30th April 2012 – bright and sunny E4/5
Offshore
A few seabirds were on the move with 38 Sandwich Tern, 21 Gannet, 4 Razorbill, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake and a Manx Shearwater recorded.
Grounded Migrants
An invasion of Wheatear was evident with 160 birds logged, amongst which were 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Whinchat, 2 White Wagtail and single Goldcrest, Robin, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Redstart.
Diurnal Migration
A steady stream of hirundines were coming in off the sea through the morning with 300 Swallow, 22 House Martin and 2 Sand Martin logged. A flock of 100 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Ringing
Despite the seemingly incessant wind from a northerly sector somehow a total of 157 birds of 15 species were ringed during the month. Individual species totals were as follows: Goldfinch (48), Linnet (45), Willow Warbler (25), Blackcap (12), Chiffchaff (5), Chaffinch (4), Greenfinch (4), Blue Tit (3), Redstart (3), Goldcrest (2), Reed Bunting (2), Meadow Pipit (1), Great Tit (1), Dunnock (1) and Siskin (1).
Grasshopper Warbler new in
27th April 2012 – bright and sunny NE2/1
Offshore
There was nothing of note seen over the sea apart from a handful of Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Four White Wagtail were amongst 20 Wheatear. Although grounded migrants remain at a premium a few birds have trickled through and are now settled in to breeding habitat on the island with 15 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Whimbrel were logged.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven toured the island.
Moths
Spectacle, Cabbage and Angle Shades were all new for the year.
Offshore
There was nothing of note seen over the sea apart from a handful of Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Four White Wagtail were amongst 20 Wheatear. Although grounded migrants remain at a premium a few birds have trickled through and are now settled in to breeding habitat on the island with 15 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Whimbrel were logged.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven toured the island.
Moths
Spectacle, Cabbage and Angle Shades were all new for the year.
First Common Tern of the year
26th April 2012 – overcast/showers NE2/3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea early morning (0830-0930) produced variety if not quantity with 100 Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, 26 Sandwich Tern, 11 Razorbill, 9 Manx Shearwater, 7 Arctic Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Common Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Single Blackcap and Redstart were amongst 18 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Meadow Pipit struggled through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two drake Gadwall, 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese and a pair of Wigeon were the pick of the wildfowl.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain.
Offshore
Observations over the sea early morning (0830-0930) produced variety if not quantity with 100 Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, 26 Sandwich Tern, 11 Razorbill, 9 Manx Shearwater, 7 Arctic Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Red-throated Diver and single Guillemot and Common Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Single Blackcap and Redstart were amongst 18 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Meadow Pipit struggled through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two drake Gadwall, 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese and a pair of Wigeon were the pick of the wildfowl.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain.
Redstart and Green Sandpiper leads a meagre selection
24th April 2012 – overcast/calm the sunny W1
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning revealed just a few Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The trickle of migrants continues with 21 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush and single Redstart, Wheatear, Robin and Goldcrest logged.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1500 Knot, 8 Whimbrel and a Green Sandpiper.
Moths
The first Shuttle-shaped Dart materialised in the moth trap.
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning revealed just a few Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The trickle of migrants continues with 21 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush and single Redstart, Wheatear, Robin and Goldcrest logged.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1500 Knot, 8 Whimbrel and a Green Sandpiper.
Moths
The first Shuttle-shaped Dart materialised in the moth trap.
Passage reverts to a trickle
21st April 2012 – sunny spells NW3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea provided 150 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 5 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again just small numbers of migrants were in evidence with 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff and logged.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by single Sand Martin and Lesser Redpoll amongst a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock has dwindled to 40 pale-bellied birds and waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain.
Butterflies
Speckled Wood and Orange Tip are now on the wing.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea provided 150 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 5 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Again just small numbers of migrants were in evidence with 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff and logged.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by single Sand Martin and Lesser Redpoll amongst a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock has dwindled to 40 pale-bellied birds and waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain.
Butterflies
Speckled Wood and Orange Tip are now on the wing.
Brambling, Redstart and Whitethroat
20th April 2012 –hazy sunshine NNW1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea provided 60 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall was evident early morning with 7 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Brambling and single Redwing, Redstart and Whitethroat amongst 45 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a further trickle of Swallow and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Black-tailed Godwit and 100 Golden Plover were the pick of the waders.
Moths
The first Brown Sliver-line appeared.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea provided 60 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall was evident early morning with 7 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Brambling and single Redwing, Redstart and Whitethroat amongst 45 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a further trickle of Swallow and Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Black-tailed Godwit and 100 Golden Plover were the pick of the waders.
Moths
The first Brown Sliver-line appeared.
First Whimbrel begin to arrive
19th April 2012 –sunny spells N2
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide and calm seas (0845-0945) produced 100 Sandwich Tern, 50 Gannet, 26 Common Scoter, 16 Razorbill, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Great Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 5 Wheatear were the only obvious migrants to trouble observers.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Whimbrel was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow again put in a brief appearance.
Moths
A Chamomile Shark was the first moth to grace the traps for some time.
Late News
Reed Warbler - the earliest ever recorded on the island and Sedge Warbler.
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide and calm seas (0845-0945) produced 100 Sandwich Tern, 50 Gannet, 26 Common Scoter, 16 Razorbill, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Great Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 5 Wheatear were the only obvious migrants to trouble observers.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Whimbrel was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow again put in a brief appearance.
Moths
A Chamomile Shark was the first moth to grace the traps for some time.
Late News
Reed Warbler - the earliest ever recorded on the island and Sedge Warbler.
Colour-ringed Turnstone
18th April 2012 –sunny spells ENE3/4
Offshore
Noticeably quieter today (0830-0930) with a single Arctic Tern and 2 Shag the highlight amongst 34 Razorbill, 33 Sandwich Tern, 16 Gannet, 10 Common Scoter, 7 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 4 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Meadow Pipit continue to struggle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 55 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included a single Greenshank, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit and 230 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Turnstone along the maritime shore had initially been ringed at Weston Shore, Southampton Water, Hampshire on 21st March 2009, it was seen again at the same location on 23rd July 2011 before appearing on Walney Island on 14th April 2012. This is the first time it has been seen in the UK away from its ringing site.
Offshore
Noticeably quieter today (0830-0930) with a single Arctic Tern and 2 Shag the highlight amongst 34 Razorbill, 33 Sandwich Tern, 16 Gannet, 10 Common Scoter, 7 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 4 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Meadow Pipit continue to struggle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 55 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included a single Greenshank, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit and 230 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Turnstone along the maritime shore had initially been ringed at Weston Shore, Southampton Water, Hampshire on 21st March 2009, it was seen again at the same location on 23rd July 2011 before appearing on Walney Island on 14th April 2012. This is the first time it has been seen in the UK away from its ringing site.
Offshore spectacular
17th April 2012 – overcast then sunny spells WSW4/5
Offshore
The day dawned to overcast skies and a fresh westerly wind following heavy overnight rain and morning observations (0830-1100) were highlighted by a Great Skua, 2 adult Little Gull, 3 dark phase Arctic Skua and a Puffin. Also seen were 18 Manx Shearwater and 12 Arctic Tern – both the first of the year, amongst 230 Kittiwake, 150 Razorbill, 120 Sandwich Tern, 115 Common Scoter, 110 Gannet, 100 Guillemot, 23 Fulmar, 11 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Gull and 2 Teal.
Grounded Migrants
Little evidence of many new arrivals although a Fieldfare was amongst a few Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and a flock of 1000 Knot were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow provided a further highlight of an excellent day which ended with a Short-eared Owl hunting over the island at dusk.
Ringing
The remains of a Whooper Swan found in a field at Biggar on 16th January 2012 had been ringed as a cygnet at Lake Brunnvatn, ICELAND (1440km NW) on 3rd August 2010.
Offshore
The day dawned to overcast skies and a fresh westerly wind following heavy overnight rain and morning observations (0830-1100) were highlighted by a Great Skua, 2 adult Little Gull, 3 dark phase Arctic Skua and a Puffin. Also seen were 18 Manx Shearwater and 12 Arctic Tern – both the first of the year, amongst 230 Kittiwake, 150 Razorbill, 120 Sandwich Tern, 115 Common Scoter, 110 Gannet, 100 Guillemot, 23 Fulmar, 11 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Gull and 2 Teal.
Grounded Migrants
Little evidence of many new arrivals although a Fieldfare was amongst a few Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and a flock of 1000 Knot were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow provided a further highlight of an excellent day which ended with a Short-eared Owl hunting over the island at dusk.
Ringing
The remains of a Whooper Swan found in a field at Biggar on 16th January 2012 had been ringed as a cygnet at Lake Brunnvatn, ICELAND (1440km NW) on 3rd August 2010.
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