10th March 2012 – sunny spells W3/4
Rarities
The Water Pipit again appeared in the flooded horse paddocks and fields near Biggar as the high spring tides flooded the salt marshes.
Diurnal Migration
The trickle of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit continues.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and female Scaup were still in residence, the Brent Goose flock held 135 pale-bellied birds and a drake Gadwall was newly arrived. Waders included 10 Purple Sandpiper and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 16 Rock Pipit were also logged.
Long-tailed Duck and Short-eared Owl
6th March 2012 – sunny spells ESE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A single Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
The trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail continues.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and Scaup still remain and 30 pale-beelied Brent Geese were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl attracted the attentions of the wintering Kestrel.
Grounded Migrants
A single Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
The trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail continues.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and Scaup still remain and 30 pale-beelied Brent Geese were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl attracted the attentions of the wintering Kestrel.
Just bits and pieces
5th March 2012 – sunny spells NW4
Offshore
A small movement was noted offshore with 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Common Scoter seen early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Three Goldcrest were seen.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and 2 Jackdaw were on the move.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl and several Little Egret were recorded.
Offshore
A small movement was noted offshore with 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Common Scoter seen early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Three Goldcrest were seen.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and 2 Jackdaw were on the move.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl and several Little Egret were recorded.
Further Goldcrest incursion
3rd March 2012 – rain at times S4/5
Grounded Migrants
A total of 9 Goldcrest were grounded along with small numbers of Greenfinch and Chaffinch.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck remain amongst 20 Goldeneye. Two Greenshank were logged.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 9 Goldcrest were grounded along with small numbers of Greenfinch and Chaffinch.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck remain amongst 20 Goldeneye. Two Greenshank were logged.
Early Goldcrest incursion
2nd March 2012 – overcast and misty start then sunny SE1
Grounded Migrants
At least 10 Goldcrest were grounded by the early morning conditions along with small numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail are now on the move back north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and the flock of 35 Barnacle Geese are all still in residence.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret continue to show well along the eastern shore and a Peregrine was logged.
Grounded Migrants
At least 10 Goldcrest were grounded by the early morning conditions along with small numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail are now on the move back north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and the flock of 35 Barnacle Geese are all still in residence.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret continue to show well along the eastern shore and a Peregrine was logged.
Spring just round the corner?
29th February 2012 – overcast S1
Offshore
A group of 8 Shag were seen along with small numbers of Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A trickle of movement has been noticeable in the last few days with small numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Chaffinch logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and the flock of 35 Barnacle Geese are all still in residence. At least 4 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
Single Short-eared Owl and Little Owl were logged.
Ringing
Foreign recoveries are few and far between so a Willow Warbler controlled at South Walney on 25th April 2010 that had previously been ringed at Polderweg, Vlieland, THE NETHERLANDS (544km E) on 27th August 2008 is especially pleasing.
A couple of Sedge Warbler returns have recently been received. A young bird ringed at South Walney on 18th August 2011 was controlled at Lytchett Bay, Devon (375km SSE) on 24th August 2011 - just six days later. While an adult controlled at South Walney on 23rd April 2011 had previously been ringed at South Milton Ley, Devon (421km S) on 9th August 2010.
A Great Black-backed Gull ringed as a chick at South Walney on 17th June 1988 was found dead at Cockerham Sands, Lancashire (25km ESE) on 15th July 2010 - 22 years and 28 days after ringing and becomes the oldest Great Black-backed Gull to be ringed by the observatory. The pattern of occurrence of recoveries for this species suggests that few venture far from their natal colony.
One of the staple species caught on the island; a couple more interesting Greenfinch recoveries have been received. A young female ringed at South Walney on 1st October 2011 was found dead at Southport, Merseyside (45km SSE) on 25th October 2011 and a male ringed at South Walney on 2nd October 2011 was controlled at Over Kellet, Carnforth, Lancashire on 22nd October 2011.
A trio of interesting Goldfinch returns have been received. A male controlled at South Walney on 25th March 2011 had previously been ringed at Rawcliffe, Lancashire (29km SE) on 10th November 2010, while two young birds trapped and ringed at South Walney during autumn passage on 16th October 2010 were controlled at Baldwins Hill, East Grinstead, Surrey (397km SE) on 21st February 2011 and at Calf of Man, Isle of Man (105km W) on 28th March 2011 respectively.
A Canada Goose controlled at South Walney on 21st September 2010 had previously been ringed at Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria (40km NNE) on 27th September 2009, perhaps it had heard of the proposed cull to take place on Windermere.
Offshore
A group of 8 Shag were seen along with small numbers of Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A trickle of movement has been noticeable in the last few days with small numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Greenfinch and Chaffinch logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and the flock of 35 Barnacle Geese are all still in residence. At least 4 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
Single Short-eared Owl and Little Owl were logged.
Ringing
Foreign recoveries are few and far between so a Willow Warbler controlled at South Walney on 25th April 2010 that had previously been ringed at Polderweg, Vlieland, THE NETHERLANDS (544km E) on 27th August 2008 is especially pleasing.
A couple of Sedge Warbler returns have recently been received. A young bird ringed at South Walney on 18th August 2011 was controlled at Lytchett Bay, Devon (375km SSE) on 24th August 2011 - just six days later. While an adult controlled at South Walney on 23rd April 2011 had previously been ringed at South Milton Ley, Devon (421km S) on 9th August 2010.
A Great Black-backed Gull ringed as a chick at South Walney on 17th June 1988 was found dead at Cockerham Sands, Lancashire (25km ESE) on 15th July 2010 - 22 years and 28 days after ringing and becomes the oldest Great Black-backed Gull to be ringed by the observatory. The pattern of occurrence of recoveries for this species suggests that few venture far from their natal colony.
One of the staple species caught on the island; a couple more interesting Greenfinch recoveries have been received. A young female ringed at South Walney on 1st October 2011 was found dead at Southport, Merseyside (45km SSE) on 25th October 2011 and a male ringed at South Walney on 2nd October 2011 was controlled at Over Kellet, Carnforth, Lancashire on 22nd October 2011.
A trio of interesting Goldfinch returns have been received. A male controlled at South Walney on 25th March 2011 had previously been ringed at Rawcliffe, Lancashire (29km SE) on 10th November 2010, while two young birds trapped and ringed at South Walney during autumn passage on 16th October 2010 were controlled at Baldwins Hill, East Grinstead, Surrey (397km SE) on 21st February 2011 and at Calf of Man, Isle of Man (105km W) on 28th March 2011 respectively.
A Canada Goose controlled at South Walney on 21st September 2010 had previously been ringed at Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria (40km NNE) on 27th September 2009, perhaps it had heard of the proposed cull to take place on Windermere.
First Gannet of the year appears offshore
25th February 2012 – sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning (0800-0900) produced the first Gannet of the year plus 18 Common Scoter and 4 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck, female Scaup and flock of 35 Barnacle Geese were still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 138 pale-bellied and a single dark-bellied bird.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret and around 20 Rock Pipit were logged.
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning (0800-0900) produced the first Gannet of the year plus 18 Common Scoter and 4 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck, female Scaup and flock of 35 Barnacle Geese were still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 138 pale-bellied and a single dark-bellied bird.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret and around 20 Rock Pipit were logged.
Water Pipit reappears
23rd February 2012 – sunny spells then fog SW1
Rarities
A single Water Pipit was again amongst 30 Rock Pipit in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. Please view only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Wildfowl and Waders
The usual suspects remain, the female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and 35 Barnacle Geese are still in residence while the Brent Goose flock held 163 pale-bellied birds. At least 8 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
It was spring on the island briefly, Skylarks were all in song in the mid-morning sunshine, then the fog rolled in. A Raven also put in an appearance.
Rarities
A single Water Pipit was again amongst 30 Rock Pipit in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. Please view only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Wildfowl and Waders
The usual suspects remain, the female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck and 35 Barnacle Geese are still in residence while the Brent Goose flock held 163 pale-bellied birds. At least 8 Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
It was spring on the island briefly, Skylarks were all in song in the mid-morning sunshine, then the fog rolled in. A Raven also put in an appearance.
Colour-ringed Little Egret
19th February 2012 – bright and sunny NW3/4
Offshore
a check over the sea (0815-0915) produced 30 Red-breasted Merganser, 24 Red-throated Diver, 10 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
Single Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail gave the first hints of spring passage.
Wildfowl and Waders
Flocks of 153 pale-bellied Geese and 35 Barnacle Geese were logged. The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck are still in residence amongst 18 Goldeneye and waders included 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A couple of Little Owl and several Little Egret, including a colour ringed bird, were the best of the rest.
Offshore
a check over the sea (0815-0915) produced 30 Red-breasted Merganser, 24 Red-throated Diver, 10 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
Single Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail gave the first hints of spring passage.
Wildfowl and Waders
Flocks of 153 pale-bellied Geese and 35 Barnacle Geese were logged. The female Scaup and Long-tailed Duck are still in residence amongst 18 Goldeneye and waders included 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A couple of Little Owl and several Little Egret, including a colour ringed bird, were the best of the rest.
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