Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced just 13 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 3 Razorbill and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.

Water Pipit and Hooded Crow still

15th January 2020 – sunny spells SW3
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst Rock and Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced just 15 Kittiwake, 10 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males), while waders included 7 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance and 7 Tree Sparrow were at a feeding station on the island.

Water Pipit and Hooded Crow

14th January 2020 – overcast/rain later S4/5
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst Rock and Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced just 17 Common Scoter, 3 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males) also seen were 3 Barnacle Goose, while waders included 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.

Water Pipit remains

13th January 2020 – overcast/rain later SE4/5/6/7
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst Rock and Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced just 7 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill, 3 Shag and single Red-throated Diver and Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males) also seen were 930 Teal, 3 Barnacle Goose, 346 pale-bellied and 80 dark-bellied Brent Goose and a female Goosander. Waders included 5 Greenshank, 2 Purple Sandpiper and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A group of 4 Twite were the best of the rest.

Water Pipit reappears to augment Bird Race score

12th January 2020 – early rain clearing W3
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst Rock and Meadow Pipits feeding in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced small numbers of Shag, Red-throated Diver, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved single Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males) also seen were 3 Barnacle Goose and 220 pale-bellied Brent Goose. Waders included Purple Sandpiper, Jack Snipe and Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Walney BO again entered a team in the CBC Winter Bird Race, a total of 82 had been amassed by the time the team left the island at 1215hrs and this had increased to 103 species by the time the finish line was reached at 1730hrs.

Little Egret numbers remain high

11th January 2020 – overcast/rain later S5/6/7
Offshore
A check of the sea only produced a single Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock again held 265 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A total of 61 Little Egret were logged.

Pink-footed Geese begin to head north

10th January 2020 – early showers then sunny spells ESE1
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 160 Common Scoter, 24 Red-throated Diver, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Razorbill and a Great Crested Grebe.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 20 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 7 Shoveler and a female Goosander.

A quiet winter’s day

9th January 2020 – sunny spells S2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) provided 71 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 10 Razorbill, 2 Tufted Duck and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock again held 300 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.

Hooded Crow still in residence

8th January 2020 – overcast W3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 10 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Guillemot and 2 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 300 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in another appearance and a Little Owl was logged.

Another quiet seawatch

7th January 2020 – overcast/rain clearing SE3/4
Offshore
Another quiet day over the sea, observations (1100-1200) produced just 18 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Razorbill and a Guillemot.

Scaup still in residence

6th January 2020 – overcast/rain soon S4/5
Offshore
A quick check of the sea as the rain front approached produced 12 Red-throated Diver, 11 Common Scoter and single Shag and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Scaup (3 females & 2 first-winter males) remain amongst 15 Goldeneye and 11 Red-breasted Merganser and waders included 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl hunting at dawn was the best of the rest.

Quiet seawatch

5th January 2020 – overcast SW3/4
Offshore
A quiet day over the sea, early morning observations (0900-1000) produced just 23 Common Scoter and 7 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler were seen.

Scoters on the move

4th January 2020 – overcast W3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 108 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver and 5 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Scaup (3 females & 2 first-winter males) remain amongst 10 Goldeneye and the Brent Goose flock held 114 pale-bellied and 2 dark-bellied birds.
Ringing
The Brent Goose flock held colour-ringed birds from Canada, Iceland and The Netherlands.

Shoveler numbers begin to build

3rd January 2020 – sunny spells SW3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0900-1000) produced 38 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver and 5 Shelduck.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Shoveler were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Scaup remain

2nd January 2020 – overcast/rain later SE2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 9 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved a single Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Scaup and 4 Shoveler remain and waders included a 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank.

Scaup see in the New Year

1st January 2020 – sunny spells ESE2
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved single Redwing, Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
Six Scaup (3 females, adult male, 2 x first-winter males) saw in the New Year and waders included a single Jack Snipe and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven and a Little Owl were the best of the rest.