31st July 2020 – hot and sunny SE3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
The sea proved very quiet (0630-0730) with just 28 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 17 Sandwich Tern and 12 Manx Shearwater logged.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were at a premium with only 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Whinchat, 3 Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat recorded.
Diurnal Migration
Swifts were on the move with 70 birds logged along with 3 Tree Sparrow and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 450 Dunlin, 220 Sanderling, 9 Grey Plover, 5 Whimbrel and 3 Common Sandpiper.
Breeding Birds
Barn Owls are busy feeding young.
Miscellaneous
Two Peregrine were the best of the rest.
30th July 2020 – rain clearing later SE2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (1230-1330) were again unrewarding with just 105 Common Scoter, 10 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gannet and 2 Manx Shearwater logged.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler and a Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 125 Dunlin, 5 Greenshank and 3 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The first Merlin has reappeared.
29th July 2020 – sunny spells WNW3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0725-0825) were spectacularly quiet with just 54 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater, 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Guillemot and 3 Arctic Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds included 18 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat and single Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Again only evidenced by a single Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 400 Redshank, 220 Turnstone, 21 Greenshank, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Goldfinches appear to have had a good breeding season with 115 birds logged.
26th July 2020 – sun and showers SW4/5
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Extended observations over the sea (0700-0900 & 1130-1330) were led by 2 adult Pomarine Skua heading into Morecambe Bay at 0825hrs and then out again at 1315hrs. Also seen were 1000 Manx Shearwater, 254 Common Scoter, 84 Gannet, 64 Sandwich Tern, 11 Guillemot, 4 Little Tern and 2 Common Tern.
25th July 2020 – early mizzle clearing SW4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
A check of the sea as the mizzle began to clear (0800-0900) produced 210 Manx Shearwater, 52 Common Scoter, 41 Gannet, 34 Sandwich Tern and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a single Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Only evidenced by a single Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 16 Greenshank and single Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel.
24th July 2020 – sunny spells NW2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
A Kingfisher flew across Walney Channel at dawn.
Offshore
A quiet morning over the sea (0630-0730) with just 38 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 23 Gannet, 12 Manx Shearwater and 2 Kittiwake logged.
Grounded Migrants
Four Whinchat and another Cuckoo were amongst 17 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 21 Greenshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, 5 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
23rd July 2020 – overcast/showers/rain soon SW4/5
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) before persistent rain set in produced 245 Manx Shearwater, 64 Gannet, 45 Common Scoter, 27 Sandwich Tern, 2 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and 4 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
A single Willow Warbler was all that could be mustered.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a solitary Whimbrel.
22nd July 2020 – overcast/showers/rain later S3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea prior to the arrival of the first shower belt (0700-0900) produced 460 Manx Shearwater, 114 Common Scoter, 43 Sandwich Tern, 24 Gannet, 16 Razorbill and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
A single Grey Wagtail was all that could be mustered.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 15 Greenshank, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe.
21st July 2020 – cloudy start then sunny/calm
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is now open though the hides, visitor centre and toilets remain closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 340 Manx Shearwater, 276 Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, 9 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Single Whinchat and Blackcap were amongst a handful of Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Two Grey Wagtail and a Lesser Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 drake Scaup remain and waders included 100 Sanderling, 11 Greenshank, 6 Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Four Raven were the best of the rest.
