13th October 2011 – overcast E1/2
Grounded Migrants
Finches proved to be the order of the day with 150 Goldfinch, 100 Linnet, 50 Greenfinch and 30 Chaffinch logged along with 5 Goldcrest and single Wheatear and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 9 adult Whooper Swan headed south – the first of the autumn, also seen were 440 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Meadow Pipit, 60 Chaffinch, 60 Skylark, 40 Greenfinch, 10 alba Wagtail, 4 Siskin, 2 Brambling, 2 Lesser Redpoll and single Mistle Thrush and Swallow .
Wildfowl and Waders
A brace of Long-tailed Duck were the pick of the wildfowl.
Ringing
Another good effort by the ringing team saw 122 birds ringed of 11 species with individual totals as follows: Goldfinch (36), Greenfinch (31), Meadow Pipit (20), Chaffinch (19), House Sparrow (4), Linnet (3), Goldcrest (3), Wren (2), Robin (2), Reed Bunting (1) and Dunnock (1).
Moths
Immigrants included Silver Y and Rusty Dot Pearl.
Images
Long-tailed Ducks.
12th October 2011 – heavy/torrential rain, drier later NW4/3/2
Grounded Migrants
A Brambling – the first of the autumn, was the pick of today’s grounded birds which also included: 20 Goldcrest, 20 Greenfinch, 20 Chaffinch, 9 Wheatear, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush and a late Whinchat.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 300 Pink-footed Geese headed south at dusk.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Scaup was newly arrived and waders included 30 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The first 10 Twite have now returned, at least 18 Little Egret were scattered along the eastern shore, 2 Water Rail squealed and 2 Merlin hunted the finch flocks.
Moths
Just 2 Angle Shades troubled the recorder.
11th October 2011 – rain NW4/3/2
Grounded Migrants
Birds grounded by the seemingly incessant belt of rain that has lingered over the island for the last 10 days included: 60 alba Wagtail, 40 Chaffinch, 30 Greenfinch, 4 Wheatear and single Siskin and Lesser Redpoll
Wildfowl and Waders
A late Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
At least 5 Little Egret remain along the eastern shore.
Moths
The rain even got into the moth trap electrics!
10th October 2011 – overcast/rain WSW5/6/7
Offshore
Early mornimg (0900-1100) produced a single Leach’s Petrel moving out of Morecambe Bay along with 22 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill and single Gannet and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
The miserable conditions allowed for little evidence of newly grounded birds, however, a single Wheatear was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A rather impetuous Swallow was seen.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets and Merlin continue to show.
Moths
An Angle Shades was the only attraction to the moth trap.
9th October 2011 – overcast/rain at times WSW4/5
Offshore
After a couple of blank days due to unsuitable winds morning observations (0930-1100) were highlighted by a single Leach’s Petrel moving out of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 30 Common Scoter, 11 Razorbill, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Again there were few grounded birds with 3 Goldcrest the best on offer.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 130 Bar-tailed Godwit roosted over the tide.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret continue to show and raptors included Merlin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
6th October 2011 – overcast/rain at times W4/5/6/7
Offshore
The sea provided little (0800-1000 with just 8 Common Scoter logged.
Grounded Migrants
Again there were few grounded birds with just 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 13 dark-bellied Brent Goose were newly arrived and waders included 32 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 18 Little Egret remain and a Merlin was logged.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was the pick of seawatching activities.
4th October 2011 – overcast/rain at times W4/5
Offshore
The sea provided some autumn variety (0800-0900) with Arctic Skua the pick along with 49 Common Scoter, 4 Gannet, 3 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and single Red-throated Diver and Sandwich Tern .
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 3 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff .
Diurnal Migration
With weather conditions not conducive to migrations single Grey Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll were the best that could be mustered.
Wildfowl and Waders
A few Greenshank continue to be logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 13 Little Egret remain and a Merlin was seen.
Moths
A Blair’s Shoulder-knot captured a few days ago was the first island record.
Images
Blair’s Shoulder-knot.
3rd October 2011 – overcast/rain at times SW3/4/5
Offshore
Early mornimg (0800-0900) produced 32 Common Scoter, 5 Razorbill, 3 Gannt, 3 Shag and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The trickle of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wheatear and Blackcap continues.
Diurnal Migration
The limited highlights involved 2 Swallow, 2 Siskin and a Grey Wagtail.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets and Little Owl continue to show.
Moths
Two Blair's Shoulder-knot supplemented a recent first island record and recent additions for the year involved The Vestal, Treble Bar and Canary Shouldered Thorn.
Images
The Vestal and Treble Bar.
1st October 2011 – overcast/calm
Offshore
A single Gannet was the only bird logged.
Grounded Migrants
Truly grounded birds remained in short supply with a sprinkling of Robin holding 3 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest and single Tree Sparrow, Chiffchaff and Blackcap .
Diurnal Migration
Diurnal migration was again much in evidence with 2500 Meadow Pipit, 550 Pink-footed Goose, 80 alba Wagtail, 80 Greenfinch, 80 Skylark, 60 Linnet, 50 Chaffinch, 30 Siskin, 10 Jackdaw, 10 Starling, 6 Swallow, 4 Grey Wagtail and 4 Lesser Redpoll logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Black-tailed Godwit was amongst 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 14 Little Egret remain and a Merlin was seen.
Ringing
Ideal conditions, heavy cloud to the north with very light winds and a few light showers early morning, provided a remarkable day with a total of over 200 birds of 16 species ringed. Individual totals involved 123 Meadow Pipit, 34 Greenfinch, 14 Chaffinch, 13 Goldfinch, 5 House Sparrow, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest and single Kestrel, Robin, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Linnet, Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Siskin and Wren.
Images
Kestrel and Tree Sparrow.
