16th February 2011 – bright and sunny SE1/2
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 23 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
Miscellaneous
The second ringing visit of the year to a private woodland site on the island revealed 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit and single Great Spotted Woodpecker and Tree Sparrow amongst the commoner species.ImagesReed Bunting, Great Tit and Coal Tit
15th February 2011 – overcast ESE4/5/6
Offshore
The sea provided 14 Common Scoter, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 120 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain.
Miscellaneous
Just 2 Little Egret were found.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was found stranded on the tideline and 2 Roe Deer were seen.ImagesRoe Deer
14th February 2011 – bright and sunny SSW3
Offshore
Observations over the falling tide (0815-0915) produced 61 Red-breasted Merganser, 47 Common Scoter, 8 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake and small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and Gannet.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was the best of the rest.
12th February 2011 – early fog then sunny/calm
Offshore
A couple of checks of the sea in the morning revealed 65 Common Scoter, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag and a Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Three Mistle Thrush and 2 Redwing were amongst a fog induced early morning influx of Blackbird and Song Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Coot returned to breeding habitat on the island.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 80 birds and single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Merlin and Little Owl were logged.
11th February 2011 – early rain then brighter SE1/2
Offshore
A brief scan of the sea on the ebbing tide revealed 7 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A newly arrived scattering of Song Thrush was evident.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 128 pale-bellied birds and at least 20 Barnacle Geese remain, with both flocks holding regularly seen darvic ringed birds. Waders included 7 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gull present on the island are already starting to build with 100 birds logged. A flock of 80 Twite was seen along with 13 Little Egret – the best count for several months, Merlin and Peregrine.
Images
The first snowdrops are now in evidence
8th February 2011 – sunny spells SE1
Rarities
A single Water Pipit again took advantage of the flooded roadside horse paddocks in the vicinity of Biggar.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 120 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least 7 Little Egret and a Merlin were seen.
5th February 2011 – rain SW1/2
Offshore
A check over the sea through the rain and gloom produced just small numbers of Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Siskin were perhaps the first hint that spring is not too far away,
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 125 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A total of 50 Twite, 2 Little Egret and single Merlin and Little Owl were the best of the rest.
3rd February 2011 – sunny spells SW4/5/6
Offshore
Morning observations on the rising tide (0840-0940) produced variety if not quantity with 21 Common Scoter, 15 Kittiwake, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver, 3 Razorbill, 2 Fulmar and single Guillemot and Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 124 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret and a Merlin were seen.
1st February 2011 - bright and sunny/hazy WSW2/3OffshoreEarly morning observations in poor visibility provided just small numbers of Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser and Red-throated Diver.Wildfowl and WadersA Jack Snipe was new for the year.MiscellaneousA final throw of the dice with regards to adding species for the BTO Winter Atlas again saw visits to several of the less frequented areas - the highlight a Long-eared Owl along with Little Egret and Merlin.
