Swift passage

31st July 2020 – hot and sunny SE3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
The sea proved very quiet (0630-0730) with just 28 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 17 Sandwich Tern and 12 Manx Shearwater logged.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were at a premium with only 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Whinchat, 3 Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat recorded.
Diurnal Migration
Swifts were on the move with 70 birds logged along with 3 Tree Sparrow and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 450 Dunlin, 220 Sanderling, 9 Grey Plover, 5 Whimbrel and 3 Common Sandpiper.
Breeding Birds
Barn Owls are busy feeding young.
Miscellaneous
Two Peregrine were the best of the rest.

First Merlin of the autumn

30th July 2020 – rain clearing later SE2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (1230-1330) were again unrewarding with just 105 Common Scoter, 10 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gannet and 2 Manx Shearwater logged.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler and a Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 125 Dunlin, 5 Greenshank and 3 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The first Merlin has reappeared.

Warblers and chats

29th July 2020 – sunny spells WNW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0725-0825) were spectacularly quiet with just 54 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater, 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Guillemot and 3 Arctic Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds included 18 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat and single Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Again only evidenced by a single Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 400 Redshank, 220 Turnstone, 21 Greenshank, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Goldfinches appear to have had a good breeding season with 115 birds logged.

Pomarine Skuas

26th July 2020 – sun and showers SW4/5
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Extended observations over the sea (0700-0900 & 1130-1330) were led by 2 adult Pomarine Skua heading into Morecambe Bay at 0825hrs and then out again at 1315hrs. Also seen were 1000 Manx Shearwater, 254 Common Scoter, 84 Gannet, 64 Sandwich Tern, 11 Guillemot, 4 Little Tern and 2 Common Tern.

Manxies again on the move

25th July 2020 – early mizzle clearing SW4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea as the mizzle began to clear (0800-0900) produced 210 Manx Shearwater, 52 Common Scoter, 41 Gannet, 34 Sandwich Tern and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a single Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a single Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 16 Greenshank and single Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel.

Kingfisher surprise

24th July 2020 – sunny spells NW2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
A Kingfisher flew across Walney Channel at dawn.
Offshore
A quiet morning over the sea (0630-0730) with just 38 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 23 Gannet, 12 Manx Shearwater and 2 Kittiwake logged.
Grounded Migrants
Four Whinchat and another Cuckoo were amongst 17 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 21 Greenshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, 5 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.

Rain stopped play

23rd July 2020 – overcast/showers/rain soon SW4/5
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) before persistent rain set in produced 245 Manx Shearwater, 64 Gannet, 45 Common Scoter, 27 Sandwich Tern, 2 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and 4 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
A single Willow Warbler was all that could be mustered.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a solitary Whimbrel.

Manx Shearwater passage

22nd July 2020 – overcast/showers/rain later S3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea prior to the arrival of the first shower belt (0700-0900) produced 460 Manx Shearwater, 114 Common Scoter, 43 Sandwich Tern, 24 Gannet, 16 Razorbill and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
A single Grey Wagtail was all that could be mustered.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 15 Greenshank, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe.

Scaup remain

21st July 2020 – cloudy start then sunny/calm
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 340 Manx Shearwater, 276 Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, 9 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Single Whinchat and Blackcap were amongst a handful of Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Two Grey Wagtail and a Lesser Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 drake Scaup remain and waders included 100 Sanderling, 11 Greenshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Four Raven were the best of the rest.

Hooded Crow and Scaup

20th July 2020 – overcast/showers NW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Quiet over the sea (0715-0815) with just 140 Common Scoter, 51 Sandwich Tern, 29 Gannet, 11 Manx Shearwater and an Arctic Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Garden Warbler was amongst a handful of Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Four Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 drake Scaup remain and waders included 380 Redshank, 26 Turnstone, 14 Greenshank, 5 Whimbrel and 3 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret numbers continue to build with 25 birds logged and the long-staying Hooded Crow put in another appearance.

Cuckoo and Whinchat

19th July 2020 – bright and sunny NW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) provided 112 Common Scoter, 47 Sandwich Tern, 19 Gannet, 18 Manx Shearwater and single Arctic Tern and Shag – the latter the first of the autumn.
Grounded Migrants
Single juvenile Cuckoo and Whinchat were amongst 6 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A single Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 42 Sanderling, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel. The 2 drake Scaup remain in residence.

Mainly seabirds

18th July 2020 – overcast/rain clearing later NW3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea as the rain cleared (0930-1030) produced 162 Common Scoter, 48 Manx Shearwater, 20 Razorbill, 16 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet and 8 Little Tern. In addition, the east shore provided a flock of 30 Little Tern feeding on the ebbing tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 300 Dunlin.

Velvet Scoter, Scaup and Puffin

17th July 2020 – overcast/drizzle at times WSW3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
An extended check of the sea (0730-1000 & 1200-1300) was highlighted by single Velvet Scoter, Puffin and Arctic Skua amongst totals of 510 Common Scoter, 301 Manx Shearwater, 135 Gannet, 110 Sandwich Tern, 69 Razorbill, 25 Kittiwake and 13 Guillemot. In addition, two drake Scaup were off the east shore at high tide
Grounded Migrants
A Lesser Whitethroat was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Eight Swift and 6 Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel and 50 Dunlin were the pick of the waders.

Bonxie and Tystie

16th July 2020 – overcast/drizzle at times WNW4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0915-1015) produced 189 Common Scoter, 66 Sandwich Tern, 43 Gannet, 22 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua and single Great Skua and Black Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The early Willow Warbler movement continues with three birds logged.

Just a few seabirds seen

15th July 2020 – overcast/drizzle at times WNW4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0915-1015) produced 123 Common Scoter, 37 Gannet, 28 Sandwich Tern, 20 Manx Shearwater and 14 Eider.

Scaup new in

12th July 2020 – sunny spells SW2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0615-0715) produced 190 Common Scoter, 140 Manx Shearwater, 28 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers are beginning to move through with 12 Sedge Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warbler and single Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
A single Tree Sparrow was recorded and 8 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains and two drake Scaup were new in.

Offshore movement remains unspectacular

11th July 2020 – overcast/occasional showers NW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Offshore movement remains unspectacular although observations (0645-0745) provided more variety than of late with 340 Common Scoter, 24 Manx Shearwater, 21 Sandwich Tern, 13 Gannet, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and single Little Tern and Puffin logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Yellow Wagtail was amongst a few Pied Wagtail.

More unproductive seas

10th July 2020 – sun and showers NW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) produced just 200 Common Scoter, 25 Sandwich Tern, 16 Gannet, 11 Manx Shearwater, 3 Guillemot and 2 Razorbill.

Further hints of autumn

9th July 2020 – overcast/drizzle at times E2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A quick check of the sea revealed 1000 Eider and 10 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 5 Willow Warbler and a Wheatear were evidence of some movement.
Diurnal Migration
A Lesser Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Wigeon was still present and waders included 3 Greenshank, and single Common Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit amongst 220 Redshank and 70 Dunlin.
Miscellaneous
Post-breeding finch flocks are starting to develop with 110 Goldfinch and 60 Linnet logged.

First Whimbrel of the autumn

8th July 2020 – overcast/rain later
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon continues in residence and waders included the first Whimbrel of the autumn and 2 Common Sandpiper.

Unproductive seas

7th July 2020 – overcast/rain soon SW2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0645-0745) yielded just 51 Common Scoter, 18 Sandwich Tern, 2 Gannet and a Red-breasted Merganser.

Too much north in wind

6th July 2020 – overcast/then sunny spells NW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) provided just 30 Common Scoter, 10 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gannet and single Fulmar, Arctic Tern and Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains and waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank amongst 130 Redshank.

Another Bonxie

5th July 2020 – sunny spells WSW5/6/7
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
It was slow going over the sea (0630-0930) but persistence eventually provided some movement involving 121 Gannet, 55 Manx Shearwater, 53 Common Scoter, 14 Sandwich Tern, 8 Guillemot, 5 Fulmar, 4 Kittiwake and a Great Skua.

Great Skua

4th July 2020 – overcast/drizzle/mist/murk SW2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea as visibility briefly improved (1115-1215) produced 103 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 11 Sandwich Tern, 8 Manx Shearwater, 2 Guillemot and a Great Skua.

Arctic Skua

3rd July 2020 – overcast/rain SW6/7/8
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea in poor viewing conditions provided just single Arctic Skua, Manx Shearwater and Gannet.

Little Ringed Plover

2nd July 2020 – overcast/rain/drizzle/clearing later E2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0815-0915) proved quiet with little variety and just 194 Common Scoter, 122 Sandwich Tern and 14 Gannet logged.
Grounded Migrants
Two Whinchat were seen and 2 Stock Doves were unusual.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders are beginning to move through with single Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and Greenshank amongst 27 Dunlin and 30 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
While a few Little Egret have remained on the island throughout the summer a recent influx was noted with 18 birds logged.

Hints of autumn

1st July 2020 – overcast/light drizzle then sunny spells/calm
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea (0640-0740) proved quiet with just 152 Common Scoter, 27 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet and 3 Little Tern recorded.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Single Lesser Redpoll and Grey Wagtail were hints that autumn is not far away.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains in residence and returning waders included 150 Curlew and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Three Raven were the best of the rest.