Unexpected Treecreeper

31st March 2023 – overcast NE2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) produced 88 Sandwich Tern, 77 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated, 15 Guillemot, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Razorbill, 5 Gannet and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Although a Treecreeper was unexpected additional sightings were limited to 2 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Totals included 80 Meadow Pipit, 82 Whooper Swan and 6 Sand Martin.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
Red Sword-grass was new for the year.

Ring Ouzel drops in

30th March 2023 – overcast/mizzle then sun and showers SW2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) produced 265 Wigeon, 103 Sandwich Tern, 62 Common Scoter, 54 Common Gull, 13 Teal, 11 Scaup, 10 Kittiwake, 9 Guillemot, 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Shag and an adult Mediterranean Gull. In addition, a Black Guillemot was along the eastern shore at low tide.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 7 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare and a female Ring Ouzel although additional sightings were limited to 4 Stonechat and a Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
Brown Silver-line and Early Thorn were new for the year.

Wildfowl again on the move

29th March 2023 – overcast/mizzle clearing SE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) produced 100 Common Scoter, 37 Sandwich Tern, 12 Red-throated Diver, 11 Teal, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Guillemot, 6 Shag and single Gadwall and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 23 Redwing and 6 Fieldfare and additional sightings included 14 Goldcrest, 5 Wheatear, 4 Stonechat and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 105 Whooper Swan moved through.
Miscellaneous
A group of 16 Twite and a Merlin chasing both Redwing and Wheatear were the best of the rest.
Mammals
The nocturnal wanderings of at least one Badger were in evidence.

A wet day!

28th March 2023 – overcast/rain SSE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) before the rain really set in produced 131 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings were limited to 6 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was again the best of the rest.

Black Guillemot and first Sand Martin and Little Ringed Plover

27th March 2023 – sunny spells NE2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) were highlighted by a summer-plumaged Black Guillemot and 2 dark morph Arctic Skua heading into Morecambe Bay, also seen were 8 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag and 3 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved a solitary Fieldfare, while additional sightings were limited to 7 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear and a Stonechat.
Diurnal Migration
Totals involved 350 Pink-footed Geese and 100 Whooper Swan along with the first 2 Sand Martin of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Little Ringed Plover of the year was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and a Sparrowhawk were the best of the rest.

Wildfowl on the move

26th March 2023 – sunny spells/showers NE4/5
Rarities
At least 8 Water Pipit were again in the flooded fields behind Biggar Farm over the high tide, viewable from the England Coastal Path.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) produced 72 Common Scoter, 59 Sandwich Tern, 40 Wigeon, 3 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Pintail and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 18 Redwing and 3 Fieldfare, otherwise sightings were limited to 3 Wheatear, 3 Stonechat, 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Buzzard flew northeast mid-morning and additional sightings included 125 Meadow Pipit, 105 Pink-footed Goose, 55 Whooper Swan and 2 Fieldfare.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Greenshank and the 2 Shoveler remain.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was again the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Cormorant had been marked as a nestling on Puffin Island, North Wales on 18th June 2011.

First Arctic Skua appears offshore

25th March 2023 – overcast/rain then sun and showers W4/5
Rarities
At least 12 Water Pipit were in the flooded fields behind Biggar Farm over the high tide, viewable from the England Coastal Path.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) were led by the first 2 Arctic Skua of the year, also seen were 223 Common Scoter, 49 Kittiwake, 11 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 12 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaff and single Goldcrest and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was reported.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Purple Sandpiper were seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.

Water Pipit numbers increase

24th March 2023 – overcast/murky/showers SSW5/6
Rarities
At least 14 Water Pipit were in the flooded fields behind Biggar Farm over the high tide, viewable from the England Coastal Path.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 30 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Gannet and 3 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 16 Stonechat, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and the Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.

Water Pipit influx

23rd March 2023 – overcast/rain then sun and showers SSW4/5
Rarities
At least 8 Water Pipit were in the flooded fields behind Biggar Farm over the high tide, viewable from the England Coastal Path.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 121 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Red-throated Diver and the first 2 Manx Shearwater of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 23 Stonechat, 7 Goldcrest and 4 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 26 Whooper Swan flew north.

Scaup still in residence

22nd March 2023 – hazy sun SSW4/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 91 Common Scoter, 12 Gannet, 11 Kittiwake, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Goldcrest and a Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 331 light-bellied birds and 15 Whooper Swan were grounded, the female Scaup continues to linger. Waders included 290 Turnstone, 7 Greenshank and 3 Jack Snipe

Sandwich Tern numbers begin to build

21st March 2023 – overcast/murky/rain at times S3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0830-0930) produced 21 Red-breasted Merganser, 20 Sandwich Tern, 17 Guillemot, 9 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Fieldfare, 2 Goldcrest and a Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 292 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and a Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Great Northern Diver and Mediterranean Gull

19th March 2023 – overcast WNW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) were highlighted by single Great Northern Diver and Mediterranean Gull amongst 125 Common Scoter, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Red-throated Diver, 8 Kittiwake, 8 Sandwich Tern and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Totals included 14 Stonechat and 2 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 6 Rook flew through amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 180 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow, 6 Raven and a Merlin were the best of the rest.

And so, it begins?

18th March 2023 – overcast/murk/mizzle/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea in low visibility produced 15 Sandwich Tern, 5 Shag and 2 Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
Totals included 24 Stonechat, 19 Goldcrest, 18 Robin, 15 Redwing, 5 Wheatear and single Mistle Thrush and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 60 Meadow Pipit flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Greenshank, 4 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.

Sandwich Tern and Wheatear

17th March 2023 – overcast/murky SSE2/3/4
Offshore
The first Sandwich Tern of the year was offshore early morning, along with 34 Common Scoter, 7 Shag, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The first Wheatear and Goldcrest of the spring were amongst 11 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 300 Meadow Pipit and 40 Woodpigeon flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 8 Whooper Swan were grounded due to the conditions and the female Scaup and 2 Shoveler remain.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and a Merlin were the best of the rest.

Whooper Swans head north

15th March 2023 – overcast/mist/murk/frost SE3/4, rain later
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 8 Common Scoter 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver and single Gannet and Shag as the gloom cleared briefly.
Grounded Migrants
Around 100 Meadow Pipit and 10 Pied Wagtail were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 39 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler were logged.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 20 Twite were the best of the rest.

Diurnal migration begins

14th March 2023 – bright and frost/calm then snow showers NNW2/3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 7 Shag, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Gannet and single Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Four Stonechat were seen.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail are starting to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler were logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and single Peregrine, Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.

Kittiwake and Gannet on the move

12th March 2023 – overcast/murky WSW4/5/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0930) produced 110 Kittiwake, 50 Common Scoter, 35 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver and 5 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler were logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.

Favourites remain

11th March 2023 – overcast/cold E2/3
Offshore
The sea produced 9 Shag, 8 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Three Stonechat were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 30 Twite were the best of the rest.

More seawatching

9th March 2023 – overcast/snow flurries/cold E4/5
Offshore
The sea produced 71 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Razorbill, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Gannet, Shag and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Dunlin.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.

Scaup and Twite

8th March 2023 – overcast/frosty ENE3/4
Offshore
The sea remains relatively uneventful with just 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag, 3 Razorbill and 2 Red-throated Diver logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 220 light-bellied birds, additional wildfowl included 2 Goosander and the long-staying female Scaup while waders included 410 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 30 birds and single Water Rail and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Scaup, Twite and Hooded Crow

7th March 2023 – bright and frosty/calm
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 221 light-bellied birds and the female Scaup remains, waders included 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 20 birds and the long-staying Hooded Crow and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A Common Quaker was the second moth of the year.

Seawatching

6th March 2023 – overcast/rain at times WNW4/5
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) produced 55 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Kittiwake and 7 Red-throated Diver.

Cetti’s Warbler, Scaup and Twite

5th March 2023 – overcast/calm then NW1/2
Rarities
The Cetti’s Warbler again called from the scrub and reeds along the western edge of the “fishing pond” at North Walney.
Offshore
Morning observations (0715-0815) produced 36 Red-breasted Merganser, 19 Common Scoter, 17 Shag, 13 Red-throated Diver, 5 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and single Gannet and Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
Five Raven flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and a redhead Goosander was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 57 birds.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore early morning.

Cetti’s Warbler

4th March 2023 – overcast N1/2
Rarities
A Cetti’s Warbler called from the scrub and reeds along the western edge of the “fishing pond” at North Walney. Although now not the island rarity it once was, this is the first spring record.
Diurnal Migration
Flocks of 15 Pink-footed Geese and 20 Whooper Swan flew north.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 7 Purple Sandpiper were amongst 50 Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
A check of the island “woodland” produced 11 Bullfinch, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Jay and 3 Goldcrest. Three Tree Sparrow continue to attend a garden feeding station.

Female Scaup remains

2nd March 2023 – overcast/light showers NE1/2
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea again revealed little of note other than 56 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 5 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 420 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Raven flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and 3 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Bugs
The moth trap remained empty but has attracted a Hawthorn Shield Bug.

Hooded Crow and Twite

1st March 2023 – overcast NNE1
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea again revealed little of note other than 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Gannet and Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 125 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Woodcock and 180 Sanderling were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 33 Twite were logged and single Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore.