2nd July 2012 – rain at times SSE2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea provided just small numbers of Gannet and Manx Shearwater.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Grey Plover and a Greenshank amongst 465 Curlew.
Miscellaneous
Post-breeding flocks of finches are already starting to develop with 100 Linnet logged.
Breeding Birds
It appears to be yet another poor breeding season for the local Eider population with very few young seen.
Scoters head south
1st July 2012 – rain at times SW5
Offshore
Observations through the morning (0600-0930) produced 320 Common Scoter, 140 Gannet, 135 Manx Shearwater, 14 Common Tern, 7 Fulmar, 6 Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 10 Black-tailed Godwit was the only other record of note.
Offshore
Observations through the morning (0600-0930) produced 320 Common Scoter, 140 Gannet, 135 Manx Shearwater, 14 Common Tern, 7 Fulmar, 6 Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 10 Black-tailed Godwit was the only other record of note.
First Greenshank of the autumn
30th June 2012 – sunny spells SW5
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0600-0930) included 125 Manx Shearwater, 60 Common Scoter, 51 Gannet, 50 Little Tern, 45 Arctic Tern, 35 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern, 6 Guillemot, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Razorbill and a Fulmar
Diurnal Migration
Three Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 33 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank – the latter the first of the autumn.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Meadow Brown was on the wing while White Satin and Clay made their first appearance of the year in the moth trap.
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0600-0930) included 125 Manx Shearwater, 60 Common Scoter, 51 Gannet, 50 Little Tern, 45 Arctic Tern, 35 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern, 6 Guillemot, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Razorbill and a Fulmar
Diurnal Migration
Three Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 33 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank – the latter the first of the autumn.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Meadow Brown was on the wing while White Satin and Clay made their first appearance of the year in the moth trap.
Black-tailed Godwit on the move
29th June 2012 – sunny spells SSW3/4
Offshore
An hour looking over the sea on the mornings falling tide (0845-0945) produced a few birds with 40 Gannet, 35 Manx Shearwater, 20 Kittiwake, 9 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Scoter, 5 Guillemot, 2 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Tern logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Teal are already beginning to return and waders included 42 Black-tailed Godwit and small numbers of Knot and Dunlin.
Moths
It remains a very poor year so far for moths, however, recent new additions for the year include Small Angle Shades, Small Clouded Brindle, Dark Spectacle and Riband Wave.
Offshore
An hour looking over the sea on the mornings falling tide (0845-0945) produced a few birds with 40 Gannet, 35 Manx Shearwater, 20 Kittiwake, 9 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Scoter, 5 Guillemot, 2 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Tern logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Teal are already beginning to return and waders included 42 Black-tailed Godwit and small numbers of Knot and Dunlin.
Moths
It remains a very poor year so far for moths, however, recent new additions for the year include Small Angle Shades, Small Clouded Brindle, Dark Spectacle and Riband Wave.
Another Storm Petrel
24th June 2012 – overcast/showers W3
Offshore
Offshore observations on the rising tide (1130-1230) produced another Storm Petrel and 5 Little Tern amongst small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Manx Shearwater, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern and Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap was newly arrived.
Offshore
Offshore observations on the rising tide (1130-1230) produced another Storm Petrel and 5 Little Tern amongst small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Manx Shearwater, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern and Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap was newly arrived.
Storm Petrels
23rd June 2012 – overcast W5/6
Offshore
A day for checking over the sea with a series of observations through the day producing totals of 230 Gannet, 145 Manx Shearwater, 90 Common Scoter, 26 Fulmar, 26 Kittiwake, 10 Common Tern, 10 Storm Petrel, 9 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Tern and a Little Tern .
Grounded Migrants
A Wheatear was newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 34 Black-tailed Godwit were the first hint that waders are already beginning to return.
Offshore
A day for checking over the sea with a series of observations through the day producing totals of 230 Gannet, 145 Manx Shearwater, 90 Common Scoter, 26 Fulmar, 26 Kittiwake, 10 Common Tern, 10 Storm Petrel, 9 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Tern and a Little Tern .
Grounded Migrants
A Wheatear was newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 34 Black-tailed Godwit were the first hint that waders are already beginning to return.
Osprey strikes
19th June 2012 – bright and sunny WSW2
Offshore
Offshore observations (0815-0915) produced small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern and Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was newly arrived – but which way was it heading?.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 50 Knot, 7 Dunlin and 3 Sanderling.
Miscellaneous
An Osprey flew in off the sea at 1030, caught a fish along the eastern shore and then settled down on the sands to feast on its catch.
Moths
A Strawberry Tortrix would appear to be new for the island while recent new additions for the year include Ghost Moth, Nutmeg, Shore Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot and Dark Sword Grass.
Offshore
Offshore observations (0815-0915) produced small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern and Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was newly arrived – but which way was it heading?.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 50 Knot, 7 Dunlin and 3 Sanderling.
Miscellaneous
An Osprey flew in off the sea at 1030, caught a fish along the eastern shore and then settled down on the sands to feast on its catch.
Moths
A Strawberry Tortrix would appear to be new for the island while recent new additions for the year include Ghost Moth, Nutmeg, Shore Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot and Dark Sword Grass.
Puffin Brace
14th June 2012 – bright and sunny E3/4
Offshore
In recent years June has been the month to see Puffin off Walney and true to form observations (0815-0915) produced two birds heading into Morecambe Bay. Also seen were small numbers of Razorbill, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern and a lone Barnacle Goose heading north.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was newly arrived and presumably still heading to its breeding grounds.
Moths
Burnish Brass and Gold Spot are the latest new additions for the year.
Offshore
In recent years June has been the month to see Puffin off Walney and true to form observations (0815-0915) produced two birds heading into Morecambe Bay. Also seen were small numbers of Razorbill, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern and a lone Barnacle Goose heading north.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was newly arrived and presumably still heading to its breeding grounds.
Moths
Burnish Brass and Gold Spot are the latest new additions for the year.
A quiet day at last!
11th June 2012 – overcast NE1
Offshore
A check over a calm sea (0730-0830) revealed just small numbers of Fulmar, Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A Chiffchaff was the only evidence of newly arrived birds.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of House Martin continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 115 Knot, 11 Sanderling and 4 Whimbrel.
Moths
The first Ingrailed Clay and Middle-barred Minor of the year have now emerged and immigrants involved 2 Diamond-backed Moth and a Silver Y.
Offshore
A check over a calm sea (0730-0830) revealed just small numbers of Fulmar, Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A Chiffchaff was the only evidence of newly arrived birds.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of House Martin continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 115 Knot, 11 Sanderling and 4 Whimbrel.
Moths
The first Ingrailed Clay and Middle-barred Minor of the year have now emerged and immigrants involved 2 Diamond-backed Moth and a Silver Y.
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