9th May 2013 – overcast/rain soon SE4/5
Offshore
Morning observations just prior to the rain (0800-0900) produced 32 Sandwich Tern, 20 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet, 10 Manx Shearwater, 7 Guillemot, and single Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Little Tern, Kittiwake and Razorbill
Grounded Migrants
A solitary Chiffchaff was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow came in off the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Whimbrel.
Moths
The moth trap was again devoid of life in what has been perhaps the worst spring ever!.
Lesser Redpoll control
8th May 2013 – overcast with rain/drizzle SE3
Offshore
Early morning between the showers produced 75 Sandwich Tern, 18 Gannet, 7 Little Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 3 Razorbill and single Arctic Skua and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a handful of Willow Warbler, Wheatear and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow when the weather relented around noon.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 1000 Dunlin, 72 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Whimbrel were the best of the waders.
Ringing
A Lesser Redpoll control was perhaps long overdue.
Moths
Brown Silver-line was new for the year.
Offshore
Early morning between the showers produced 75 Sandwich Tern, 18 Gannet, 7 Little Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 3 Razorbill and single Arctic Skua and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a handful of Willow Warbler, Wheatear and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow when the weather relented around noon.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 1000 Dunlin, 72 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Whimbrel were the best of the waders.
Ringing
A Lesser Redpoll control was perhaps long overdue.
Moths
Brown Silver-line was new for the year.
Common Scoter on the move early morning
7th May 2013 – bright and sunny E1
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0830) produced totals of 335 Common Scoter, 275 Sandwich Tern, 15 Razorbill, 7 Red-throated Diver, 6 Arctic Tern, 4 Little Tern, 3 Common Tern and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
There was an overnight influx of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat into breeding areas and truly grounded birds included 14 Willow Warbler, 8 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow again dominated with a further 100 birds logged along with 12 Lesser Redpoll, 8 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Whimbrel was the best on offer.
Miscellaneous
A single Raven was the best of the rest.
Moths
The joint largest catch of the year so far comprised 4 Early Thorn and a Hebrew Character.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0830) produced totals of 335 Common Scoter, 275 Sandwich Tern, 15 Razorbill, 7 Red-throated Diver, 6 Arctic Tern, 4 Little Tern, 3 Common Tern and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
There was an overnight influx of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat into breeding areas and truly grounded birds included 14 Willow Warbler, 8 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow again dominated with a further 100 birds logged along with 12 Lesser Redpoll, 8 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Whimbrel was the best on offer.
Miscellaneous
A single Raven was the best of the rest.
Moths
The joint largest catch of the year so far comprised 4 Early Thorn and a Hebrew Character.
Diurnal migration peps up
6th May 2013 – sunny spells W3
Offshore
Morning observations (0745-0845) logged 164 Sandwich Tern, 155 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 14 Manx Shearwater, 12 Razorbill, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Guillemot, 7 Little Tern and 5 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A slight increase in the number of grounded birds produced 17 Wheatear, 6 White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow dominated with 100 birds logged, also seen wee 3 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel.
Butterflies
The first Green-veined White were on the wing.
Offshore
Morning observations (0745-0845) logged 164 Sandwich Tern, 155 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 14 Manx Shearwater, 12 Razorbill, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Guillemot, 7 Little Tern and 5 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A slight increase in the number of grounded birds produced 17 Wheatear, 6 White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow dominated with 100 birds logged, also seen wee 3 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel.
Butterflies
The first Green-veined White were on the wing.
Seabirds dominate sightings
5th May 2013 – overcast SW 3 then SW5/6
Offshore
Observations (0730-0800 & 0930-1200) produced totals of 212 Sandwich Tern, 140 Manx Shearwater, 76 Guillemot, 69 Kittiwake, 62 Razorbill, 23 Gannet, 19 Common Scoter, 18 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Arctic Tern, 10 Red-throated Diver, 8 Little Tern, 4 Shag and 3 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Just 5 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow were seen before the wind increased.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 250 Turnstone and 5 Whimbrel.
Offshore
Observations (0730-0800 & 0930-1200) produced totals of 212 Sandwich Tern, 140 Manx Shearwater, 76 Guillemot, 69 Kittiwake, 62 Razorbill, 23 Gannet, 19 Common Scoter, 18 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Arctic Tern, 10 Red-throated Diver, 8 Little Tern, 4 Shag and 3 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Just 5 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow were seen before the wind increased.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 250 Turnstone and 5 Whimbrel.
Yellow Wagtail
4th May 2013 – overcast, early drizzle W2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) produced 117 Common Scoter, 74 Sandwich Tern, 60 Arctic Tern – all in one flock, 56 Gannet, 16 Guillemot, 13 Kittiwake, 11 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill, 4 Common Tern and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were rather thin on the ground with just 9 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap and White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to 10 Lesser Redpoll and a Yellow Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
A pair of Gadwall were seen and waders included 4 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Single Raven, Barn Owl and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Moths
Dark Sword-grass was new for the year.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) produced 117 Common Scoter, 74 Sandwich Tern, 60 Arctic Tern – all in one flock, 56 Gannet, 16 Guillemot, 13 Kittiwake, 11 Red-throated Diver, 7 Razorbill, 4 Common Tern and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were rather thin on the ground with just 9 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap and White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to 10 Lesser Redpoll and a Yellow Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
A pair of Gadwall were seen and waders included 4 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Single Raven, Barn Owl and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Moths
Dark Sword-grass was new for the year.
Goldfinch control
3rd May 2013 – overcast SW3
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) provided variety with 100 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 23 Razorbill, 21 Kittiwake, 15 Manx Shearwater, 9 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of many grounded birds with just 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Dunlin, 100 Turnstone and 80 Ringed Plover.
Ringing
Just a handful of Linnet and Goldfinch were ringed but they included a controlled bird.
Moths
The moth trap held 4 Early Thorn and the first Double-striped Pug of the year.
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) provided variety with 100 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 23 Razorbill, 21 Kittiwake, 15 Manx Shearwater, 9 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of many grounded birds with just 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Dunlin, 100 Turnstone and 80 Ringed Plover.
Ringing
Just a handful of Linnet and Goldfinch were ringed but they included a controlled bird.
Moths
The moth trap held 4 Early Thorn and the first Double-striped Pug of the year.
The morning after the day before!
2nd May 2013 – bright and sunny E1
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0830) 23 Sandwich Tern, 14 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Given that the conditions were not conducive to grounded birds a showing of just 12 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff was disappointing though not unexpected.
Diurnal Migration
Four Lesser Redpoll were the only species of note amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Scaup remain and waders included 15 Whimbrel.
Moths
The moth trap continues to be devoid of life – the worst start to the year that can be remembered!
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0830) 23 Sandwich Tern, 14 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Given that the conditions were not conducive to grounded birds a showing of just 12 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff was disappointing though not unexpected.
Diurnal Migration
Four Lesser Redpoll were the only species of note amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Scaup remain and waders included 15 Whimbrel.
Moths
The moth trap continues to be devoid of life – the worst start to the year that can be remembered!
Bee-eater star of the show
1st May 2013 – bright and sunny SW2/3
Rarities
An exceptional start to the month with a Bee-eater hawking over roadside horse paddocks at Biggar before drifting off low over the fields to the north.
Offshore
Morning observations (0715-0900) provided 72 Common Scoter, 46 Sandwich Tern, 36 Manx Shearwater, 34 Arctic Tern, 15 Razorbill, 11 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet and 4 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
As is typical on Walney when something exciting does turn up there was little else grounded. Additional sightings involved just 21 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and single Cuckoo, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. However, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler are now lightly dispersed in breeding localities across the island.
Diurnal Migration
Four Lesser Redpoll were the only species of note logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A few Teal continue to linger and waders included 6 Whimbrel.
Rarities
An exceptional start to the month with a Bee-eater hawking over roadside horse paddocks at Biggar before drifting off low over the fields to the north.
Offshore
Morning observations (0715-0900) provided 72 Common Scoter, 46 Sandwich Tern, 36 Manx Shearwater, 34 Arctic Tern, 15 Razorbill, 11 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet and 4 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
As is typical on Walney when something exciting does turn up there was little else grounded. Additional sightings involved just 21 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and single Cuckoo, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. However, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler are now lightly dispersed in breeding localities across the island.
Diurnal Migration
Four Lesser Redpoll were the only species of note logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A few Teal continue to linger and waders included 6 Whimbrel.
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