10th November 2021 – sunny spells/ calm
Rarities
A Dusky Warbler was calling frequently and showing occasionally from the reeds and scrub below the hide in the central marsh at South Walney Nature Reserve. View only from the fence and do not enter the restricted area. Also seen was a Yellow-browed Warbler – feeding in the bushes in the vicinity of the car park.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 21 Redwing, 8 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush. Three Goldcrest were the only additional grounded birds
Diurnal Migration
A few birds remain on the move, sightings included 100 Pink-footed Goose, 14 Whooper Swan, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 11 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 3 Rock Pipit and a Stock Dove – by recent standards it has been an exceptional autumn for this species.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock has increased to 30 birds while 6 Raven and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
9th November 2021 – overcast/mizzle at times SSW4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0930) were led by a Great Northern Diver heading into Morecambe Bay at 0830hrs. Also seen were 114 Common Scoter and single Red-throated Diver and Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 15 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
8th November 2021 – overcast/mizzle then showers SSE2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 6 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Morning thrushes involved 43 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 14 Blackbird and 2 Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
A few species continue to move through with 2310 Starling, 66 Chaffinch, 64 Brambling, 60 Woodpigeon, 15 Greenfinch, 9 Siskin, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Tree Sparrow and a Grey Wagtail logged.
Miscellaneous
Water Rail and Merlin were the best of the rest.
7th November 2021 – overcast/showers WNW5/6/7
Offshore
Observations over the sea (1000-1100) revealed 29 Shag, 12 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Common Scoter and 3 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 211 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 1325 Wigeon were logged. Waders included 3 Jack Snipe amongst 132 Snipe and 12 Greenshank amongst 1451 Redshank, along with, 6950 Oystercatcher, 980 Dunlin, 598 Curlew, 137 Grey Plover and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 49 Little Egret were along the eastern shore while 2 Water Rail and single Peregrine and Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Mammals
Six pups were amongst the Grey Seal colony.
6th November 2021 – overcast/showers then rain SW5/6/7
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0915) was highlighted by a Little Auk heading into Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 132 Common Scoter, 32 Razorbill, 20 Kittiwake, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A single Fieldfare was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.
5th November 2021 – early drizzle then sunny spells, calm then WNW2
Rarities
A Water Pipit was amongst Rock Pipit in the horse fields at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A check of the sea at dawn revealed a post roost gathering of 37 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 65 Redwing, 33 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush and 2 Mistle Thrush. Also seen were 2 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
The early morning drizzle put a dampener on sightings with just 230 Starling, 155 Jackdaw, 12 Whooper Swan, 7 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Brambling, 3 Tree Sparrow, 2 Siskin and 2 Lesser Redpoll logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow reappeared and single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
4th November 2021 – bright and sunny N1
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed just single Red-throated Diver and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 43 Redwing, 26 Reed Bunting, 21 Robin, 16 Blackbird, 12 Stonechat, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Song Thrush and a Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
The late autumn movement continues with 1160 Jackdaw, 440 Woodpigeon, 50 Tree Sparrow, 36 Carrion Crow, 33 Rook, 30 Chaffinch, 24 Redwing, 20 Pink-footed Goose, 19 Stock Dove, 15 Whooper Swan, 8 Siskin, 6 Brambling, 4 Fieldfare – the first of the autumn, 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Goldeneye were amongst 24 Red-breasted Merganser and waders included 12 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Four Twite- the first of the autumn, 3 Water Rail and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Several Red Admiral were still on the wing.
3rd November 2021 – sunny spells N1
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 17 Redwing, also logged was a male Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Late autumn movement continues with 2650 Jackdaw, 230 Pink-footed Goose, 180 Woodpigeon, 160 Starling, 62 Tree Sparrow, 50 Chaffinch, 21 Whooper Swan, 12 Brambling, 9 Stock Dove, 3 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll and single Mistle Thrush and Grey Wagtail.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
2nd November 2021 – rain clearing to sun and showers W2
Rarities
A Cetti’s Warbler was calling from the scrub and reeds in the scrape at South Walney Nature Reserve – view area from the new boardwalk.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 7 Redwing, also logged were 2 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
The first real evidence of movement for two weeks saw 1520 Jackdaw, 114 Woodpigeon, 70 Chaffinch, 49 Skylark, 31 Tree Sparrow, 22 Carrion Crow, 17 Stock Dove, 17 Brambling, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Siskin and 4 Greenfinch logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 250 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
