Satellite-tagged Knot

31st January 2023 – sunny spells W4/5
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) produced 47 Common Scoter, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Ringing
A flock of 500 Knot held a colour-ringed and satellite-tagged bird which had been marked at Griend, The Netherlands on 28th September 2022.

Just a check of the sea today

30th January 2023 – sunny spells WNW3/4/5
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) produced just 18 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot, 2 Kittiwake and a Gannet.
Local News
A trip off the island produced the Cattle Egret amongst Little Egrets feeding in roadside fields along Brick Kiln Lane, Ulverston.

Great Northern Diver

29th January 2023 – overcast W3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 46 Common Scoter, 17 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Northern Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

More Ravens move through

28th January 2023 – overcast/calm then mist/mizzle
Offshore
A check of the sea (0830-0930) revealed 130 Common Scoter, 50 Red-throated Diver, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Razorbill and a Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 595 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Raven flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
Although typically secretive the 2 Water Rail remain.
Mammals
Three Harbour Porpoise were offshore.

Black Guillemot

27th January 2023 – overcast then sunny spells/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea at low tide revealed 8500 Eider, 85 Common Scoter, 69 Great Crested Grebe, 35 Shag, 18 Red-throated Diver and a Black Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 345 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Raven and 2 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 325 pale and 2 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The female Marsh Harrier and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.

Scaup continues to headline

26th January 2023 – overcast N1
Offshore
A check of the sea at dawn revealed a post-roost congregation of 32 Shag. Also seen were 50 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver and 3 Red-breasted Merganser.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 560 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and 5 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Raven was the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Badger revealed its presence.

Two bird day!

25th January 2023– overcast/mist/rain soon WNW3/4
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The female Marsh Harrier was the best of the rest.

Old favourites all still here

24th January 2023– overcast/fog/mist/mizzle SSE1/2
Offshore
A check over the sea saw 30 Common Scoter, 10 Shag, 10 Red-breasted Merganser and 9 Red-throated Diver appear out of the gloom.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 38 Pink-footed Geese flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl and waders were prominent on the high tide, wildfowl totals included 1472 Teal, 1116 Wigeon, 355 light-bellied Brent Geese, 151 Shelduck, 6 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Shoveler and a Scaup while waders included 5300 Oystercatcher, 1670 Dunlin, 1530 Redshank, 1500 Knot, 593 Lapwing, 460 Golden Plover, 251 Snipe, 201 Grey Plover, 190 Turnstone, 12 Purple Sandpiper, 10 Greenshank and 3 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The female Marsh Harrier, 20 Twite, 2 Water Rail a Merlin and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.

Water Pipit and Marsh Harrier

23rd January 2023– overcast/mist/murk/drizzle ESE2/3
Rarities
A Water Pipit was amongst 19 Rock Pipit.
Offshore
A check over the sea saw 34 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver and 3 Red-breasted Merganser appear out of the gloom.
Miscellaneous
Raptors were the order of the day with a female Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine and 2 Merlin all hunting the island over the tide.

Goosander and Scaup

22nd January 2023– bright and frosty ESE2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea produced 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and drake Goosander remain and 5 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
Two Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Woodcock and Barn Owl

21st January 2023– bright and frosty ESE2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea (0830-0930) produced 350 Common Scoter, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemot and 2 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and 3 Woodcock were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl and 2 Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Great Northern Diver

20th January 2023– bright and frosty/calm
Offshore
A check over the sea (0830-0930) produced 175 Common Scoter, 14 Guillemot, 11 Red-throated Diver, 8 Shag, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Northern Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 25 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains amongst 16 Red-breasted Merganser and 14 Goldeneye.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains while 35 Twite and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.

Annual Report

19th January 2023– overcast/wintery showers NW3/5
Notice
The 2022 WBO Annual Report is now available.

Scaup still present

18th January 2023– bright and frosty NNW3/4
Offshore
A check over the sea (0900-1000) produced 114 Common Scoter, 24 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Guillemot and single Razorbill and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains amongst 14 Goldeneye.

Scaup remains

17th January 2023– bright and frosty/calm then snow flurries W3/4
Offshore
A check over the sea (0900-1000) produced 138 Common Scoter, 26 Kittiwake, 23 Red-throated Diver, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Guillemot and 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Two Redwing were logged amongst an apparent small cold weather influx of Blackbird and Song Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
Although many of the pools are now frozen over the female Scaup and drake Goosander remain and 5 Greenshank were seen.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Marsh Harrier

16th January 2023– bright and frosty N2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea (0900-1000) produced 115 Eider, 47 Red-throated Diver, 16 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot and the first Gannet of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Single Fieldfare and Redwing were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Marsh Harrier flew east.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Barn Owl

15th January 2023– sunny spells NW2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea (0900-1000) produced just 23 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and a Kittiwake.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl hunting at dawn was a welcome sight.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Improving seas

14th January 2023– early rain/clearing to showers W4/5/6
Offshore
A check over the sea (0900-1000) produced 155 Common Scote, 34 Kittiwake, 26 Red-throated Diver, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Razorbill and a Shag.
Miscellaneous
A Little Grebe along the eastern shore was unusual while 28 Little Egret were seen.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Seas remain quiet

12th January 2023– overcast/murk/rain SW6/7/8
Offshore
A check over the sea (0900-1000) produced just 12 Kittiwake, 11 Common Scoter, 3 Pintail and a Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

More barren seas

12th January 2023– overcast/murk/rain SW6/7/8
Offshore
A check over the sea (0900-1000) produced just 16 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Razorbill and 2 Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Barren seas

11th January 2023– overcast/frequent showers SW6/7/8
Offshore
A check of the stormy seas (0900-1000) produced just 11 Shag and single Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains along with 2 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Goosander and Scaup

9th January 2023– sunny spells WNW4/5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 21 Common Scoter, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Shag, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains amongst 16 Goldeneye and a male Goosander was amongst 14 Red-breasted Merganser. Waders included 1000 Dunlin, 14 Greenshank amongst 750 Redshank and a Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
A total of 38 Little Egret were logged and a Raven was the best of the rest.
Local news
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Little Auk

8th January 2023– rain at times S3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea on the rising tide and in the poor conditions (0900-1000) revealed a Little Auk heading north close inshore. Also seen were 12 Common Scoter, 3 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and 14 Purple Sandpiper were seen.
Local News
The long-staying Great Northern Diver was still on Ormsgill Reservoir.

Scaup remains

6th January 2023– sunny spells WSW4/5
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was the best of the rest.
Local News
An off island visit to nearby Ormsgill Reservoir revealed the long-staying Great Northern Diver.

Woodcock abound

5th January 2023– overcast/mist/murk/rain S2/3
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 6 Woodcock and a group of 3 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
A check of some of the less visited “wooded” areas through the morning mizzle produced single Treecreeper and Jay and 6 Long-tailed Tit.

Scaup still in residence

4th January 2023– overcast/mist/murk/rain WSW5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced just single Red-throated Diver and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included the female Scaup amongst 21 Red-breasted Merganser and 14 Goldeneye.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow x Carrion Crow hybrid was seen.

Hooded Crow still in residence

3rd January 2023– overcast/mist/murk/rain SSE5
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 37 Common Scoter, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 230 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and 6 Tree Sparrow visited an island feeding station.

New Year Bird Race

2nd January 2023– bright and sunny/early frost/calm
Offshore
A quick check of the sea produced 8 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Scoter and single Shag, Guillemot and Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was the only contender for a newly arrived bird.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and waders included 6 Greenshank and 3 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A total of 84 species were recorded across the island with single overwintering Blackcap and Chiffchaff logged. Other less frequently seen species involved 30 Twite, 12 Long-tailed Tit and single Merlin, Raven, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and Jay.

Scaup sees in New Year

1st January 2023– sun and heavy showers S3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0900-1000) produced 2 Little Gull along with 187 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 3 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.