Goosander headlines

22nd April 2013 – overcast SSW3/4

Offshore

Early morning observations  (0800-0900) provided a drake Goosander among 135 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 25 Manx Shearwater, 17 Gannet, 10 Kittiwake, 6 Guillemot, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Tern and a dark phase Arctic Skua.

Grounded Migrants

Two Whinchat – the first of the year, were amongst 10 Wheatear and 33 White Wagtail otherwise movement remains slow with just single Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler logged.

Diurnal Migration

A few Swallow moved through.

Wildfowl and Waders

Waders included 130 Golden Plover and 7 Whimbrel.

Miscellaneous

Additional sightings included 2 Raven and 2 Little Egret.

Seabird sightings dominate

21st April 2013 – overcast rain soon S4/5

Offshore

Observations prior to the rain (0800-0900) were led by an adult Little Gull amongst 144 Common Scoter, 74 Sandwich Tern, 10 Manx Shearwater, 8 Red-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake, 5 Razorbill, 3 Arctic Tern and single Gannet and Guillemot.

Grounded Migrants

A quieter day produced 29 White Wagtail, 5 Collared Dove, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap.

Wildfowl and Waders

Several Whimbrel were logged.

Miscellaneous

At least three Little Egret remain.

Black Redstart

20th April 2013 – sunny spells NW3/4

Offshore

Early morning observations (0700-0800) produced 240 Common Scoter, 46 Sandwich Tern, 12 Razorbill, 10 Arctic Tern, 5 Gannet, 4 Manx Shearwater, 4 Red-throated Diver, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Guillemot and an adult Little Gull.

Grounded Migrants

A stunning male Black Redstart was the star of the show amongst 55 Wheatear, 41 White Wagtail, 12 Goldcrest, 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and a Grasshopper Warbler.

Diurnal Migration

A flock of 85 Pink-footed Geese flew north early morning with 70 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 3 Lesser Redpoll and single Jay, House Martin and Siskin.

Wildfowl and Waders

Waders included 8 Whimbrel and single Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit.

Miscellaneous

Two Barn Owl and 2 Little Egret were the best of the rest.

Serin in fine voice

19th April 2013 – sunny spells NW3/4

Rarities

A singing male Serin appeared in the observatory garden (1000-1015) before appearing to fly off north.

Offshore

Early morning observations (0800-0900) in much calmer conditions produced 44 Kittiwake, 29 Gannet, 27 Common Scoter, 19 Sandwich Tern, 15 Razorbill, 14 Red-throated Diver, 4 Guillemot, 3 Manx Shearwater and 2 Arctic Tern.

Grounded Migrants

The striking male Yellow Wagtail remains amongst 140 Meadow Pipit, 37 White Wagtail and 6 Pied Wagtail. The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year arrived although passage remains slow with otherwise just 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff logged.

Diurnal Migration

A few Meadow Pipit, Pied/White Wagtail and Swallow continue to move through.

Wildfowl and Waders

The 4 Scaup remain and waders included 8 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank.

Miscellaneous

The Hooded Crow continues in residence.

Images

A couple of record shots of the Serin.

Seabirds take centre stage

18th April 2013 – hazy sun SW 5/6/7
Offshore
Observations through the morning (0830-1030 & 1130-1230) following overnight gales and rain were highlighted by eight Little Gull (7ad + 1stW), 5 Great Skua and single Arctic Skua and Blue Fulmar. Also logged were 160 Kittiwake, 140 Max Shearwater, 50 Gannet, 25 Arctic Tern, 20 Razorbill, 14 Sandwich Tern, 10 Fulmar, 3 Common Scoter, 3 Guillemot, 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 10 Wheatear, 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap .
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to move through despite the conditions.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Whimbrel was the best of the waders and a solitary Brent Goose was logged.
Miscellaneous
At least one Little Egret remains.

More Little Gulls

17th April 2013 – rain at times SSE4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-0930) were highlighted by three adult Little Gull. Also logged were 208 Common Scoter, 10 Arctic Tern, 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Razorbill, 3 Gannet and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
A Yellow Wagtail was amongst 12 White Wagtail and 12 Wheatear while 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were also logged .
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Meadow Pipit and Swallow continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was the best of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.

Manx Shearwater, Great Skua and Little Gull

16th April 2013 – hazy sun SSW4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-0930) in the continued reduced visibility were highlighted by 15 Manx Shearwater, 2 adult Little Gull and a Great Skua along with a supporting cast of 28 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 9 Arctic Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Fulmar and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 11 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear and 3 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Sand Martin and Swallow moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Six Whimbrel were logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Moths
Another Mottled Grey graced the moth trap.

Little Ringed Plover, Arctic Tern, Sand Martin and Yellow Wagtail

15th April 2013 – overcast SSW4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-0930) in poor visibility produced 5 Arctic Tern and 5 adult Little Gulls heading into Morecambe Bay along with 295 Common Scoter, 29 Gannet, 28 Kittiwake, 10 Teal, 5 Fulmar, 5 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver and single drake Pochard and Tufted Duck.
Grounded Migrants
A male Yellow Wagtail was amongst 5 White Wagtail and 2 Wheatear were the best of the rest.
Diurnal Migration
Five Sand Martin were amongst 50 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Little Ringed Plover of the year and a Whimbrel were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was logged.
Moths
A Mottled Grey was just the third moth of the year.

Little Gulls

14th April 2013 – rain clearing later S3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0745-0845) produced 2 adult Little Gulls heading into Morecambe Bay along with 84 Common Scoter, 17 Sandwich Tern, 12 Red-throated Diver, 9 Gannet and 5 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Limited fare with just 2 Wheatear and single Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Fieldfare logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 21 pale-bellied birds and waders included 25 Purple Sandpiper amongst 920 Turnstone and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Egret and Hooded Crow remain.
Moths
A Hebrew Character was just the second moth of the year.