Friday, 27th April 2018

Offshore
5 Shelducks east, 108 Common Scoters east, 13 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Gannet west, 1 Guillemot east and 12 Sandwich Terns.

 Gannet

Visible Migration

125 Pink-footed Geese north, 5 Whimbrels east, 3 Wood Pigeons east, 6 Carrion Crows north-east, 6 Sand martins north/north-east, 62 Swallows north/north-east, 2 House Martins north-east, 1 Yellow Wagtail

east, 3 Alba Wagtails north, 3 Tree Pipits north/north-east, 10 Meadow Pipits north, 16 Linnets east, 8 Redpolls east and 11 Goldfinch east.

Grounded Migrants

2 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Whinchat, 9 Wheatears, 5 White Wagtails and 3 Lesser Redpolls.

Others

1 Little Egret, 70 Ringed Plovers, 13 Whimbrels, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Turnstones, 125 Knots, 70 Sanderlings, 350 Dunlins and 1 Common Sandpiper.

 

 Mistle Thrush

Thursday, 26th April 2018

Offshore 
56 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser east, 4 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Fulmar west, 34 Manx Shearwaters west, 37 Gannets west, 2 Arctic Skuas east, 2 Razorbills east, 1 Guillemot west, 5 Auk sp. west, 2 Little Terns east, 7 Arctic Terns east and 6 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration

2 Whimbrels east, 7 Swallows north, 1 House Martins east and 75 Goldfinch west.

 

 House Martin

Grounded Migrants 

3 Wheatears.

Others

1 Little Egret, 60 Ringed Plovers, 65 Grey Plovers, 9 Whimbrels, 45 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 170 Turnstones, 300 Knots, 75 Sanderlings, 400 Dunlins and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Wednesday, 25th April 2018

Offshore
1 Scaup east, 76 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Divers east, 2 Fulmars west, 11 Manx Shearwaters west, 19 Gannets west, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Razorbill east, 1 Auk sp. east, 9 Sandwich Terns and 3 Kittiwakes east.

Visible Migration 

8 Whimbrels east, 11 Swallows north, 2 Alba Wagtails north, 5 Meadow Pipits north, 3 Linnets east and 54 Goldfinch west.

 

 Whimbrel

Grounded Migrants 

2 Wheatears.

Others 

1 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 39 Ringed Plovers, 12 Whimbrels, 47 Black-tailed Godwits, 85 Turnstones, 200 Knots, 75 Sanderlings, 100 Dunlins, 1 Common Sandpiper and 11 House Martins.

 

 Little Ringed Plover

Tuesday, 24th April 2018

Offshore:
1 Shelduck east, 1 Wigeon east, 63 Common Scoters east, 2 Red-throated Divers east, 7 Manx Shearwaters west, 12 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Razorbill east and 4 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

3 Whimbrels east, 19 Swallows north, 1 Alba Wagtail north, 3 Linnets east, 1 Redpoll east and 41 Goldfinch west.

Grounded Migrants

1 Willow Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtails and 2 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 White Wagtail

Others 

36 Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrels, 31 Black-tailed Godwits, 63 Turnstones, 80 Knots, 90 Dunlins, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Swift, 25 Swallows and 12 House Martins.

 

 Whimbrel

Monday, 23rd April 2018

Offshore 
141 Common Scoters east, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 21 Red-throated Divers east, 33 Manx Shearwaters west, 18 Gannets west, 1 Arctic Skua east, 3 Razorbills east, 5 Auk Sp. east, 11 Sandwich Terns, 4 Common Terns east and 4 Kittiwakes east.

 Gannets

Visible Migration 

2 Whimbrels east, 2 Sand Martins north and 7 Swallows north.

Grounded Migrants:

2 Wheatears.

Others 

48 Ringed Plovers, 10 Whimbrels, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 75 Turnstones, 55 Sanderlings, 80 Dunlins and 3 House Martins.

Sunday, 22nd April 2018

Offshore 
35 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Red-throated Divers east, 3 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe east, 15 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern west and 11 Arctic Terns east.

Visible Migration 

1 Whimbrel east, 9 Wood Pigeons east, 7 Collared Doves east, 2 Swallows north, 7 Alba Wagtails north, 5 Tree Pipits north, 7 Meadow Pipits north, 17 Linnets east, 3 Redpolls east and 52 Goldfinch east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat and 3 Wheatears.

 

Wheatear

Others

58 Ringed Plovers, 3 Whimbrels, 68 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 37 Turnstones, 175 Knots, 47 Sanderlings, 80 Dunlins, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Swifts and 1 House Martin.

 

 Swift

Saturday, 21st April 2018

The highlight of a decent vis morning was a single Chough that flew high west over the Point at 0725, the second year in a row this species has been recorded at the Obs.

Chough

Offshore 

7 Teal east, 48 Common Scoters east,3 Red-throated Divers east & 4 on the sea, 1 Gannet west, 2 Great Crested Grebes east, 1 Razorbill east, 17 Sandwich Terns and 18 Arctic Terns east. Also 2 Harbour Porpoises.

Visible Migration

320 Pink-footed Geese north, 3 Whimbrels east, 1 Sparrowhawk north, 44 Wood Pigeons east, 1 Chough west, 6 Jackdaws north-east, 1 Rook east, 3 Carrion Crows north-east, 8 Swallows north, 1 House Martin east, 2 Tree Sparrows east, 9 Alba Wagtails north, 6 Tree Pipits north, 82 Meadow Pipits north, 54 Linnets east, 218 Redpolls north, 63 Goldfinch east and 1 Siskin east.

Grounded Migrants

2 Chiffchaffs, 20 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 9 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 5 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 21 White Wagtails.

 

 Yellow Wagtail

 

 Willow Warbler

Others

1 Gadwall, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrels, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 43 Turnstones, 350 Knots, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Snipe.

Ringing

1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Wren, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Dunnock, 1 House Sparrow & 45 Lesser Redpolls plus three controls.

 

 Lesser Redpoll

Friday, 20th April 2018

The first Cuckoo and Wood Warbler of the year were recorded today.

Wood Warbler

Offshore 

93 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Gannet east, 1 Guillemot and 9 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

2 Whimbrels east, 3 Swallows north, 5 Alba Wagtails north, 6 Meadow Pipits north, 2 Redpolls east and 11 Goldfinch east.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Cuckoo, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 7 Wheatears, 5 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Siskins.

Wood Warbler

Others 

1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 93 Turnstones, 300 Knots and 2 Common Sandpipers.

Thursday, 19th April 2018

A decent migration day with the highlights being a brief singing male Corn Bunting on the Golf Course, a 'Mealy' Redpoll trapped & ringed, plus the first Whitethroat and Whinchat of the year.

Offshore 

42 Common Scoters east, 6 Red-throated Divers east, 2 Manx Shearwaters west, 3 Gannets west, 2 Great Crested Grebes east, 1 Razorbill east, 4 Arctic Terns east and 8 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

667 Pink-footed Geese north, 1 Whimbrel east, 91 Wood Pigeons east, 2 Collared Doves east, 1 Rook east, 6 Carrion Crows north-east, 2 Sand Martins north, 7 Swallows north, 2 Yellow Wagtails east, 1 Grey Wagtails east, 10 Alba Wagtails north, 9 Tree Pipits north, 109 Meadow Pipits north, 1 Chaffinch east, 31 Linnets east, 37 Redpolls east, 33 Goldfinch east and 4 Siskins east.

 Pink-footed Geese

Grounded Migrants

2 Chiffchaffs, 20 Willow Warblers, 15 Blackcaps, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 30 Wheatears, 4 White Wagtails and 1 Corn Bunting.

 Whinchat

 Blackcap

 Whitethroat

Others 

2 Gadwalls, 1 Little Egret, 1 Whimbrel, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Turnstones, 500 Knots and 36 Dunlins.

Ringing

1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 House Sparrow, 1 'Mealy' Redpoll and 10 Lesser Redpolls.

 Mealy and Lesser Redpoll

Wednesday, 18th April 2018

Offshore 
2 Wigeons east, 2 Teal east, 63 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Fulmar east, 4 Gannets east, 1 Razorbill east, 14 Sandwich Terns and 9 Arctic Terns east.

Visible Migration 

6 Whimbrels east, 1 Snipe east, 2 Wood Pigeons east, 11 Swallows north, 3 Alba Wagtails north, 2 Tree Pipits north, 37 Meadow Pipits north, 16 Linnets east, 2 Redpolls east and 84 Goldfinch west.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers, 8 Wheatears and 9 White Wagtails.

 

 Wheatear

Others 

2 Gadwalls, 1 Little Egret, 59 Ringed Plovers, 57 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Turnstones, 90 Sanderlings and 55 Dunlins.

Tuesday, 17th April 2018

Offshore 
36 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Manx Shearwater east, 6 Gannets west, 5 Razorbills east, 7 Auk sp. east, 7 Sandwich Terns and 11 Kittiwakes west.

Visible Migration

2 Alba Wagtails north, 1 Tree Pipit north-east, 18 Meadow Pipits north/north-east and 16 Goldfinch west.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Goldcrest, 12 Wheatears and 4 White Wagtails.

Others

11 Wigeons, 2 Gadwalls, 68 Ringed Plovers, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 82 Turnstones, 115 Sanderlings, 75 Dunlins and 1 Common Sandpiper.

 

 Common Sandpiper

 

 Dunlin

Monday, 16th April 2018

There was a large easterly movement of Common Scoters into the Bay this morning, and the majority of these birds were 'high' and climbing as they headed east, indicating a very probable over-land crossing to the east coast! This corresponds with similar observations made on the Solway today as well. 

Offshore
2 Teal west, 2 Shovelers west, 1067 Common Scoters east, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 8 Red-throated Divers east, 2 Fulmars west, 8 Manx Shearwaters west, 31 Gannets west, 2 Razorbills west, 1 Guillemot, 8 Auk sp. west, 15 Sandwich Terns east, 5 Arctic Terns east, 4 Kittiwakes west and 4 Little Gulls.

Visible Migration:

9 Alba Wagtails north, 48 Meadow Pipits north, 23 Linnets east, 4 Redpolls east, 69 Goldfinch west and 1 Siskin east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Wheatears, 11 White Wagtails and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

 

 Willow Warbler

 

 Lesser Whitethroat

Others:

2 Gadwalls, 1 Shoveler, 58 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whimbrel, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 138 Turnstones, 600 Knots, 37 Sanderlings, 45 Dunlins and 1 Purple Sandpiper.

Sunday, 15th April 2018

Offshore

1 Shelduck east, 31 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Divers east & 1 on the sea, 3 Manx Shearwaters west, 6 Gannets west, 2 Auk sp. west, 36 Sandwich Terns east and 3 Kittiwakes east.

 

 Gannet

Visible Migration:

2 Whimbrels east, 83 Wood Pigeons east, 5 Jackdaws east, 1 Rook east, 1 Sand Martin north, 4 Swallows north, 3 Tree Sparrows east, 2 Yellow Wagtails east, 25 Alba Wagtails north, 3 Tree Pipits north, 266 Meadow Pipits north, 1 Chaffinch east, 73 Linnets east, 12 Redpolls east, 92 Goldfinch east and 4 Siskins east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, 12 Willow Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Redstart, 12 Wheatears, 75 White Wagtails, 5 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Siskins.

Willow Warbler

Ringing

2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 Lesser Redpoll

Saturday, 14th April 2018

With the return of IG to the country daily coverage at the Obs will now resume. 

Offshore:

2 Shelducks east, 6 Wigeons east, 2 Teals west, 347 Common Scoters east, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 12 Red-throated Divers east & 2 on the sea, 6 Gannets east, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 6000 Knots west, 1 Razorbill, 32 Sandwich Terns east, 1 Common Tern east, 1 Little Gull east and 2 Med. Gulls east.

Visible Migration

123 Pink-footed Geese north, 7 Wood Pigeons east, 8 Jackdaws north-east, 6 Carrion Crows north-east, 2 Sand Martins north, 9 Swallows north, 1 Grey Wagtail east, 7 Alba Wagtails north, 74 Meadow Pipits north, 1 Brambling east, 14 Linnets east, 1 Redpoll east, 35 Goldfinch east and 3 Reed Buntings east.

 

 Meadow Pipit

Grounded Migrants:

2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Redwing, 7 Wheatears and 5 White Wagtails.

 

 Wheatear

Others 

17 Wigeons, 2 Gadwalls, 1 Shoveler, 1 Goldeneye, 67 Ringed Plovers, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 115 Turnstones, 43 Sanderlings and 80 Dunlins.

 

 Shoveler

Sunday, 8th April 2018

At first light visibility across the Bay was poor, and within half an hour it was completely engulfed in murk and drizzle, consequently the movement offshore and that of visible migration was restricted. 

Offshore
8 Common Scoters, 5 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Gulls west and 28 Sandwich Terns south.

Visible Migration
4 Swallows northeast, 2 Alba Wagtails east, 151 Meadow Pipits east/northeast, 1 Goldfinch northeast, 30 Siskins east/northeast (one flock of 27!), 6 Linnets northeast and 4 Redpolls east/southeast.

Grounded Migrants
2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler and 5 Goldcrests.