30th April 2021 – sun and showers/calm
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0600-0800) included: 183 Common Scoter, 165 Sandwich Tern, 41 Gannet, 19 Red-throated Diver, 18 Guillemot, 9 Shag, 6 Teal, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Tern and single Arctic Skua and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
A female Pied Flycatcher and 2 Whinchat were amongst 45 Wheatear, 9 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 731 Pink-footed Goose flew north early morning and 4 House Martin were amongst 40 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included: 10,000 Knot, 100 Golden Plover, 49 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying adult Hooded Crow and a Peregrine were the best of the rest.
29th April 2021 – sunny spells, rain/sleet showers N1
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0600-0800) included: 156 Sandwich Tern, 58 Guillemot, 50 Gannet, 41 Common Scoter, 10 Manx Shearwater, 9 Red-throated Diver, 9 Kittiwake, 2 Little Tern and a Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat – the first of the year was amongst 22 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A Osprey headed north at 0750hrs.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 2 dark-bellied birds and waders included: 6,000 Knot, 128 Whimbrel, and 100 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying adult Hooded Crow was again recorded.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.
28th April 2021 – overcast/showers NE3/4
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0800) produced 376 Common Scoter, 313 Sandwich Tern, 84 Gannet, 54 Guillemot, 7Shag, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Razorbill, 2 Little Tern and a Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Just 7 Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a continued trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 34 pale-bellied birds and waders included: 20,000 Knot, 217 Whimbrel, 100 Golden Plover and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying adult Hooded Crow was logged and 4 Raven and a Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Breeding Birds
Skylarks are now ensconced in territories across the island.
27th April 2021 – overcast/showers WNW2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0800) provided 511 Common Scoter, 140 Kittiwake, 112 Gannet, 30 Red-throated Diver, 28 Guillemot, 4 Arctic Skua – all dark morph, 4 Velvet Scoter – all males, 4 Little Tern and single Great Skua, Puffin and Gadwall.
Grounded Migrants
Just 6 Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a continued trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 37 pale-bellied birds and a drake Gadwall was new in. Waders included: 10,000 Knot, 2,000 Dunlin, 163 Whimbrel, 46 Golden Plover, 23 Grey Plover, 2 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A single Twite remains as does the long-staying adult Hooded Crow.
26th April 2021 – hazy sun V1/2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Rarities
A male Stone Curlew was located late morning in the field adjacent the old South Walney Refuse Tip and was still present early afternoon at least. View only from the road and do not enter the private fields.
Offshore
Morning observations (0600-0700) revealed 360 Common Scoter, 114 Sandwich Tern, 51 Gannet, 38 Guillemot, 14 Red-throated Diver, 10 Kittiwake, 7 Razorbill, 4 Arctic Tern and 3 Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 21 Wheatear and single Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Several skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 330 birds headed north early morning and a second-year Hooded Crow flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Additional waders included: 2000 Knot, 1400 Dunlin, 68 Whimbrel, 23 Golden Plover, 3 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying adult Hooded Crow continues in residence and a Long-eared Owl was found.
Mammals
A Weasel was logged.
25th April 2021 –bright and sunny E2/3
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Morning observations (0700-0900) revealed 441 Common Scoter, 232 Sandwich Tern, 76 Gannet, 52 Guillemot, 30 Red-throated Diver, 15 Razorbill, 6 Arctic Tern, 4 Teal, 2 Manx Shearwater and single Great Northern Diver, Puffin and Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 30 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 40 Pink-footed Geese headed north early morning and 10 Lesser Redpoll were amongst a further trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included: 1000 Dunlin, 92 Whimbrel, 21 Golden Plover, 5 Snipe and single Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow continues in residence.
Breeding Birds
A total of 6 Grasshopper Warbler are now in suitable breeding habitat across the island.
24th April 2021 – cloudy start then bright and sunny E2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Remaining quiet over the sea with observations (0730-0830) producing 275 Common Scoter, 66 Sandwich Tern, 33 Gannet, 14 Red-throated Diver, 7 Guillemot, 3 Arctic Tern and single Little Tern and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 13 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and single Grasshopper Warbler and Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
The first House Martin of the year was amongst a further trickle of Swallow, also seen were 50 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held just 19 light-bellied and 14 dark-bellied birds. Waders included 120 Bar-tailed Godwit – many in summer plumage, 88 Whimbrel and 43 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow and a Merlin were logged.
Breeding Birds
Warblers continue to arrive in low numbers with territorial Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler all now thinly distributed in suitable breeding habitat across the island.
Mammals
A Bottle-nosed Dolphin was offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
Dark Sword-grass and Red Sword-grass were recorded.
23rd April 2021 – bright and sunny ESE2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0700-0800) included: 107 Sandwich Tern, 100 Common Scoter, 29 Gannet, 27 Razorbill, 8 Guillemot, 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Manx Shearwater and single Black Guillemot, Puffin, Little Tern and Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 22 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A Yellow Wagtail was logged and 100 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 60 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence, though mobile and 4 Twite and a Merlin remain.
22nd April 2021 – bright and sunny SE2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve is open though the hides and visitor centre remain closed to comply with social distancing measures, please remember the rule of six.
Offshore
Early morning sightings (0645-0745) included: 50 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 37 Gannet, 9 Little Tern, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 16 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and single Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Sightings involved 425 Pink-footed Geese, 60 Sand Martin, 5 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence.
Butterflies and Moths
Ruby Tiger and Angle Shades were new for the year.
