30th April 2009 - early rain SSE4
Offshore
Morning observations in persistent rain (0800-1000) produced 520 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet, 4 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A group of 3 Wheatear were likely remnants from previous arrivals.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 4 Swift were the first of the year.
Ringing
A colour ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull was marked at a landfill site in Gloucestershire on 22nd November 2008 indicating the wintering area of at least some of the Walney breeding colony.
Puffin brightens dull seawatch
29th April 2009 - sunny spells SE3/4
Offshore
The first Puffin of the year brightened the routine morning seawatch (0800-0900). Also seen were 170 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet and small numbers of Guillemot, Razorbill and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Although 20 Wheatear were logged there was little additional evidence of any other new arrivals with just 5 Willow Warbler, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 23 Whimbrel and 7 Purple Sandpiper.
Offshore
The first Puffin of the year brightened the routine morning seawatch (0800-0900). Also seen were 170 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet and small numbers of Guillemot, Razorbill and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Although 20 Wheatear were logged there was little additional evidence of any other new arrivals with just 5 Willow Warbler, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 23 Whimbrel and 7 Purple Sandpiper.
Another Hooded Crow - or the same?
28th April 2009 - bright and sunny/rain by afternoon NE1/2
Offshore
Morning observations in bright and clear conditions (0745-0845) produced 32 Common Scoter, 25 Sandwich Tern, 6 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 5 Gannet, 2 Scaup and single Fulmar, Manx Shearwater and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Another light sprinkling produced 8 Wheatear, 8 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 4 White Wagtail, 3 Whitethroat and single Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
The same itinerant or another Hooded Crow flew east and a Common Buzzard circling over the island was unusual - both Osprey and Marsh Harrier are more frequently seen here!
Wildfowl and Waders
Just 5 Whimbrel and 2 Scaup were worthy of mention.
Miscellaneous
At least one Little Egret remains and a Little Owl basked in the early morning sunshine.
Offshore
Morning observations in bright and clear conditions (0745-0845) produced 32 Common Scoter, 25 Sandwich Tern, 6 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 5 Gannet, 2 Scaup and single Fulmar, Manx Shearwater and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Another light sprinkling produced 8 Wheatear, 8 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 4 White Wagtail, 3 Whitethroat and single Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
The same itinerant or another Hooded Crow flew east and a Common Buzzard circling over the island was unusual - both Osprey and Marsh Harrier are more frequently seen here!
Wildfowl and Waders
Just 5 Whimbrel and 2 Scaup were worthy of mention.
Miscellaneous
At least one Little Egret remains and a Little Owl basked in the early morning sunshine.
Bits and Pieces
27th April 2009 - overcast/showers then sunny W1
Offshore
Morning observations in excellent visibility (0800-0900) produced 80 Common Scoter, 20 Gannet, 20 Sandwich Tern, 5 Razorbill, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Small numbers of migrants remain on the move and totals of 25 Willow Warbler, 20 Wheatear, 5 Blackcap, 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat involved at least some new arrivals.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 10 Whimbrel were the pick of the waders.
Offshore
Morning observations in excellent visibility (0800-0900) produced 80 Common Scoter, 20 Gannet, 20 Sandwich Tern, 5 Razorbill, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Small numbers of migrants remain on the move and totals of 25 Willow Warbler, 20 Wheatear, 5 Blackcap, 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat involved at least some new arrivals.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 10 Whimbrel were the pick of the waders.
Whinchat, Redstart and Reed Warbler
26th April 2009 - bright and sunny S1/2
Offshore
A much quieter morning over the sea (0845-0945) with just 40 Sandwich Tern, 27 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Guillemot and 2 Razorbill logged.
Grounded Migrants
The Ring Ouzel remained and single Whinchat, Redstart and Reed Warbler were new for the year. Other sightings included 70 Wheatear, 5 White Wagtail and 2 Blackcap while 17 Willow Warbler, 14 Sedge Warbler, 12 Whitethroat, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Grasshopper Warbler probably included some territorial breeding birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 17 Whimbrel were logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain and both Peregrine and Merlin were seen.
Image
Some of today's Whimbrel
Ring Ouzel, Goosander and Common Sandpiper
25th April 2009 - hazy sun E4/3/2/1
Offshore
Early morning passage (0730-0930) produced an impressive 850 Sandwich Tern and 32 Razorbill, 30 Guillemot, 23 Arctic Tern, 22 Common Scoter, 17 Gannet, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and single Goosander, Manx Shearwater and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
The first Ring Ouzel of the year was logged and a large influx of Wheatear produced a total of 105 birds. Also seen were 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A Short-eared Owl flew through and a Collared Dove and 3 Siskin flew in off the sea. Other sightings included 30 Swallow and small numbers of Sand Martin and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 28 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and the first Common Sandpiper of the year.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain and a Merlin continues to hunt the island.
Butterflies
The first Red Admiral was logged.
Offshore
Early morning passage (0730-0930) produced an impressive 850 Sandwich Tern and 32 Razorbill, 30 Guillemot, 23 Arctic Tern, 22 Common Scoter, 17 Gannet, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and single Goosander, Manx Shearwater and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
The first Ring Ouzel of the year was logged and a large influx of Wheatear produced a total of 105 birds. Also seen were 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A Short-eared Owl flew through and a Collared Dove and 3 Siskin flew in off the sea. Other sightings included 30 Swallow and small numbers of Sand Martin and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 28 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and the first Common Sandpiper of the year.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain and a Merlin continues to hunt the island.
Butterflies
The first Red Admiral was logged.
Seabirds back on form
24th April 2009 - overcast/murky SE3/2/1
Offshore
Seabirds were back on form early morning (0615-0715) with 90 Common Scoter, 70 Sandwich Tern, 58 Gannet, 22 Guillemot, 8 Red-throated Diver, 6 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Skua (dark phase) and a drake Scaup logged.
Grounded Migrants
Although a slight improvement was noted again there was just a smattering of sightings with 17 Wheatear, 9 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, single Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler and Blackcap and the third Great Spotted Woodpecker of the spring.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 26 Whimbrel were recorded.
Offshore
Seabirds were back on form early morning (0615-0715) with 90 Common Scoter, 70 Sandwich Tern, 58 Gannet, 22 Guillemot, 8 Red-throated Diver, 6 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Skua (dark phase) and a drake Scaup logged.
Grounded Migrants
Although a slight improvement was noted again there was just a smattering of sightings with 17 Wheatear, 9 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, single Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler and Blackcap and the third Great Spotted Woodpecker of the spring.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 26 Whimbrel were recorded.
Meagre Fare
23rd April 2009 - overcast SE1
Offshore
Little movement was evident early morning with just a handful of Gannet, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill moving through.
Grounded Migrants
Again a poor showing with only 5 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap and single Grasshopper Warbler and White Wagtail logged.
Diurnal Migration
Just 20 Swallow and 8 Sand Martin were recorded.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain
Offshore
Little movement was evident early morning with just a handful of Gannet, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill moving through.
Grounded Migrants
Again a poor showing with only 5 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap and single Grasshopper Warbler and White Wagtail logged.
Diurnal Migration
Just 20 Swallow and 8 Sand Martin were recorded.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain
First Little Tern appears offshore
22nd April 2009 - bright and sunny/cloudier later SE1
Offshore
Early and late observations (0630-0730 & 1845-1945) produced totals of 255 Common Scoter, 135 Sandwich Tern, 20 Gannet, 18 Guillemot, 10 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake and the first Little Tern of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining very quiet on the land with just 6 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Mammals
Calm seas revealed the presence of a Harbour Porpoise offshore and a Grey Squirrel was seen.
Offshore
Early and late observations (0630-0730 & 1845-1945) produced totals of 255 Common Scoter, 135 Sandwich Tern, 20 Gannet, 18 Guillemot, 10 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake and the first Little Tern of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining very quiet on the land with just 6 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Mammals
Calm seas revealed the presence of a Harbour Porpoise offshore and a Grey Squirrel was seen.
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