18th December 2012 – sunny spells/calm
Offshore
A check over the calm seas early morning provided 16 Red-throated Diver, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Shag and 4 Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
Two small skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 130 birds headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Scaup and Greenshank were the best on offer.
Miscellaneous
Finch flocks involved 50 Goldfinch and 40 Twite and at least 2 Water Rail remain.
Moths
A Winter Moth finally made it on to the year list.
WeBS counting
17th December 2012 – rain at times W1/2
Grounded Migrants
A group of 6 Redwing were newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthy WeBS count produced good numbers of wildfowl and waders, individual totals included: 6700 Oystercatcher, 5023 Eider, 2303 Dunlin, 1010 Redshank, 940 Wigeon, 920 Golden Plover, 820 Curlew, 620 Teal, 590 Knot, 345 Lapwing, 245 Grey Plover, 220 Turnstone, 219 Shelduck, 176 Sanderling, 157 Mallard, 149 Snipe, 50 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Ringed Plover, 42 Pintail, 30 Goldeneye, 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Greenshank, 11 Scaup and 2 Shoveler.
Ringing
The flock of Knot held at least two colour-ringed birds – hopefully details will be forthcoming in due course.
Grounded Migrants
A group of 6 Redwing were newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthy WeBS count produced good numbers of wildfowl and waders, individual totals included: 6700 Oystercatcher, 5023 Eider, 2303 Dunlin, 1010 Redshank, 940 Wigeon, 920 Golden Plover, 820 Curlew, 620 Teal, 590 Knot, 345 Lapwing, 245 Grey Plover, 220 Turnstone, 219 Shelduck, 176 Sanderling, 157 Mallard, 149 Snipe, 50 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Ringed Plover, 42 Pintail, 30 Goldeneye, 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Greenshank, 11 Scaup and 2 Shoveler.
Ringing
The flock of Knot held at least two colour-ringed birds – hopefully details will be forthcoming in due course.
Late Gannet
16th December 2012 – sunny spells/showers SW3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0930-1030) provided 65 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver and single Razorbill, Kittiwake and Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 176 pale-bellied birds and waders included 15 Purple Sandpiper and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was logged along with 6 Little Egret.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0930-1030) provided 65 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver and single Razorbill, Kittiwake and Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 176 pale-bellied birds and waders included 15 Purple Sandpiper and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was logged along with 6 Little Egret.
Slavonian Grebe
15th December 2012 – overcast/showers SW3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 10 Scaup, 7 Red-throated Diver and single Shag and Slavonian Grebe.
Wildfowl and Waders
Brent Geese involved 168 pale-bellied and 58 dark-bellied birds while waders included 8 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 9 Little Egret remain along the eastern shore and single Peregrine and Barn Owl were logged. A Grey Wagtail was unusual at this time of year.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 10 Scaup, 7 Red-throated Diver and single Shag and Slavonian Grebe.
Wildfowl and Waders
Brent Geese involved 168 pale-bellied and 58 dark-bellied birds while waders included 8 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 9 Little Egret remain along the eastern shore and single Peregrine and Barn Owl were logged. A Grey Wagtail was unusual at this time of year.
The sea dominates sightings
8th December 2012 – early frost/sunny spells/calm
Offshore
The sea (0830-0930) provided 575 Common Scoter, 43 Red-throated Diver, 28 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Razorbill, 9 Scaup (7 drakes) and single Gannet and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Several small groups of Song Thrush totalling 14 birds were suggestive of some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 80 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Barnacle Geese and 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese. A Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank were the best of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues to tour the island and raptors included a Merlin chasing Goldfinches and a Peregrine chasing a large flock of Knot.
Offshore
The sea (0830-0930) provided 575 Common Scoter, 43 Red-throated Diver, 28 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Razorbill, 9 Scaup (7 drakes) and single Gannet and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Several small groups of Song Thrush totalling 14 birds were suggestive of some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 80 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Barnacle Geese and 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese. A Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank were the best of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues to tour the island and raptors included a Merlin chasing Goldfinches and a Peregrine chasing a large flock of Knot.
Whooper Swans on the move
30th November 2012 – sunny spells/early frost ESE1
Offshore
A check over the sea produced 10 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver and 4 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Four Song Thrush suggested some cold weather movement .
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 20 Whooper Swan flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Goosander and Greenshank were the pick.
Miscellaneous
At least 9 Little Egret remain along the eastern shore and single Merlin and Barn Owl were logged.
Ringing
The final throes of autumn produced 93 birds of 15 species. Individual totals were as follows Blackbird (23), Greenfinch (18), Goldfinch (17), Song Thrush (9), Chaffinch (7), Dunnock (6), Robin (2), Goldcrest (2), Redwing (2), House Sparrow (2), Tree Sparrow (1), Reed Bunting (1), Blackcap (1), Garden Warbler (1) and Water Rail (1).
Offshore
A check over the sea produced 10 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver and 4 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Four Song Thrush suggested some cold weather movement .
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 20 Whooper Swan flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Goosander and Greenshank were the pick.
Miscellaneous
At least 9 Little Egret remain along the eastern shore and single Merlin and Barn Owl were logged.
Ringing
The final throes of autumn produced 93 birds of 15 species. Individual totals were as follows Blackbird (23), Greenfinch (18), Goldfinch (17), Song Thrush (9), Chaffinch (7), Dunnock (6), Robin (2), Goldcrest (2), Redwing (2), House Sparrow (2), Tree Sparrow (1), Reed Bunting (1), Blackcap (1), Garden Warbler (1) and Water Rail (1).
Red-throated Divers on the move
29th November 2012 – bright and frosty/calm
Offshore
Morning observations (0930-1030) were led by a total of 47 Red-throated Diver moving south, also seen were 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Common Scoter and 4 Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
A few more Song Thrush and Blackbird were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 145 birds headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The small flock of Pintail increased to 47 birds.
Miscellaneous
At least 9 Little Egret were along the eastern shore and 4 Rock Pipit were logged.
Offshore
Morning observations (0930-1030) were led by a total of 47 Red-throated Diver moving south, also seen were 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Common Scoter and 4 Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
A few more Song Thrush and Blackbird were in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 145 birds headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The small flock of Pintail increased to 47 birds.
Miscellaneous
At least 9 Little Egret were along the eastern shore and 4 Rock Pipit were logged.
The sea continues to provide the main interest
28th November 2012 – Bright and sunny N2, early frost
Offshore
A check of the sea early morning (0840-0940) provided 215 Common Scoter, 23 Kittiwake, 12 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Eider and 6 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
Shelduck numbers are finally beginning to build while a recent influx of Snipe is evident with one flock flushed from the saltmarsh holding 120 birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues to linger and Little Egrets continue to show well.
Offshore
A check of the sea early morning (0840-0940) provided 215 Common Scoter, 23 Kittiwake, 12 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Eider and 6 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
Shelduck numbers are finally beginning to build while a recent influx of Snipe is evident with one flock flushed from the saltmarsh holding 120 birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues to linger and Little Egrets continue to show well.
Goldfinch to Nottingham
26th November 2012 – overcast/rain at times NNW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea early morning (0915-1015) provided 25 Common Scoter, 16 Razorbill, 9 Kittiwake and 8 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A solitary Fieldfare provided the only evidence.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2000 Knot and Shoveler increased to 11 birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence and 8 Little Egret were logged. Two Barn Owls hunted the island at dawn.
Ringing
During the course of 2012 over 330 Goldfinch have been colour-ringed on the island with just a number of local sightings reported until a bird was photographed on in garden feeder at Arnold, Nottingham on 17th November 2012. This bird had initially been marked during autumn passage on the island on 19th October 2012.
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