18th December 2020 – overcast/rain at times SSE3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced a Great Northern Diver along with 2 Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Shoveler were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
17th December 2020 – sun and showers SSW2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
Two Water Pipits were again in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) were again highlighted by two Little Gulls (adult + first-winter) amongst 78 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 6 Kittiwake, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A fox forgot to check his tide tables.
15th December 2020 – sun and showers SSE3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
Two Water Pipits were again in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) were highlighted by two first-winter Little Gulls amongst 40 Common Scoter, 12 Kittiwake, 6 Razorbill, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 398 pale-bellied birds while additional sightings included 4 Purple Sandpiper and 3 Goosander.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin and 5 Twite were the best of the rest.
14th December 2020 – showers S3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
The latest round of high tides again pushed 2 Water Pipit and 25 Rock Pipit into the flooded horse paddocks in the vicinity of Biggar.
Offshore
The sea provided a minimum of 11 Shag with a further 2 birds to be found sheltering on the island's pools.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6000 Knot and 9 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 30 Twite, 3 Peregrine and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
The colour-ringed Knot from two days ago had been ringed at Straumfjördur, Iceland on 22nd May 2017.
12th December 2020 – early rain clearing WNW4/5
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea as the rain cleared (1000-1100) produced 10 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 7 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three redhead Goosander were logged.Miscellaneous
A group of 30 Twite and 2 Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Knot amongst 500 birds appears to be of Icelandic origin.
7th December 2020 – sunny spells NE1
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 5750 Eider, 32 Shag, 14 Razorbill, 11 Red-throated Diver and 6 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 110 Pink-footed Geese flew over.Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 11 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A total of 11 Stonechat 5 Raven and 2 Merlin were the best of the rest.
5th December 2020 – early rain clearing NE3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-0930) revealed 28 Common Scoter, 21 Razorbill, 15 Red-throated Diver, 4 Pintail and a Shoveler.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 16 Pink-footed Geese were logged.Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail and single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
2nd December 2020 – early rain clearing WNW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea as soon as the rain cleared (0900-1000) produced 115 Razorbill, 101 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Guillemot and a Kittiwake. In addition a Long-tailed Duck was on the sheltered eastern shore as the tide flooded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 410 pale-bellied and 77 dark-bellied Brent Geese and 155 Pintail.
Miscellaneous
A couple of Raven and a Peregrine were the best of the rest.
1st December 2020 – sunny spells/light showers N1
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
The Cetti's Warbler was again calling and showing occasionally from the scrub in the corner of Creephaw Marsh.
Offshore
A scan of the sea provided 15 Red-throated Diver, 12 Common Scoter, 10 Razorbill and a Guillemot. A Shag continues to take refuge on the island's pools.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Redwing . A Goldcrest was the only other passerine of note.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 270 pale-bellied birds while 150 Pintail and 9 Greenshank were also logged.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl hunted at dawn and additional sightings included 30 Twite, 3 Merlin and single Peregrine and Water Rail.
Mammals
Three Harbour Porpoise were offshore.
