17th April 2024 – bright and sunny NW3/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 24 Sandwich Tern, 12 Red-throated Diver, 12 Guillemot, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag, 4 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Light movement provided 10 Blackcap, 8 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 White Wagtail and single Grasshopper Warbler, Goldcrest and Redstart – the latter the first of the year
Diurnal Migration
Single Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Tree Pipit flew through – the latter the first of the year
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 55 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a second bird was seen.
Breeding Birds
Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat have returned to breeding habitat.
Limited evidence of movement
16th April 2024 – bright and sunny/showers NW3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 75 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 21 Red-throated Diver, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Gannet and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 4 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
The first ground-nesting birds are now sitting on eggs.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Orange Tip and Large White was on the wing.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 75 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 21 Red-throated Diver, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Gannet and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 4 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
The first ground-nesting birds are now sitting on eggs.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Orange Tip and Large White was on the wing.
Arctic Skuas
15th April 2024 – sun and heavy showers WNW5/8
Offshore
Observations over a wild sea (0700-0900) produced 76 Common Scoter, 26 Kittiwake, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Arctic Skua – the latter the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and after 40 consecutive days of rain even the House Sparrows have resorted to wearing ponchos!
Offshore
Observations over a wild sea (0700-0900) produced 76 Common Scoter, 26 Kittiwake, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Arctic Skua – the latter the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and after 40 consecutive days of rain even the House Sparrows have resorted to wearing ponchos!
Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler
14th April 2024 – sun and showers W3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0830) produced 357 Common Scoter, 152 Kittiwake, 52 Sandwich Tern, 17 Gannet, 9 Red-throated Diver and single Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Shag and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Slightly more birds were in evidence with 26 Wheatear, 4 White Wagtail, 5 Willow Warbler and 4 Blackcap seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
Warblers are now beginning to return to breeding habitat in reasonable numbers with 32 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 3 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler recorded – the latter two the first of the year.
Mammals
A Roe Deer was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Speckled Wood was on the wing.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0830) produced 357 Common Scoter, 152 Kittiwake, 52 Sandwich Tern, 17 Gannet, 9 Red-throated Diver and single Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Shag and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Slightly more birds were in evidence with 26 Wheatear, 4 White Wagtail, 5 Willow Warbler and 4 Blackcap seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
Warblers are now beginning to return to breeding habitat in reasonable numbers with 32 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 3 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler recorded – the latter two the first of the year.
Mammals
A Roe Deer was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Speckled Wood was on the wing.
Common Scoter on the move
12th April 2024 – overcast/mizzle clearing SW3/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) were dominated by 1050 Common Scoter while 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and a Sandwich Tern were also logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) were dominated by 1050 Common Scoter while 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and a Sandwich Tern were also logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Waders and Wheatear
11th April 2024 – hazy sun/rain later SW3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 750 Common Scoter, 150 Kittiwake, 62 Gannet, 17 Red-throated Diver, 11 Shag, 3 Sandwich Tern and a Manx Sheareater.
Grounded Migrants
Although 23 Wheatear were logged passage remained slow with additional sightings limited to 4 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 545 light-bellied birds and waders included 1845 Oystercatcher, 960 Redshank, 680 Golden Plover, 542 Dunlin, 339 Curlew, 256 Turnstone, 165 Knot, 130 Sanderling, 102 Grey Plover, 90 Ringed Plover, 72 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and two Water Pipit appeared on the rising tide.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 750 Common Scoter, 150 Kittiwake, 62 Gannet, 17 Red-throated Diver, 11 Shag, 3 Sandwich Tern and a Manx Sheareater.
Grounded Migrants
Although 23 Wheatear were logged passage remained slow with additional sightings limited to 4 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 545 light-bellied birds and waders included 1845 Oystercatcher, 960 Redshank, 680 Golden Plover, 542 Dunlin, 339 Curlew, 256 Turnstone, 165 Knot, 130 Sanderling, 102 Grey Plover, 90 Ringed Plover, 72 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and two Water Pipit appeared on the rising tide.
Wildfowl on the move
10th April 2024 – overcast/rain soon SSE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 530 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, 9 Kittiwake, 8 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining slow with sightings limited to 5 Wheatear and single Fieldfare and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 1190 Pink-footed Geese and 9 Whooper Swan headed north.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 530 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, 9 Kittiwake, 8 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining slow with sightings limited to 5 Wheatear and single Fieldfare and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 1190 Pink-footed Geese and 9 Whooper Swan headed north.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Common Scoter on the move
8th April 2024 – showers SE1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 820 Common Scoter along with 10 Kittiwake, 9 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining slow with sightings limited to 3 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 320 Pink-footed Geese headed north and a few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 531 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Small White and Red Admiral were on the wing and the moth trap attracted a Clouded Drab.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 820 Common Scoter along with 10 Kittiwake, 9 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining slow with sightings limited to 3 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 320 Pink-footed Geese headed north and a few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 531 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Small White and Red Admiral were on the wing and the moth trap attracted a Clouded Drab.
First House Martin arrives
7th April 2024 –showers S4/8
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 315 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Sandwich Tern and 2 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Three Swallow and 2 House Martin flew through – the latter the first of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 500 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 315 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Sandwich Tern and 2 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Three Swallow and 2 House Martin flew through – the latter the first of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 500 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)