30th November 2011 – overcast/showers S4/5
Rarities
The Water Pipit again showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and keep out of the private fields.
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide produced a party of 7 Shag sheltering in the calmer waters along the eastern shore while small numbers of Kittiwake, Common Scoter and Razorbill braved the rougher conditions off the maritime coast.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck is still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 153 pale-bellied birds, waders included 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A total of 130 Twite were logged and a Raven flew over.
Ringing
The last vestiges of autumn passage produced a further 216 birds of 17 species, an excellent total for November. Individual species totals involved: Greenfinch (82), Blackbird (42), Goldfinch (41), Chaffinch (16), Tree Sparrow (9), Song Thrush (7), House Sparrow (4), Dunnock (3), Goldcrest (2), Blackcap (2), Robin (1), Redwing (1), Woodcock (1), Twite (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Fieldfare (1), Brambling (1), Lesser Redpoll (1).
Great Skua and Long-tailed Duck
28th November 2011 – overcastS3/4
Offshore
A Great Skua was the pick of sightings which otherwise included 25 Common Scoter, 14 Red-throated Diver and a few Kittiwake and Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck is still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 157 pale-bellied birds, waders included 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 100 Twite remain and a Peregrine was seen.
Offshore
A Great Skua was the pick of sightings which otherwise included 25 Common Scoter, 14 Red-throated Diver and a few Kittiwake and Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck is still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 157 pale-bellied birds, waders included 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 100 Twite remain and a Peregrine was seen.
Little Gull and White-fronted Geese
27th November 2011 – bright and sunny WNW6/5
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) were led by an adult Little Gull and juvenile Gannet amongst small numbers of Kittiwake, Razorbill and Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
Two Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 161 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least 35 Twite remain.
Ringing
The Twite flock contained a colour-ringed individual that had previously been ringed at Machrihanish during 2010. A Greenfinch ringed at South Walney during post-breeding dispersal on 9th August 2011 was controlled at Heysham on 17th November 2011 (19km E)
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) were led by an adult Little Gull and juvenile Gannet amongst small numbers of Kittiwake, Razorbill and Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
Two Eurasian White-fronted Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 161 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least 35 Twite remain.
Ringing
The Twite flock contained a colour-ringed individual that had previously been ringed at Machrihanish during 2010. A Greenfinch ringed at South Walney during post-breeding dispersal on 9th August 2011 was controlled at Heysham on 17th November 2011 (19km E)
Brent Geese continue to increase!
25th November 2011 – overcast/showers WSW5/6/7/8
Rarities
The Water Pipit again showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-1030) produced 245 Razorbill, 180 Kittiwake, 12 Gannet, 5 Guillemot, 4 Common Scoter and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock provided another record with 157 pale-bellied birds present; including at least 29 juveniles while 55 Snipe were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin continued to stalk the high tide wader roosts.
Rarities
The Water Pipit again showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-1030) produced 245 Razorbill, 180 Kittiwake, 12 Gannet, 5 Guillemot, 4 Common Scoter and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock provided another record with 157 pale-bellied birds present; including at least 29 juveniles while 55 Snipe were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin continued to stalk the high tide wader roosts.
Great Northern Diver finally added to year list!
24th November 2011 – overcast S4/5/6
Rarities
The Water Pipit showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
A Great Northern Diver sought refuge in the sheltered waters along the eastern shore while morning observations over rough seas (0830-0930) off the maritime coast produced 110 Razorbill, 45 Common Scoter, 17 Kittiwake, 11 Guillemot, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Gannet and Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held a record 155 pale-bellied birds; including at least 29 juveniles and 48 Pintail were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin stalked the high tide wader roosts and 2 Raven were seen.
Rarities
The Water Pipit showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
A Great Northern Diver sought refuge in the sheltered waters along the eastern shore while morning observations over rough seas (0830-0930) off the maritime coast produced 110 Razorbill, 45 Common Scoter, 17 Kittiwake, 11 Guillemot, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Gannet and Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held a record 155 pale-bellied birds; including at least 29 juveniles and 48 Pintail were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin stalked the high tide wader roosts and 2 Raven were seen.
Record numbers of Brent Geese
23rd November 2011 – overcast SW4/5/6
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Morning observations (0915-1015) produced 33 Common Scoter, 23 Razorbill, 16 Kittiwake, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Gannet, 2 Guillemot and a Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock continues to build and held record numbers with 153 pale-bellied birds (at least 29 juveniles) and 50 dark-bellied birds (at least 6 juveniles) present.
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Morning observations (0915-1015) produced 33 Common Scoter, 23 Razorbill, 16 Kittiwake, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Gannet, 2 Guillemot and a Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock continues to build and held record numbers with 153 pale-bellied birds (at least 29 juveniles) and 50 dark-bellied birds (at least 6 juveniles) present.
Some late movement
22nd November 2011 – misty/calm then sunny spells NW3
Offshore
Two Shag were the pick of offshore sightings.
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare was amongst a small fall of Blackbird and Song Thrush and 3 Blackcap were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Lesser Redpoll were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
The long-staying Long-tailed Duck continues in residence the Brent Goose flock held 60 pale-bellied birds.
Images
Fieldfare.
Offshore
Two Shag were the pick of offshore sightings.
Grounded Migrants
A Fieldfare was amongst a small fall of Blackbird and Song Thrush and 3 Blackcap were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Lesser Redpoll were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
The long-staying Long-tailed Duck continues in residence the Brent Goose flock held 60 pale-bellied birds.
Images
Fieldfare.
Water Pipit and Long-tailed Duck remain
21st November 2011 – damp and murky
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 10 Razorbill, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Single Fieldfare and Redwing provided the only interest.
Wildfowl and Waders
The long-staying Long-tailed Duck continues in residence and waders included 6 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A couple of Water Rail were seen, 4 Raven were logged and the Twite flock held 120 birds.
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 10 Razorbill, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Single Fieldfare and Redwing provided the only interest.
Wildfowl and Waders
The long-staying Long-tailed Duck continues in residence and waders included 6 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A couple of Water Rail were seen, 4 Raven were logged and the Twite flock held 120 birds.
Old favourites
19th November 2011 – overcast SE3
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 105 Razorbill, 12 Kittiwake, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemot and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Again there was very little sign of any newly grounded birds with just a few Blackbirds in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 13Pink-footed Geese headed south and a late Grey Wagtail was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 23 Barnacle Geese remain and the Long-tailed Duck continues to linger.
Miscellaneous
At least 37 Little Egret continue to patrol the eastern shore and a Short-eared Owl was logged.
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 105 Razorbill, 12 Kittiwake, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemot and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Again there was very little sign of any newly grounded birds with just a few Blackbirds in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 13Pink-footed Geese headed south and a late Grey Wagtail was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 23 Barnacle Geese remain and the Long-tailed Duck continues to linger.
Miscellaneous
At least 37 Little Egret continue to patrol the eastern shore and a Short-eared Owl was logged.
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