10th August 2011 –rain SW6/7/8
Offshore
Morning observations (0930-1100) were again led by a single Great Skua pursuing the local Cormorant population, also seen were 31 Gannet, 24 Sandwich Tern, 8 Kittiwake, 8 Manx Shearwater and single Razorbill and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Three Wheatear remained from yesterdays influx.
Wildfowl and Waders
The single Ruff was again the pick of the waders.
Moths
The Old Lady was found indoors trying to escape the elements – the first island record, while Scrobipalpa costella was new for the year.
Images
Old Lady.
9th August 2011 –sunny spells NW3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0730) were led by a single Great Skua ruthlessly pursuing a Cormorant along with 43 Gannet and small numbers of Sandwich Tern and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear were on the move with 14 birds logged, also seen were the first Robin of the autumn and small numbers of Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
The single Ruff was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Little Owl sheltered from the wind.
Moths
Another much reduced catch although Tawny Speckled Pug was new for the year.
8th August 2011 –sunny spells WNW4/5/6
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) were disappointing with just 24 Common Scoter, 16 Gannet, 12 Sandwich Tern, 3 Manx Shearwater and a Little Tern recorded.
Grounded Migrants
Little evidence of any newly grounded birds with a few Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler considered leftovers from previous days.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders continued to provide the main interest with 14 Knot, 10 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel and single Ruff and Little Ringed Plover logged.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl sheltered from the wind.
Moths
A much reduced catch and Hedge Rustic was the only new addition to the year list.
7th August 2011 – sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning produced just small numbers of Manx Shearwater and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only a few grounded birds were evident with a single Whinchat the highlight amongst small numbers of Wheatear, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Several Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Little Ringed Plover remains and was joined today by a Ruff.
Miscellaneous
At least 6 Little Egret are now along the eastern shore.
Moths
Platyptilia gonodactyla was the highlight of the moth traps.
6th August 2011 – overcast/showers V1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced just small numbers of Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Another smattering of grounded birds involved 32 Willow Warbler, 26 Pied Wagtail, 12 Sedge Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A couple of Yellow Wagtail and 5 Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A good selection of waders included 6 Greenshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and single Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was also logged.
Butterflies and Moths
A Painted Lady and Coast Dart were the first of the year.
Images
Juvenile Sedge Warbler and female Blackcap in heavy wing moult.
4th August 2011 – overcast/rain at first V1/2
Offshore
Another quick check over the sea mid-morning revealed 30 Sandwich Tern and smaller numbers of Little Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Common Scoter and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Quieter than recent days with just 25 Pied Wagtail, 14 Sedge Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail and single Lesser Whitethroat and Cuckoo logged.
Diurnal Migration
Six Sand Martin and a Swift were recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Little Stint continues in residence, also seen were 60 Sanderling, 3 Common Sandpiper and several Greenshank and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The 4 Little Egret again roosted along the eastern shore on the rising tide.
Moths
The moth traps produced another reduced catch, 351 moths of 60 species were identified with Dark Arches (66) and White-line Dart (43) the top species. Highlights included Small Rufous (7), Fen Wainscot (2), Archers Dart (2), Dark Spectacle (1), Southern Wainscot (1), The Fan-foot (1) and Chilo Phragmitella (1).
3rd August 2011 – overcast then sunny spells W1/2
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning revealed just 30 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Another smattering of grounded birds included 19 Willow Warbler, 13 Whitethroat, 11 Sedge Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler and single Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Little Stint remains, also seen were 2 Common Sandpiper and several Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Hirundines still continue to congregate on the wires early morning with 100 Swallow and a Sand Martin logged. At least 4 Little Egret roosted along the eastern shore on the rising tide.
Moths
The moth traps produced a much reduced catch with just 53 species identified, the highlights were the first Small Wainscot and Rhomboid Tortrix of the year.
2nd August 2011 – early rain then sunny spells SW1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning revealed a feeding flock of 150 Sandwich Tern, 10 Arctic Tern and 3 Gannet while a group of 20 Common Scoter headed south.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of grounded birds included a Yellow Wagtail amongst 10 Pied Wagtail and a Whinchat amongst 4 Wheatear along with 20 Willow Warbler, 10 Sedge Warbler and 5 Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Little Stint remains, also seen were 160 Dunlin, 100 Sanderling, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper and several Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Both Barn Owl and Peregrine were logged.
Moths
The moth traps produced another varied selection with 69 species identified, the highlight of which was a Flame Carpet, a less than annual visitant.
1st August 2011 – bright start/light rain soon WNW2
Rarities
Early morning drizzle delayed ringing activities and prompted a fortuitous check of the waders in the central marsh at South Walney Nature Reserve. The result a splendid Spotted Crake feeding along the edge of one of the small pools for around five minutes before it disappeared back into the vegetation.
Grounded Migrants
Noticeably quieter than yesterday with just 20 Pied Wagtail, 8 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and 3 Sedge Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Little Stint remains, also seen were Whimbrel, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper.
Moths
The moth traps produced another varied selection with 70 species identified. Highlights were Sand Dart, Six-striped Rustic, True Lovers Knot and Small Angle Shades.
