20th March 2025 – bright and sunny E1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) revealed 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Common Scoter, 12 Sandwich Tern, 7 Shag, 6 Gannet, 2 Goosander and a Mediterranean Gull.
Grounded Migrants
Four Chiffchaff, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Redwing, 2 Blackbird and a Coal Tit were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 110 Meadow Pipit, 30 Woodpigeon, 5 Pied Wagtail and 4 Redpoll flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Tawny Owl and 2 Cetti’s Warbler remain and a Buzzard hunted the island. The long-staying Hooded Crow and a Water Rail were the best of the rest.
17th March 2025 – overcast NE2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Common Scoter and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Five Redwing and a Wheatear were seen.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 60 Meadow Pipit, 8 Linnet and 4 Pied Wagtail flew through.
Miscellaneous
Three Short-eared Owl and a Water Rail were the best of the rest.
16th March 2025 – sunny spells V1
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear were logged – the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 70 Meadow Pipit flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included single Woodcock and Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A Water Pipit was the highlight of the day and 2 Water Rail were logged.
15th March 2025 – sunny spells/calm thenW2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 10 Common Scoter, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Three Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Seven Barnacle Geese were seen and waders included 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail were logged, however, not recorded annually, a Tawny Owl calling continuously between 2030-2100hrs was the highlight of the day.
14th March 2025 – sunny spells NE1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 23 Common Scoter, 13 Shag and 10 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A single Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 197 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 517 light-bellied and 2 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 278 Wigeon, 235 Teal, 161 Shelduck, 66 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Shoveler while waders included 2079 Oystercatcher, 614 Golden Plover, 624 Redshank, 520 Knot, 322 Curlew, 117Grey Plover, 15 Greenshank and a Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Raptors included Marsh Harrier and Peregrine and single Hooded Crow and Water Rail remain.
13th March 2025 – sunny spells/showers N1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea (0700-0800) revealed 74 Common Scoter, 13 Red-breasted Merganser and 7 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Water Rail remains.
12th March 2025 – sunny spells/showers N2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0700-0800) revealed 76 Common Scoter, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Guillemot, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet.
Diurnal Migration
A Redpoll and 26 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 350 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and Water Rail remain.
11th March 2025 – sunny spells N1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea (0700-0800) produced 156 Common Scoter, 15 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Guillemot, 4 Red-throated Diver and 3 Razorbil.
Diurnal Migration
Three Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A total of 55 Twite was logged; the Hooded Crow and 2 Water Rail remain and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.
10th March 2025 – bright and sunny/hazy NE3/4
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 36 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow, Merlin and Water Rail remain.
9th March 2025 – sunny spells E3/4
Offshore
A quiet day over the sea with just 2 Common Scoter and a Shag recorded.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 4 Redwing and single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A Red Kite was the highlight of the day while 35 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rook and 2 Pied Wagtail were also logged.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail remains.
8th March 2025 – sunny spells E3/4
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 5 Goldcrest, 4 Redwing and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 30 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Whooper Swan, 11 Meadow Pipit, 2 Siskin, 2 Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and Water Rail remain.
6th March 2025 – bright and sunny ESE2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 3 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Five Stonechat, 4 Pied Wagtail and single White Wagtail and Redwing were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Siskin and a Stock Dove flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
5th March 2025 – overcast SSW3/5
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 32 Common Scoter, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Woodcock was logged.
4th March 2025 – sunny spells SSW2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 17 Kittiwake, 11 Common Scoter and 9 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 2 Water Rail remain.
3rd March 2025 – overcast/light drizzle at times WSW2/3
Grounded Migrants
Two Redwing were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 17 Whooper Swan and a Grey Wagtail headed north.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 5 Water Pipit were seen.
2nd March 2025 – overcast S1/2
Offshore
A scan of the sea at low tide revealed 6150 Eider, 24 Shag and 6 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Two Redwing and 3 Stonechat were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 30 Whooper Swan and a Pied Wagtail headed north.
Miscellaneous
Marsh Harrier and Merlin hunted the island while 8 Water Pipit, 2 Water Rail and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
1st March 2025 – sunny spells SSE1/2
Grounded Migrants
Three Redwing, 2 Great Tit and a Mistle Thrush were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 60 Pink-footed Geese, 45 Whooper Swan and 3 Pied Wagtail headed north.
Miscellaneous
Three Water Rail were the best of the rest.
27th February 2025 – bright and sunny/early frost N1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea early morning produced 20 Shag, 19 Common Scoter and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A single Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 14 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 313 light-bellied Brent Geese, 32 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Goldeneye and 7 Shoveler. Waders included 60 Grey Plover and 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The high tide pushed 8 Water Pipit from the saltmarshes, along with 3 Rock Pipit. Three Water Rail and single Hooded Crow, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
26th February 2025 – sun and showers SW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 183 Common Scoter, 19 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 14 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail were the best of the rest.
25th February 2025 –sunny spells WSW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 168 Common Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver, 13 Kittiwake, 9 Red-breasted Merganser and 6 Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 7 Shoveler were logged.
Miscellaneous
Single Raven and Short-eared Owl were seen.
22nd February 2025 – overcast/misty then sunny SSW2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 31 Common Scoter, 20 Kittiwake, 12 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Two Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Flocks of 10 Woodpigeon and 5 Jackdaw were overhead.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was logged.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Oystercatcher had its origins in Iceland.
19th February 2025 – overcast/showers/cold ESE3/6
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 41 Common Scoter, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Red-throated Diver and 4 Pintail.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 7 Whooper Swan were overhead.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
15th February 2025 – overcast/mist/murk/cold ENE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A total of 8 Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 11 Woodpigeon were overhead.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Greenshank and the leucistic Curlew
Miscellaneous
A Marsh Harrier and Short-eared Owl were the highlights, while Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
14th February 2025 – sunny spells/cold ESE3/6
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 18 Common Scoter, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Red-throated Diver and 10 Shag.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 45 Pink-footed Geese were overhead.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 558 light-bellied and 2 dark-bellied birds while additional wildfowl included 511 Teal, 403 Wigeon11 Barnacle Goose, 5 Shoveler and 3 Whooper Swan. Waders included 3,494 Oystercatcher, 583 Redshank, 530 Curlew, 508 Lapwing, 471 Dunlin, 91 Grey Plover, 64 Sanderling and 7 Greenshank
Miscellaneous
The two Canadian ringed light-bellied Brent Geese remain.
13th February 2025 – overcast/cold ENE3/4
Offshore
A Long-tailed Duck was off the eastern shore.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 11 Barnacle Goose.
Miscellaneous
The high tides pushed 7 Water Pipit from the saltmarshes. The Hooded Crow remains and the Twite flock held 30 birds. Single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
12th February 2025 – overcast/cold ENE3/4
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 11 Barnacle Goose and 4 Shoveler while waders included 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 3 Barn Owl remain. The Twite flock held 70 birds.
11th February 2025 – overcast/cold ENE3/6
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 100 Common Scoter, 28 Red-breasted Merganser, 18 Red-throated Diver, 6 Razorbill, 2 Shag and a Great Northern Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 2 Goosander.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and Short-eared Owl remain.
8th February 2025 – bright and sunny W2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Ten Redwing were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 10 Twite remain; three Water Rail were the best of the rest while a Merlin with a wing length of 240mm identified it as a bird of the Icelandic race.
5th February 2025 – bright and sunny W2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0745-0845) produced the first Gannet of the year, along with 21 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Common Scoter and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Eight Redwing were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Greenshank. Four Barnacle included 2 with green colour-rings, suggesting they were ringed on the Solway.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 35 Twite remain and a Short-eared Owl and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
1st February 2025 – bright and sunny SE2/4
Grounded Migrants
An early White Wagtail was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 90 Pink-footed Geese and a Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Purple Sandpiper and 3 Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and at least one Cetti’s Warbler remain and a Water Rail was the best of the rest.
31st January 2025 – overcast N1
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) revealed 1000 Eider, 54 Red-throated Diver, 16 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Common Scoter, 8 Red-breasted Merganser and 7 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 16 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3000 Oystercatcher, 300 Knot, 200 Dunlin and 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and finches included 35 Twite, 35 Goldfinch, 20 Greenfinch and 15 Linnet.
30th January 2025 – sunny spells WNW2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) revealed 68 Common Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver and 3 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 20 Pink-footed Geese and a Grey Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 17 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and several Barn Owl continue to show.
29th January 2025 – bright and sunny NNW2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0815-0915) revealed 100 Common Scoter, 31 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Red-throated Diver and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 50 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
Both Barn and Short-eared Owl continue to show.
25th January 2025 – sunny spells W4/6
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900), after yesterday’s storm, which saw winds gusting to 72 mph on the island, proved disappointing with just 20 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver and a Shag logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow survived yesterday’s storm.
22nd January 2025 – overcast/fog/mizzle SSE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler were the pick of the wildfowl.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 2 Barn Owl and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
20th January 2025 – overcast/rain/mizzle E1/2
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 84 Canada Goose was a high count, waders included 4 Jack Snipe amongst 14 Snipe while 2 Shoveler and 2 Pintail were amongst 300 Wigeon.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
19th January 2025 – overcast/misty/cold SSE1/2
Offshore
There are now 2 Little Grebe off the eastern shore, also seen were 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Red-throated Diver and 2 Great Crested Grebe.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 75 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Two Barn Owl and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
18th January 2025 – overcast SSE2/4
Miscellaneous
Perhaps four Barn Owl were logged and the 2024 Report has been published and is now available, details are shown in the side bar.
16th January 2025 – bright and sunny ESE1/2
Diurnal Migration
A total of 500 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Two Barn Owl and single Marsh Harrier and Short-eared Owl were the best of the rest.
15th January 2025 – early fog clearing to sunny spells/calm
Offshore
A group of 15 Shag materialised out of the gloom.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 110 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 736 Teal, 695 Wigeon, 245 Shelduck and the Brent Goose flock held 470 light-bellied and a single dark-bellied bird. Waders included 1031 Lapwing, 380 Golden Plover, 12 Greenshank and 6 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The high tide pushed 9 Rock Pipit, 6 Meadow Pipit and 5 Water Pipit into the fields around Biggar. Single Barn Owl and Peregrine were also seen.
14th January 2025 – early fog clearing to mizzle
Grounded Migrants
No evidence of any grounded birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 5 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Eight sightings of Merlin perhaps related to 3 birds. Also seen were 3 Barn Owl and single Peregrine and Water Rail. The Twite flock held 50 birds and the Hooded Crow was seen.
12th January 2025 – overcast/cold ESE1/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 15 Common Scoter, 4 Guillemot and single Shag and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 25 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 80 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 100 light-bellied Brent Goose and 10 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
The flock of 25 Twite remain. Single Barn Owl, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
11th January 2025 – cold and frosty E1/2
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 15 Fieldfare and single Redwing and Mistle Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 45 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 12 Goldeneye, 10 Barnacle Goose and 5 Shoveler and waders included a Purple Sandpiper amongst 30 Turnstone, 4 Greenshank and a Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Cetti’s Warbler remain and 2 Barn Owl, 2 Peregrine and single Short-eared Owl and Merlin were logged. Additional sightings included 2 Coal Tit and single Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
10th January 2025 – cold and frosty NE1/2
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 12 Redwing and a Mistle Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 90 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Woodcock was newly arrived and presumably frozen out of its woodland haunt.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and finches included 25 Twite. Birds of prey involved 3 Barn Owl and single Short-eared Owl and Merlin while 3 Water Rail were logged.
9th January 2025 – bright and frosty/calm
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 40 Fieldfare and 4 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 145 Fieldfare flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Woodcock and 4 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and birds of prey involved 5 Barn Owl and single Hen Harrier and Merlin.
8th January 2025 – cold and frosty NE1
Offshore
Presumably frozen out of its usual haunt, a Little Grebe was off the eastern shore.
Grounded Migrants
Nine Redwing were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Ten Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 10 Shoveler and 5 Goldeneye, waders included 500 Knot and 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and finches included 50 Goldfinch and 25 Twite. Birds of prey involved 3 Barn Owl, 3 Peregrine and single Merlin and Kestrel and 2 Water Rail were logged.
7th January 2025 – hail/sleet showers/early frost WNW3/5
Grounded Migrants
Ten Fieldfare and 10 Redwing were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 60 Lapwing.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and finches included 40 Goldfinch and 16 Greenfinch. A Rock Pipit was amongst 13 Meadow Pipit and the wintering Rook flock held 18 birds.
4th January 2025 – sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
The sheltered eastern shore provided 15 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Shag and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Redwing were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 168 light-bellied and a record 94 dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 3 Water Rail and a Barn Owl were the best of the rest.
1st January 2025 – overcast/showers W4/6
Offshore
Perhaps fittingly an Eider was the first bird of the year. Also seen were 26 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and single Kittiwake and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A single Fieldfare was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Knot, 700 Dunlin and 8 Shoveler were the pick of the wildfowl.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow saw in the New Year and additional sightings involved a Peregrine, 50 Greenfinch and 50 Twite.
