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.
Hooded Crow and Barn Owl
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.
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.
Short-eared Owl
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.
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.
Hooded Crow
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.
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.
Water Rail and Hooded Crow
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.
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.
Jack Snipe and Hooded Crow
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.
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.
Purple Sandpiper
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.
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.
2024 Report is now available
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.
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.
Marsh Harrier and Short-eared Owl
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.
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.
Water Pipits reappear
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.
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.
Twite flock remains in residence
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.
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.
Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans
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.
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.
Cetti’s Warblers survive the freeze
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.
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.
Short-eared Owl and Woodcock
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.
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.
Hen Harrier and Woodcock
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.
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.
Bird of prey day!
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.
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.
Hint of cold weather movement
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.
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.
Record numbers of dark-bellied Brent Goose
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.
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.
Hooded Crow sees in New Year
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.
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.
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