29th February 2024 – overcast/showers WSW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0715-0815) produced 28 Common Scoter, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A group of 3 male Stonechat were potential migrants.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 13 Jack Snipe were located.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Water Rail was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
A Mottled Grey and Dotted Border were attracted to the light trap.
25th February 2024 – bright and sunny E3/4
Offshore
A scan of the sea produced 6 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
A Spoonbill was reported heading north and a Stock Dove was amongst 44 Woodpigeon.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Goosander was the pick of the wildfowl.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A Mottled Grey was attracted to the light trap.
24th February 2024 – overcast/rain then showers V1
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 20 Common Scoter, 17 Shag, 11 Red-breasted Merganser and single Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 445 Pink-footed Geese moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Goosander was the pick of the wildfowl while waders included 1,000 Golden Plover and 12 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A total of 73 species were logged with at least 12 Water Pipit amongst 20 Rock Pipit the highlights while the long-staying Hooded Crow and 60 Twite were also seen. Raptors involved Buzzard, Merlin, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Barn Owl.
19th February 2024 – sunny spells W4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 28 Common Scoter, 14 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Several male Stonechat moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Greenshank and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 40 Twite were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
A Rush Veneer and Dotted Border were attracted to the light trap.
Ringing
A colour ringed Knot seen recently had been marked at Terrington, Norfolk on 4th September 2023.
18th February 2024 – overcast/sunny spells WNW1/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 20 Shag, 4 Red-throated Diver and 2 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
A Grey Wagtail was amongst 5 Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Knot and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Water Rail squealed. One of the first signs of spring, Lesser Black-backed Gull numbers reached double-figures for the first time since November.
16th February 2024 – overcast/rain/mizzle/murk SW2
Offshore
Conditions limited visibility over the sea although 4 Shag were off the eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Water Rail squealed.
Butterflies and Moths
A Dark Swordgrass was the fourth species of moth attracted to the light trap in 2024.
13th February 2024 – overcast SW2
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0800-0900) involved 21 Shag, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Common Scoter and single Red-breasted Merganser, Great Crested Grebe and Mediterranean Gull.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A Red Swordgrass was the third species of moth attracted to the light trap in 2024.
12th February 2024 – early rain then sunny WSW3/5
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0745-0845) involved 61 Common Scoter, 24 Shag, 14 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Kittiwake and single Great Northern Diver and Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included: 880 Teal, 500 light-bellied Brent Geese 326 Wigeon and 124 Shelduck while waders were represented by 5,380 Oystercatcher, 2,510 Knot, 2,160 Dunlin, 1,440 Redshank, 772 Curlew, 213 Turnstone, 120 Sanderling, 118 Grey Plover, 9 Greenshank and 5 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The flock of 60 Twite remain and a Peregrine was logged.
11th February 2024 – bright start then mist/fog N1
Offshore
Sightings over the sea involved 20 Shag, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Red-throated Diver and 9 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 105 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Siskin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 241 light-bellied Brent Geese were logged and waders included 9 Woodcock and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Water Pipit was amongst 26 Rock Pipit and additional sightings included Barn Owl, Peregrine and Merlin.
Mammals
An Otter was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
Dotted Border and Beautiful Plume were the first attractions to the moth trap this year.
10th February 2024 – sunny spells ESE1/2
Offshore
Sightings over the sea involved: 57 Common Scoter, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Red-throated Diver, 3 Shag and a Mediterranean Gull.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 155 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 14 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Woodcock and 2 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A total of 10 Water Pipit were amongst 33 Rock Pipit, two Cetti’s Warbler were logged and additional sightings included Hooded Crow, Barn Owl and Water Rail.
7th February 2024 – overcast the hazy sun V1
Offshore
Sightings over the sea involved: 6,282 Eider, 56 Red-throated Diver, 41 Red-breasted Merganser, 34 Common Scoter, 17 Shag, 3 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and a Great Northern Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Song Thrush and a Redwing while 14 Woodpigeon and 6 Stonechat suggested some additional movement.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 810 Pink-footed Geese flew through in six skeins and 2 Siskin were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Shoveler was the pick of the wildfowl while waders included 105 Sanderling and 3 Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings, amongst the 66 species logged, were 60 Twite and single Merlin and Hooded Crow.
3rd February 2024 – drizzle then sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0845) produced 85 Common Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag and a Goldeneye.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3000 Knot, 700 Lapwing, 650 Golden Plover, 12 Woodcock and a Jack Snipe and at least 208 light-bellied Brent Geese remain widely spread across the island.
Miscellaneous
A Kingfisher was the pick of the sightings while the long-staying Hooded Crow and a Water Rail were the best of the rest.
1st February 2024 – sunny spells W3/5
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0845) produced 85 Common Scoter, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Red-throated Diver, 6 Shag and the first Gannet of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Greenshank and Light-bellied Brent Geese were widespread.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow and 60 Twite were the best of the rest.
Other sightings
A gathering of 60 Grey Seal were seen.
