30th April 2017 – sunny spells SE5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea over high tide (1415-1515) provided 29 Common Scoter, 14 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet and 2 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
At last spring arrives with 100 Wheatear, 30 Willow Warbler, 5 Whinchat, 2 Redstart and single Pied Flycatcher and Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
An Osprey headed north and Swallow passage finally kicked in with 200 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 144 Whimbrel, 6 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Moths
Flame Shoulder and Shuttle-shaped Dart were new for the year.
Ringing
A total of 222 birds of 22 species were handled during the month. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets): Goldfinch 60, (13), Willow Warbler 25, Goldcrest 14, Linnet 14, (7), Chaffinch 13, (2), Blackbird 10, (2), Blackcap 8, Chiffchaff 7, (1), Dunnock 5, (1), Redwing 3, Wren 3, House Sparrow 3, (1), Robin 2, Lesser Redpoll 2, Meadow Pipit 2, Greenfinch 2, (12), Song Thrush 1, (1), Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1, Redstart 1, Yellowhammer 1, Reed Bunting 1, (3).
First Reed Warbler and Arctic Tern
29th April 2017 – overcast SE2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0715-0815) produced 520 Common Scoter, 56 Kittiwake, 55 Gannet, 40 Sandwich Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 4 Scaup, 2 Shag and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the change in wind deirection still quiet with just 33 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a light trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5000 Knot, 157 Whimbrel, 14 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The first Reed Warbler has returned to breeding localities and at least 4 Grasshopper Warbler continue to reel.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0715-0815) produced 520 Common Scoter, 56 Kittiwake, 55 Gannet, 40 Sandwich Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 4 Scaup, 2 Shag and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the change in wind deirection still quiet with just 33 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a light trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5000 Knot, 157 Whimbrel, 14 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The first Reed Warbler has returned to breeding localities and at least 4 Grasshopper Warbler continue to reel.
Cuckoo arrives
28th April 2017 – sunny spells W2/3
Offshore
Only a few Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited fare still with just 15 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Cuckoo recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 60 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included 1000 Knot, 130 Golden Plover, 52 Whimbrel and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded x Carrion Crow remains.
Offshore
Only a few Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited fare still with just 15 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Cuckoo recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 60 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included 1000 Knot, 130 Golden Plover, 52 Whimbrel and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded x Carrion Crow remains.
Hooded Crow headlines
23rd April 2017 – bright and sunny N3/4
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea produced a flock of 600 Common Scoter settled in the mouth of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 30 Red-throated Diver, 25 Guillemot, 10 Sandwich Tern and the first 2 Little Tern of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear again dominated with 40 birds logged along with 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Grasshopper Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Three Lesser Redpoll were amongst a light trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 60 Golden Plover, 47 Whimbrel and 42 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow was perhaps the highlight of the day while at least 4 Grasshopper Warbler were on breeding territory.
Mammals
A least one Roe Deer remained.
Moths
The first Silver Y of the year was attracted to the moth trap overnight.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea produced a flock of 600 Common Scoter settled in the mouth of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 30 Red-throated Diver, 25 Guillemot, 10 Sandwich Tern and the first 2 Little Tern of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear again dominated with 40 birds logged along with 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Grasshopper Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Three Lesser Redpoll were amongst a light trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 60 Golden Plover, 47 Whimbrel and 42 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow was perhaps the highlight of the day while at least 4 Grasshopper Warbler were on breeding territory.
Mammals
A least one Roe Deer remained.
Moths
The first Silver Y of the year was attracted to the moth trap overnight.
Lesser Whitethroat now in
22nd April 2017 – bright and sunny N3/4
Offshore
A few Gannet and Sandwich Tern were recorded.
Grounded Migrants
The second fall of Wheatear this spring produced 70 birds. However, otherwise pickings were slim with just 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall continues to linger amongst 9 Shoveler and waders included 140 Golden Plover, 63 Whimbrel, 11 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Three Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Grasshopper Warbler were on breeding territories along with 5 Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler.
Mammals
Two Roe Deer were unusual.
Offshore
A few Gannet and Sandwich Tern were recorded.
Grounded Migrants
The second fall of Wheatear this spring produced 70 birds. However, otherwise pickings were slim with just 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall continues to linger amongst 9 Shoveler and waders included 140 Golden Plover, 63 Whimbrel, 11 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Three Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Grasshopper Warbler were on breeding territories along with 5 Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler.
Mammals
Two Roe Deer were unusual.
First Common Sandpipers arrive
21st April 2017 – overcast WNW3/4
Grounded Migrants
A slight increase in grounded birds was noted with 12 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap and single Grasshopper Warbler and Fieldfare logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first 2 Common Sandpiper of the year were logged and additional waders included 30 Whimbrel and 10 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Jay raised speculation of the island’s second breeding attempt.
Butterflies
Speckled Wood and Orange Tip are now on the wing.
Grounded Migrants
A slight increase in grounded birds was noted with 12 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap and single Grasshopper Warbler and Fieldfare logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first 2 Common Sandpiper of the year were logged and additional waders included 30 Whimbrel and 10 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Jay raised speculation of the island’s second breeding attempt.
Butterflies
Speckled Wood and Orange Tip are now on the wing.
First Whitethroat now in
20th April 2017 – overcast WNW2
Grounded Migrants
Hot on the heels of the first Sedge Warbler the first Whitethroat has now arrived along with 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Gadwall remains amongst 7 Shoveler.
Grounded Migrants
Hot on the heels of the first Sedge Warbler the first Whitethroat has now arrived along with 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Gadwall remains amongst 7 Shoveler.
First Sedge Warbler arrives
19th April 2017 – overcast S1/2
Grounded Migrants
Despite the seemingly favourable conditions there remains little evidence of movement, however, the first Sedge Warbler of the spring was recorded along with 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap.
Miscellaneous
Two Grasshopper Warbler were on breeding territories.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the seemingly favourable conditions there remains little evidence of movement, however, the first Sedge Warbler of the spring was recorded along with 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap.
Miscellaneous
Two Grasshopper Warbler were on breeding territories.
Arctic Skua new for the year
17th April 2017 – sunny spells NE3/2/1
Offshore
The sea (0800-0900) provided the first Arctic Skua of the year along with 230 Common Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver, 14 Sandwich Tern, 12 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of migration with just 8 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap and Chiffchaff recorded.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Butterflies
The first Red Admiral was on the wing.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore.
Offshore
The sea (0800-0900) provided the first Arctic Skua of the year along with 230 Common Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver, 14 Sandwich Tern, 12 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of migration with just 8 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap and Chiffchaff recorded.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Butterflies
The first Red Admiral was on the wing.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)