Sunday, 30th December 2012

Offshore 

25 Wigeons west, 1 Teal west, 11 Pintails west, 25 Common Scoters, 15 Red-breasted Mergansers, 39 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 11 Kittiwakes west, 48 Little Gulls and 6 Auk sp. west.

Others 

2 light-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Peregrine, 165 Grey Plovers, 46 Ringed Plovers, 1,540 Knot, 180 Sanderlings, 12 Snipe, 31 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Rock Pipits and 1 Stonechat.

 

 Ringed Plover

Saturday, 29th December 2012

Offshore

22 Wigeons west, 14 Teal west, 7 Pintails west, 170 Common Scoters, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Goldeneyes west, 14 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 62 Grey Plovers west, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits west, 2 Kittiwakes west, 14 Little Gulls, 3 Guillemots west, 1 Razorbill west and 18 Auk sp. west.

Others

600 Pink-footed Geese, 16 Goldeneyes, 1 Bittern, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 36 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Black Redstart.

 

 Dunlin

Friday, 28th December 2012

The drake Green-winged Teal was seen again today and there was a nice flock of 78 Little Gulls feeding offshore.

Offshore 

70 Wigeon west, 7 Teal west, 5 Mallard east, 2 Pintails west, 30 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 2 Goldeneyes west, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 63 Cormorants west, 6 Kittiwakes west, 78 Little Gulls, 3 Guillemots west and 5 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

19 Whooper Swans east.

Others

800 Pink-footed Geese, 1 drake Green-winged Teal, 600 Teal, 7 Shovelers, 13 Goldeneyes, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 33 Ringed Plovers, 175 Sanderlings, 450 Dunlins, 410 Oystercatchers, 94 Turnstones and 2 Ravens.

 

 Sanderlings

Thursday, 27th December 2012

The Bittern population doubled today with two showing very well during the afternoon. Offshore there was a good count of Red-throated Divers moving west.

Offshore

3 Shelducks east, 17 Wigeon west, 4 Teal east, 2 Mallard east, 800 Common Scoters, 14 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 70 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west & 1 on sea, 1 Razorbill west, 1 Guillemot and 26 Auk sp. west. Also 3 Harbour Porpoises lingered offshore. 

 

 Wigeon

Visible Migration 

1,050 Pink-footed Geese moved north across the bay.

Others 

2 Bitterns showing well at the pools, 800 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Goldeneyes, 1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 700 Lapwings, 330 Dunlins, 36 Black-tailed Godwits, 452 Oystercatchers, 8 Grey Plovers, 222 Sanderlings, 155 Turnstones, 5 Med. Gulls, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Stonechat and 8 Rock Pipits.

Wednesday, 26th December 2012

A totally unexpected Little Auk flew west just offshore at 08:54 today. It's the first ever at the Obs that has been seen during moderate winds, all the previous records have been seen during winter gales.

Offshore

4 Wigeon west, 48 Teal west, 500 Common Scoters, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 12 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes west, 30 Bar-tailed Godwits west, 7 Kittiwakes west, 11 Little Gulls west, 2 Guillemots west, 6 Auk sp. west and 1 Little Auk west.

Others 

800 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Little Egret, 3 Peregrines - a pair & a 1CY bird, 800 Lapwings, 180 Golden Plovers, 180 Dunlins, 7 Snipe, 72 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Water Pipit and 45 Twite.

 

 Dunlin & Lapwings

Tuesday, 25th December 2012

Offshore

3 Common Scoters west, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 6 Mallards east, 9 Red-throated Divers west and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Visible Migration

21 Woodpigeons east. 

Others 

350 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Pintails, 3 Kestrels,1 Peregrine, 600 Lapwings, 70 Golden Plovers, 105 Grey Plovers, 2,000 Knot, 115 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Turnstones 1 Med. Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats.

 Redshank

Monday, 24th December 2012

Offshore 

3 Shelducks east, 16 Wigeons west, 17 Teal west, 28 Common Scoters west, 13 Red-breasted Mergansers, 37 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 2 Guillemots west, 3 Razorbills and 5 Auk sp. west.

Others 

800 Pink-footed Geese, 500 Teal, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin, 38 Ringed Plovers, 280 Sanderlings, 82 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Short-eared Owl. 

 

 Turnstone

Sunday, 23rd December 2012

Offshore

7 Wigeon west, 39 Teal west, 4 Pintails west, 22 Common Scoters, 5 Red-breasted  Mergansers, 9 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 6 Kittiwakes west, 2 Little Gulls west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Others 

1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 85 Golden Plovers, 500 Lapwings, 11 Snipe, 105 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Sanderlings, 1 Stonechat, 1 Water Pipit and 42 Twite.

Peregrine

Saturday, 22nd December 2012

Offshore

7 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Guillemot east and 1 Auk sp. west. Also 1 Atlantic Grey Seal pup on the beach.

 

Atlantic Grey Seal pup

Others

470 Pink-footed Geese, 475 Wigeon, 1 Green-winged Teal, 900 Teal, 3 Shovelers, 33 Ringed Plovers, 175 Sanderling, 75 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Stonechat.

Friday, 21st December 2012

More Waxwings were seen today and a new Black Redstart was found during the afternoon.

Offshore 

32 Common Scoters, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Kittiwakes west, 4 Little Gulls and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

7 Waxwings east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Waxwing briefly in the town centre and 1 Black Redstart.

 

 Black Redstart

Others 

500 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Shovelers, 2 Water Rails, 2 Peregrines, 600 Lapwings, 450 Knot, 220 Sanderlings, 17 Snipe, 155 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Rock Pipits, 2 Bullfinch and 1 Snow Bunting.

Thursday, 20th December 2012

Offshore 

5 Wigeon west, 55 Common Scoters, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Little Gull west and 2 Auk sp. east.

Others

1 Water Rail, 1 Woodcock, 63 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Stonechat and 1 Snow Bunting.

 

 Grey Plover

Wednesday, 19th December 2012

Offshore 

250 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers,  5 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Guillemots.

Others 

600 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Goldeneyes, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 75 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl, 7 Rock Pipits, 1 Stonechat, 40 Goldfinch and 1 Snow Bunting.

 

 Tufted Duck

Tuesday, 18th December 2012

Offshore

11 Common Scoters west, 17 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west and 1 Great Crested Grebe. Also 1 Atlantic Grey Seal.

Others

1,500 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 drake Green-winged Teal still present in the Teal flock, 800 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 185 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 63 Ringed Plovers, 180 Sanderlings, 170 Dunlins, 800 Knot, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Brambling and 1 Snow Bunting.

Ringing

1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Redwing, 3 Greenfinch and 2 Goldfinch.

 

 Greenfinch

Monday, 17th December 2012

A drake Green-winged Teal was located amongst the Teal flock this morning and is only the second record for the Observatory.

Offshore 

14 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 8 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes west, 75 Kittiwakes came into the bay following a ferry, 2 Little Gulls, 1 Guillemot west and 1 Auk sp. west.

Others 

1 drake Green-winged Teal, 700 Teal, 1 Peregrine, 16 Golden Plovers, 49 Ringed Plovers, 300 Sanderlings, 110 Black-tailed Godwits, 250 Turnstones, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Stonechat and 1 Snow Bunting.

Sanderlings

Sunday, 16th December 2012

A team was assembled this morning from Fylde Ringing Group to catch and ring Turnstones at the obs. The birds will be fitted with a metal BTO ring above the knee (tibia) on the right leg, a green colour ring below the knee (tarsus) on the right leg and above the knee on the left leg a black flag inscribed with two white letters to identify the birds as individuals. 

The aim of the project is to generate some information on wintering sites and distribution of  wintering Turnstone in the northwest of England or further afield, attempt to find out what the turnover of the birds wintering at the observatory is and where are they coming from to roost/forage at the site, measure winter site fidelity and implications of disturbance if they show high winter site fidelity, generate re-sightings to look at migration routes, try and ascertain whether there are any relationships between wintering areas and breeding areas and possibly measure phenology if we can catch them over a number of years. 

A successful catch was made and 31 Turnstones were fitted with leg flags including a retrapped bird originally ringed at the obs in January 2012.

Offshore 

1 Shelduck east, 35 Common Scoters, 43 Eiders, 14 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Guillemot west and 4 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

4 Lapwings in off, 6 Fieldfares east, 5 Chaffinch east and 1 Brambling east.

Others 

700 Pink-footed Geese, 400 Teal, 482 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 1 Scaup, 2 Water Rails, 1 Peregrine, 47 Ringed Plovers, 160 Sanderlings, 57 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 600 Redshanks, 305 Turnstones, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 17 Rock Pipits, 1 Water Pipit, 47 Twite and 1 Snow Bunting.

Ringing 

31 Turnstones and 2 Starlings.

 Turnstone with leg flag fitted

Saturday, 15th December 2012

Offshore

45 Common Scoters, 1 Goldeneye east, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Auk sp. west.

Others

1,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 1 Scaup, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Water Rails, 29 Ringed Plovers, 130 Sanderlings, 130 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Turnstones, 1 Short-eared Owl, 6 Rock Pipits, 53 Redwings, 25 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes and 87 Fieldfares.

Ringing 

1 Dunnock and 3 Goldfinch.

 

 Cormorant

Friday, 14th December 2012

Offshore 

12 Common Scoters west, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 1 Red-throated Diver west and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Others

300 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Scaup, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, 67 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl and 100 Redwings still present from yesterday but all the Fieldfares have gone.

 

 Short-eared Owl

Black-tailed Godwits

Thursday, 13th December 2012

Another cold day with a hard frost brought an influx of winter Thrushes and a trickle of cold weather movement. The highlight of the day was found in unusual circumstances at dusk; a Bittern, the third winter in succession one has been found at the Obs.

Offshore

15 Whooper Swans west, 16 Common Scoters west, 2 Goosanders - a pair landed briefly on the sea before continuing west, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1 Pink-footed Goose east, 5 Skylarks south, 2 Blackbirds south-east, 16 Redwings south-east and 1 Fieldfare east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Woodcock, 100 Redwings and 120 Fieldfares.

Others 

1 Bittern - whilst watching a Barn Owl, snapping twigs could be heard from

the direction of the pools and a quick peek over the wall produced the Bittern crashing around in the top of a Willow! It flew off over the pool and landed in the reedbed on the far side. 

 

750 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Scaup, 9 Goldeneyes, 1 Little Egret, 3 Water Rails, 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 17 Golden Plovers, 138 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Short-eared Owls and 1 Snow Bunting.

 

 Goldeneye

 

 Red-breasted Mergansers

Ringing

2 Blackbirds, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit and 2 Chaffinch.

Wednesday, 12th December 2012

Offshore 

3 Wigeons east, 3 Mallards west, 1 Common Scoter west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 109 Cormorants west and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Visible Migration 

32 Pink-footed Geese south, 2 Snipe in off and 1 Skylark south.

Others 

600 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Scaup, 8 Goldeneyes, 1 Little Egret, 3 Water Rails, 1 Merlin, 31 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 175 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 adult Yellow -legged Gull, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Short-eared Owls and 1 Snow Bunting.

 

 Goldeneye

 

 Snow Bunting on the frozen beach

Ringing

1 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Goldfinch.

Tuesday, 11th December 2012

Offshore

6 Wigeon west, 55 Common Scoters, 18 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Guillemot and 6Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

6 Skylarks south and 2 Siskins south.

Others 

2 Whooper Swans, 2,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Scaup, 1 Peregrine, 104 Grey Plovers, 32 Ringed Plovers, 1,000 Knot, 23 Snipe, 122 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med.Gull, 2 Short-eared Owls, 8 Rock Pipits, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Snow Bunting.

 Scaup

Ringing

2 Blackbirds, 1 Chaffinch and 3 Goldfinch.

 Chaffinch

Monday, 10th December 2012

Offshore 

12 Common Scoters west, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 4 Kittiwakes west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Grounded Migrants 

3 Waxwings.

 Waxwings - above & below

Others 

850 Pink-footed Geese, 800 Teal, 1 Pintail, 2 Shovelers, 1 Scaup, 9 Goldeneyes, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrines, 74 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Short-eared Owls and 2 Grey Wagtails.

Sunday, 9th December 2012

Offshore

1 Shelduck east, 8 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes east & 1 west, 3 Kittiwakes west and 5 Auk sp.west.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Waxwings and 65 Fieldfares.

Others

1,200 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Scaup, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 800 Lapwings, 180 Sanderlings, 220 Dunlins, 135 Black-tailed Godwits, 630 Redshanks, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Water Pipit and 14 Twites.

 

 Mistle Thrush

Saturday, 8th December 2012

Offshore

13 Common Scoters west, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Guillemot west and 11 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

43 Fieldfares south and 200 Woodpigeons north.

Others 

2 Whooper Swans, 1,200 Pink-footed Geese, 320 Wigeon, 3 Shovelers, 1 Scaup, 3 Water Rails, 1 Merlin, 76 Grey Plovers, 1,200 Knot, 37 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Bullfinch and 14 Twites.

 

 Scaup

Ringing

1 Wren, 2 Dunnocks, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 4 Blackbirds and 1 Redwing.

 

 Redwing

Friday, 7th December 2012

Offshore

6 Teal west, 2 Pintails west, 17 Common Scoters west, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes west, 8 Kittiwakes west, 2 Guillemots west and 22 Auk sp. west.

Others

2,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 adult Greenland White-fronted Goose, 700 Teal, 1 Scaup, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 800 Lapwing, 37 Golden Plovers, 1,200 Knots, 480 Sanderlings, 12 Snipe, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Short-eared Owl.

 

 Greenland White-fronted Goose with Pink-feet

Thursday, 6th December 2012

A cold day with a hard ground frost produced some cold weather movement and arrivals. More Woodpigeons were on the move and there was a small arrival of Thrushes. Interestingly of the 5 Thrushes trapped all had a 0 muscle score. In the afternoon a superb adult Greenland White-fronted Goose was found amongst the Pink-feet.

Offshore 

1 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Goldeneyes.

Visible Migration

2,750 Woodpigeons south and 11 Fieldfares south - all in the first hour after dawn.

 Woodpigeons

Grounded Migrants 

2 Woodcocks, 30 Blackbirds, 32 Redwings and 4 Fieldfares - all in an area of Hawthorns near the feeding station.

Others

1 Whooper Swan, 2,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 adult Greenland White-fronted Goose, 1 Scaup, 6 Goldeneyes, 1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 53 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl and 2 Grey Wagtails.

 Greenland White-fronted Goose (above and below) with Pink-feet.

Ringing

4 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing, 1 Greenfinch and 12 Goldfinch.

 Blackbird

Wednesday, 5th December 2012

Offshore

3 Pintails west, 33 Common Scoters west, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 9 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes east, 3 kittiwakes west, 1 Guillemot west and 14 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

26 Fieldfares south.

Others 

1,500 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Pintail, 1 Scaup, 11 Golden Plovers, 280 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Grey Wagtails and 8 Rock Pipits.

Ringing

1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit and 2 Goldfinch.

 

 Goldfinch

Tuesday, 4th December 2012

Offshore

23 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 7 Kittiwakes west and 15 Auk sp. west.

Grounded Migrants

35 Redwings.

Others 

1,500 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Scaup, 9 Goldeneyes, 13 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Peregrines, 136 Grey Plovers, 33 Ringed Plovers, 1,500 Knot, 280 Sanderlings, 375 Dunlins, 41 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Bullfinch.

 

Pink-footed Geese

Monday, 3rd December 2012

The highlight of today was the finding of a Great White Egret in the early afternoon on the marsh pool.

Offshore

4 Pintail west, 21 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Red-throated Divers west  1 Guillemot east, 1 Razorbill west and 7 Auk sp. west.

Others

1 Great White Egret - found on the marsh pool early afternoon, 1 Whooper Swan, 2,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 1st winter Greylag Goose, 2 Scaup, 1 Merlin, 38 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 38 Twite. 

 

.Twite

Sunday, 2nd December 2012

Offshore

11 Common Scoters west, 14 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west & 3 on the sea, 1 Great Crested Grebe west and 3 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

380 Woodpigeons south-east and 1 Siskin south.

Grounded Migrants

16 Redwings and 1 Fieldfare.

Others

5,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 1st winter Greylag Goose with the Pinkies, 750 Teal, 285 Wigeon, 1 Scaup, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 700 Lapwings, 42 Golden Plovers, 12 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 133 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 12 Rock Pipits and 38 Twite.

Twite

Ringing

1 Dunnock, 2 Great Tits, 1 Blue Tit and 3 Greenfinch.

Saturday, 1st December 2012

Offshore

1 Wigeon east, 1 Pintail east, 3 Mallards east, 10 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 7 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 adult Med. Gull west, 3 Guillemots west, 1 Razorbill west and 29 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

11 Waxwings flew south-west at 09:20.

Grounded Migrants 

7 Redwings and 4 Fieldfares.

Others 

1,200 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Shovelers, 1 Scaup, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Water Rails, 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 275 Sanderlings, 240 Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Turnstones, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl and 2 Snow Buntings.

 

 Scaup

Friday, 30th November 2012

Offshore 

250 Common Scoters, 16 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Guillemot and 4 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

20 Whooper Swans south and 2 Siskins south.

 

 Whooper Swans

Grounded Migrants 

25 Blackbirds, 16 Redwings and 4 Song Thrushes.

Others 

3,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Pintail, 4 Shovelers, 1 Merlin, 38 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 207 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Little Owl, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Kingfisher, 9 Rock Pipits, 1 Black Redstart and 2 Snow Buntings.

Ringing

1 Robin, 2 Greenfinch and 1 Goldfinch.