13th April 2013 – early fog/rain later SSE1/2/3/4
Offshore
Observations were highlighted by 7 Shag and 2 Little Tern, also logged were 27 Razorbill, 16 Sandwich Tern and small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Common Scoter and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Variety, if not quantity, was led by two more Ring Ouzel amongst 11 Blackbird, the first Willow Warbler of the year amongst 11 Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaff, 23 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Coal Tit.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 50 Pink-footed Geese headed north and the first few Swallow were amongst 1030 Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 25 Barnacle Geese and 4 Scaup while 160 Sanderling, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank and 3 Purple Sandpiper were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail were logged while 43 Twite and the long-staying Hooded Crow remain.
Butterflies
Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock are now on the wing.
Ring Ouzels and Redstart!
12th April 2013 – overcast E2/3
Offshore
Early morning sightings were limited to just a few Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few more birds were around today with a Ring Ouzel and Redstart the highlights amongst 60 Wheatear, 20 Blackbird, 10 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A Buzzard flew northeast, a Ring Ouzel was amongst 6 Blackbird and 2 Fieldfare and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was also on the move. Meadow Pipit passage continues with 500 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a flock of 8000 Knot that were flushed by the Buzzard and the Brent Goose flock again held 22 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail squealed from suitable breeding habitat and the Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Early morning sightings were limited to just a few Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few more birds were around today with a Ring Ouzel and Redstart the highlights amongst 60 Wheatear, 20 Blackbird, 10 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A Buzzard flew northeast, a Ring Ouzel was amongst 6 Blackbird and 2 Fieldfare and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was also on the move. Meadow Pipit passage continues with 500 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a flock of 8000 Knot that were flushed by the Buzzard and the Brent Goose flock again held 22 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail squealed from suitable breeding habitat and the Hooded Crow remains.
Chiffchaff at last!
11th April 2013 – overcast/rain later ESE3
Offshore
Again early morning observations produced just a few Razorbill, Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Although the first Chiffchaff finally arrived sightings otherwise were limited to 10 Blackbird, 5 Wheatear and a Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
The continued trickle of Meadow Pipit was the only movement of note.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock again held 22 pale-bellied birds while 23 Purple Sandpiper were amongst 640 Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Egret, Raven and Hooded Crow remain in residence.
Offshore
Again early morning observations produced just a few Razorbill, Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Although the first Chiffchaff finally arrived sightings otherwise were limited to 10 Blackbird, 5 Wheatear and a Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
The continued trickle of Meadow Pipit was the only movement of note.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock again held 22 pale-bellied birds while 23 Purple Sandpiper were amongst 640 Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Egret, Raven and Hooded Crow remain in residence.
Ring Ouzel but still no Chiffchaff
10th April 2013 – hazy sun SE2
Offshore
Again early signtings were limited to a few Razorbill, Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A cracking male Ring Ouzel amongst 25 Blackbird proved to be the highlight of the day with other sightings including 2 Goldcrest and single Wheatear, Redwing and Song Thrush .
Diurnal Migration
A Common Buzzard circled the island (1015-1115) before heading northeast, otherwise passage was limited to a further trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 22 pale bellied birds,a Purple Sandpiper amongst 110 Turnstone and 2 Black-tailed Godwit amongst 80 Redshank were the wader highlights.
Miscellaneous
The 7 Twite and single Little Egret and Hooded Crow remain in residence.
Offshore
Again early signtings were limited to a few Razorbill, Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A cracking male Ring Ouzel amongst 25 Blackbird proved to be the highlight of the day with other sightings including 2 Goldcrest and single Wheatear, Redwing and Song Thrush .
Diurnal Migration
A Common Buzzard circled the island (1015-1115) before heading northeast, otherwise passage was limited to a further trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 22 pale bellied birds,a Purple Sandpiper amongst 110 Turnstone and 2 Black-tailed Godwit amongst 80 Redshank were the wader highlights.
Miscellaneous
The 7 Twite and single Little Egret and Hooded Crow remain in residence.
Spring passage stalls again
9th April 2013 – hazy sun ENE5/6
Offshore
Early morning observation produced just a handful of Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Six Blackbird, 3 Robin and single Wheatear and Song Thrush was the best that could be mustered .
Diurnal Migration
Just a further trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 23 pale bellied birds and a flock of 275 Golden Plover was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret and Hooded Crow remain in residence.
Offshore
Early morning observation produced just a handful of Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Six Blackbird, 3 Robin and single Wheatear and Song Thrush was the best that could be mustered .
Diurnal Migration
Just a further trickle of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 23 pale bellied birds and a flock of 275 Golden Plover was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret and Hooded Crow remain in residence.
Early Whimbrel arrives
8th April 2013 – overcast E4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 20 Sandwich Tern and small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear were the only candidates.
Diurnal Migration
Meadow Pipit numbers returned to a trickle.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 67 pale-bellied birds and a early Whimbrel provided the wader highlight.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow appears to be paired to a Carrion Crow which may lead to identification issues later in the year. Also seen were 7 Twite and 2 Little Egret.
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 20 Sandwich Tern and small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear were the only candidates.
Diurnal Migration
Meadow Pipit numbers returned to a trickle.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 67 pale-bellied birds and a early Whimbrel provided the wader highlight.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow appears to be paired to a Carrion Crow which may lead to identification issues later in the year. Also seen were 7 Twite and 2 Little Egret.
Spring passage finally gathers pace
7th April 2013 – hazy sun NE3
Offshore
Early morning observations produced small numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Razorbill and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few more birds than recent times with 50 Blackbird, 19 Goldcrest, 9 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat and a Redwing logged – though the species recorded were more suggestive of mid-March.
Diurnal Migration
Meadow Pipit were on the move throughout the morning with 2120 birds logged, also seen were 36 Pied/White Wagtail and single Grey Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 18 Purple Sandpiper provided the wader highlight for the day.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included 7 Twite, 2 Raven and single Hooded Crow and Little Egret.
Offshore
Early morning observations produced small numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Razorbill and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few more birds than recent times with 50 Blackbird, 19 Goldcrest, 9 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat and a Redwing logged – though the species recorded were more suggestive of mid-March.
Diurnal Migration
Meadow Pipit were on the move throughout the morning with 2120 birds logged, also seen were 36 Pied/White Wagtail and single Grey Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 18 Purple Sandpiper provided the wader highlight for the day.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included 7 Twite, 2 Raven and single Hooded Crow and Little Egret.
Red-necked Grebe remains
6th April 2013 – bright and sunny SE1
Offshore
The Red-necked Grebe was again present early morning and additional sightings included: 120 Common Scoter, 25 Red-breasted Merganser, 16 Kittiwake, 12 Red-throated Diver, 12 Razorbill and 6 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of passage produced 7 Blackbird, 5 Robin, 4 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest and a Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
An increase in Meadow Pipit numbers moving through produced 240 birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank were the best of the waders. A flock of 30 Barnacle Geese were also logged.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Owl and Little Egret were the best of the rest.
Red-necked Grebe reappears
5th April 2013 – overcast NE3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations produced a summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe – presumably the bird seen earlier in the year. Also logged were 100 Common Scoter, 30 Razorbill, 18 Sandwich Tern, 6 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A solitary Wheatear was the only evidence of spring.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail continue to struggle through.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Little Egret and 2 Raven were the remaining highlights.
Ringing
A Lesser Redpoll ringed on the island on 27th October 2011 reappeared at Llanfyllin, Powys, Wales on 21st April 2012 – the first Walney ringed Lesser Redpoll to be recovered.
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