14th March 2012 – overcast/calm, murky later
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver and a flock of 20 Pintail.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds were led by 14 Goldcrest and a scattering of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail as the murk closed in.
Diurnal Migration
Three skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 220 birds headed north and 140 Meadow Pipit and 26 Pied Wagtail were again on the move, also logged were 3 Siskin.
Miscellaneous
Raptors were represented by Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
Moths
Another Mottled Grey graced the moth traps.
First Chiffchaff arrive
13th March 2012 – overcast/calm
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds included the first 2 Chiffchaff of the year amongst a sprinkling of Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 80 Meadow Pipit, 4 Siskin and 2 Pied Wagtail moved through.
Miscellaneous
A few Little Egret continue to roam along the eastern shore.
Moths
After 73 nights continuous operation the moth traps finally yielded the first attractions of the year in the form of 3 Mottled Grey and a Common Quaker.
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds included the first 2 Chiffchaff of the year amongst a sprinkling of Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 80 Meadow Pipit, 4 Siskin and 2 Pied Wagtail moved through.
Miscellaneous
A few Little Egret continue to roam along the eastern shore.
Moths
After 73 nights continuous operation the moth traps finally yielded the first attractions of the year in the form of 3 Mottled Grey and a Common Quaker.
Twite and Short-eared Owl
12th March 2012 – overcast W1
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds included 5 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 30 Meadow Pipit and a single Pied Wagtail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wintering wildfowl and waders have decreased rapidly over the last few weeks but highlights of the monthly WeBS count involved: 3400 Eider, 2960 Oystercatcher, 1020 Redshank, 550 Knot, 530 Turnstone, 450 Dunlin, 438 Curlew, 270 Grey Plover, 205 Teal, 191 Shelduck, 153 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 150 Cormorant, 147 Wigeon, 56 Mallard, 45 Snipe, 22 Purple Sandpiper, 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Goldeneye, 6 Shoveler and 2 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl and 60 Twite were recorded.
Offshore
Calm seas revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Newly grounded birds included 5 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 30 Meadow Pipit and a single Pied Wagtail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wintering wildfowl and waders have decreased rapidly over the last few weeks but highlights of the monthly WeBS count involved: 3400 Eider, 2960 Oystercatcher, 1020 Redshank, 550 Knot, 530 Turnstone, 450 Dunlin, 438 Curlew, 270 Grey Plover, 205 Teal, 191 Shelduck, 153 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 150 Cormorant, 147 Wigeon, 56 Mallard, 45 Snipe, 22 Purple Sandpiper, 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Goldeneye, 6 Shoveler and 2 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl and 60 Twite were recorded.
Siskin start to move through
11th March 2012 – overcast drizzle at times NW1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced 5 Shag and small numbers Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A Goldcrest was amongst a small fall of Blackbirds.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a small passage of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and female Scaup were again in residence and the drake Gadwall remains. Waders included 7 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit
Ringing
One of the pale-bellied Brent Goose was found to be colour-ringed, initial investigations suggest that it was originally ringed in Iceland.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced 5 Shag and small numbers Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A Goldcrest was amongst a small fall of Blackbirds.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a small passage of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck and female Scaup were again in residence and the drake Gadwall remains. Waders included 7 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit
Ringing
One of the pale-bellied Brent Goose was found to be colour-ringed, initial investigations suggest that it was originally ringed in Iceland.
Water Pipit reappears
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)