Tuesday, 26th February 2013

Offshore 

3 Shelducks east, 8 Scaup east, 27 Common Scoters west, 20 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Red-throated Divers east & 1 west, 18 Cormorants east, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

65 Pink-footed Geese north, 2 Grey Wagtails north, 2 Alba Wagtails north and 1 Meadow Pipit north.

Others 

1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 27 Ringed Plovers, 33 Golden Plovers, 260 Lapwings, 53 Sanderlings, 600 Dunlins, 19 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Stock Doves.

 

 Linnet

Monday, 25th February 2013

Offshore

26 Common Scoters west, 15 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers west & 1 east, 3 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 east & 2 on the sea and 5 Curlews east.

Others:

3 Goldeneyes, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 36 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 1 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull and 26 Twite.

Ringing

2 Long-tailed Tits.

 

 Knot and Oystercatchers

Sunday, 24th February 2013

Offshore 

2 Shelducks east, 6 Wigeon east, 500 Common Scoters, 28 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 2 east & 2 on the sea, 6 Great Crested Grebes west & 3 on the sea and 1 Auk sp. west.

Others 

2 Water Rails, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 37 Ringed Plovers, 165 Grey Plovers, 270 Lapwings, 1,000 Knot, 100 Sanderlings, 800 Dunlins, 57 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Bar-tailed Godwits,1 Med. Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 1st winter Iceland Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Stock Doves, 1 Raven, 1 Stonechat, 1 Water Pipit and 26 Twite.

 

 Eider

Saturday, 23rd February 2013

Offshore

10 Shelduck west & 5 east, 1 Teal east, 26 Common Scoters west, 36 Red-breasted Mergansers, 29 Red-throated Divers east & 9 west, 6 Great Crested Grebes west , 4 east & 5 on the sea, 56 Lesser Black-backed Gulls east and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

70 Pink-footed Geese north and 1 Pied Wagtail north-east.

Others:

1 Peregrine, 120 Sanderling, 3 Jack Snipes, 18 Snipe, 275 Curlews, 46 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Turnstones, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 1st winter Iceland Gull, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Stonechat, 1 Water Pipit, 26 Twite and 1 Bullfinch.

 

 Twite - above & below

Friday, 22nd February 2013

A nice selection of birds were seen around the Obs today with a superb summer plumaged Black Guillemot that flew west. Also seen today was the first Iceland Gull of the winter and a Long-eared Owl, which was disturbed whilst cutting a new net ride during the afternoon.

Offshore 

3 Shelducks east, 72 Common Scoters west, 18 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Goosanders east, 11 Red-throated Divers east & 5 west, 3 Great Crested Grebes west & 6 on the sea, 1 Guillemot, 1 Auk sp. west and 1 Black Guillemot west at 08:23.

Grounded Migrants:

1 female Stonechat joined yesterday`s male.

Others 

370 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 34 Ringed Plovers, 85 Sanderlings, 700 Dunlins, 2 Jack Snipes, 17 Snipe, 32 Black-tailed Godwits, 220 Curlews, 625 Redshanks, 1 1st winter Iceland Gull, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Stonechat and 7 Rock Pipits.

Dunlin

Thursday, 21st February 2013

Offshore 

23 Common Scoters west, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Guillemots west and 6 Auk sp. west.

Grounded Migrants 

1 male Stonechat.

 

 Stonechat

Others

130 Pink-footed Geese, 120 Teal, 2 Pintails, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 120 Sanderlings, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Med. Gulls and 1 Barn Owl.

Wednesday, 20th February 2013

Offshore

5 Shelducks east, 2 Teal east, 3 Shovelers west, 74 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 2 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Curlews east.

Visible Migration

10 Pink-footed Geese north.

Others

180 Wigeon, 7 Goldeneyes, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 31 Ringed Plovers, 75 Sanderlings, 21 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Little Owl.

Tuesday, 19th February 2013

Offshore 

23 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers and 2 Great Crested Grebes.

Visible Migration 

33 Pink-footed Geese north.

Others

500 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Shovelers, 1 Peregrine, 135 Grey Plovers, 1,000 Knot , 300 Dunlins, 2 Jack Snipes, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Stock Doves and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Monday, 18th February 2013

Offshore

2 Shelduck west, 15 Common Scoters, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Guillemot.

Visible Migration

1 Siskin east.

Others

2 Gadwall, 2 Pintails, 1 Peregrine, 75 Golden Plovers, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Jack Snipes, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Short-eared Owl.

 

 Gadwall

Ringing

1 Starling, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Chaffinch.

Sunday, 17th February 2013

Offshore 

80 Common Scoters, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Red-throated Divers west & 1 on the sea, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Guillemot west and 4 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1,100 Pink-footed Geese north and 1 Grey Wagtail east.

Others 

2 Gadwall, 1 Peregrine, 500 Lapwings, 140 Golden Plovers, 1500 Knot, 300 Dunlins, 4 Jack Snipe, 45 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl, 6 Stock Doves and 6 Rock Pipits.

 

 Pochard

Saturday, 16th February 2013

Offshore:

100 Common Scoters, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

3 Skylarks east and 1 Siskin east.

Others

120 Teal, 3 Gadwalls, 2 Pintails, 5 Goldeneyes, 8 Little Grebes, 1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 44 Ringed Plovers, 72 Sanderlings, 500 Dunlins, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 55 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail, 26 Twite and 1 Bullfinch.

Ringing

1 Great Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and 1 Reed Bunting.

 

 Goldfinch

 

 Reed Bunting

 

Friday, 15th February 2013

Offshore 

2 Wigeon east, 35 Common Scoters, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west and 3 Auk sp. west.

Others

2 Gadwall, 10 Little Grebes, 3 Water Rails, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 420 Lapwings, 36 Golden Plovers, 220 Grey Plovers, 49 Ringed Plovers, 800 Knot, 62 Sanderlings, 650 Dunlins, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Stock Doves, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Raven, 7 Rock Pipits and 45 Twite.

Ringing 

4 Goldfinch.

 

 Goldfinch

Thursday, 14th February 2013

Offshore

500 Common Scoters, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 5 Great Crested Grebes west, 5 Kittiwakes west, 6 Little Gulls west and 1 Auk sp. west.

Others

300 Wigeon, 175 Teal, 4 Pintails, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 360 Lapwings, 36 Ringed Plovers, 48 Sanderlings, 360 Turnstones, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Med. Gulls, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail and 55 Linnets.

 

 Sanderlings and Ringed Plovers

Wednesday, 13th February 2013

Offshore

7 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Others 

2 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneyes, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Tuesday, 12th February 2013

Offshore 

3 Shelducks east, 8 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Guillemot.

Others 

360 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shovelers, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Woodcock, 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl and 9 Rock Pipits.

 

 Eider

Monday, 11th February 2013

A team from Morecambe Bay Wader Ringing Group assembled at the obs this morning to attempt a first cannon netting session at the observatory. The aim was to try and catch some of the wintering Sanderling, but unfortunately due to some disturbance of the roost two days ago numbers hadn't built up again and we only managed to catch ten birds. However, it did demonstrate the potential of the site and the aim is to try and catch some of the returning Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Sanderlings when they move through in the Spring.

 

 Setting the net

 

Offshore

600 Common Scoters, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Auk sp. west.

Others

2 Gadwall, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 27 Ringed Plovers, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med.Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Stonechat.

Ringing 

3 Ringed Plovers, 5 Sanderlings and 2 Turnstones.

 

 Sanderling (adult) - above & below

Sunday, 10th February 2013

Radio Lancashire did an outside broadcast today from the new Coastwatch Tower and this gave Ian the opportunity to talk live on air about migration through the obs and our Turnstone leg flagging project.

 

Offshore

25 Common Scoters, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Goldeneyes, 4 Red-throated Divers west and 5 Great Crested Grebes. Also 1 Atlantic Grey Seal.

Others 

1 Peregrine, 29 Ringed Plovers, 65 Grey Plovers, 1,200 Knot, 300 Dunlins, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Stonechat, 22 Linnets and 70 Twite.

 

 Linnets

Saturday, 9th February 2013

Offshore 

1 Teal east, 4 Common Scoters west, 16 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Red-throated Divers west & 2 on the sea, 2 Great Crested Grebes west and 1 Auk sp. west.

Others 

2 Gadwall, 1 Water Rail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 27 Ringed Plovers, 56 Sanderlings, 4 Jack Snipe, 17 Snipe, 525 Redshanks, 230 Turnstones, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Water Pipit and 70 Twite.

 

 Twite

Ringing

1 Dunnock, 3 Blue Tits, 1 House Sparrow and 2 Goldfinch.

 

 Dunnock

Friday, 8th February 2013

Offshore

1 Shelduck east, 102 Common Scoters west, 14 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 11 Red-throated Divers west, 4 Great Crested Grebes west, 16 Kittiwakes west, 1 Guillemot west and 3 Auk sp. west. Also 2 Harbour Porpoises.

Others 

2 Gadwall, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrines, 37 Ringed Plovers, 175 Sanderlings, 63 Black-tailedGodwits, 230 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Stonechat and 2 Grey Wagtails.

 

 Ringed Plover

Thursday, 7th February 2013

Offshore 

22 Common Scoters west, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe east & 1 on the sea, 1 Little Gull west, 2 Guillemots west and 6 Auk sp. west.

Others

320 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Gadwall, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 200 Sanderlings, 52 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Stonechat, 38 Twite and 1 Bullfinch.

 

 Common Gull

Wednesday, 6th February 2013

Offshore 

175 Common Scoters, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west & 1 on the sea, 3 Little Gulls west, 4 Guillemots west, 2 Razorbills west and 29 Auk sp. west. Also 1 Grey Seal.

Visible Migration 

1 Siskin east.

Others 

2 Gadwall, 1 Buzzard, 175 Grey Plovers, 2,500 Knot, 430 Sanderlings, 800 Dunlins, 9 Snipe, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 7 Rock Pipits and 38 Twite.

 

 Buzzard

Tuesday, 5th February 2013

Offshore 

1 Teal west, 4 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Shag west, 3 Great Crested Grebes west, 35 Kittiwakes west, 7 Little Gulls west, 1 Guillemot west and 5 Auk sp. west.

Others 

2 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 78 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull - a new bird, not the semi-resident bird 'limper' and 2 Med. Gulls.

 

 Oystercatcher

Monday, 4th February 2013

Offshore

11 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 4 Kittiwakes west, 11 Little Gulls west, 1 Razorbill east and 4 Auk sp. west.

Others

2 Gadwall, 225 Grey Plovers, 2,500 Knot, 600 Dunlins, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 260 Turnstones and 1 Med. Gull.

 

 Grey Plover

Sunday, 3rd February 2013

The highlight of a quiet weekend came late in the afternoon when we received a phone call saying a member of the public had reported a group of 30 Waxwings in a local garden. A quick dash around to the address and 31 Waxwings were indeed in the garden! A cat then appeared in the garden and the birds flew off SW.

 

 Waxwings

Offshore 

27 Common Scoters, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Gulls west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Others 

300 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 430 Lapwings, 42 Ringed Plovers, 33 Snipe, 9 Jack Snipe, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Goldcrest, 31 Waxwings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 Rock Pipits and 27 Twite.

Waxwings

Saturday, 2nd February 2013

Offshore

29 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 11 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west & 2 on the sea, 2 Little Gulls west, 1 Guillemot and 14 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

263 Pink-footed Geese north.

Others

700 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Gadwall, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 34 Ringed Plovers, 160 Sanderlings, 65 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Grey Wagtail.

 

 Redshanks

 

Friday, 1st February 2013

The good run of birds continued today with the Observatory`s first ever Smew being found; a long overdue record! It was first found on the old I.C.I. reservoir at 09:10 but soon flew off towards the river. It was relocated on the main pool at the Nature Park in the late afternoon but again seemed wary and soon flew off with two Pochards.

Smew

Offshore 

18 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 34 Kittiwakes west, 27 Little Gulls west, 1 Guillemot west, 1 Razorbill east and 8 Auk sp. west.

Others

1 redhead Smew, 1 drake Green-winged Teal relocated today on Jameson`s Marsh, 600 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 5 Goldeneyes, 1 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2,000 Knot, 300 Sanderlings, 500 Dunlins, 22 Black- tailed Godwits, 2 Med. Gulls and 1 Bullfinch.

 

Green-winged Teal

Thursday, 31st January 2013

Continuing strong winds produced some excellent seabirds today with a superb Little Auk which flew west and more unusual for the time of year, an Arctic Skua which was the first ever winter record for the Observatory.

Offshore

6 Wigeons west, 6 Teal west, 6 Pintails west, 30 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 10 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Shag west, 14 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 Arctic Skua west, 52 Kittiwakes west, 85 Little Gulls west, 5 Guillemots west, 3 Razorbills west, 32 Auk sp. west and 1 Little Auk flew west at 12:05.

 

 Kittiwake

 

 Little Gull (above and below)

Pintails

Others 

1 Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 165 Grey Plovers, 2,500 Knot, 400 Dunlins, 75 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Med. Gulls and 1 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull.

Wednesday, 30th January 2013

Offshore 

3 Wigeon west, 18 Pintails west, 1 Scaup east, 17 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 9 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Fulmar west, 9 Great Crested Grebes west, 17 Bar-tailed Godwits west, 79 Kittiwakes west, 119 Little Gulls west, 5 Guillemots west, 1 Razorbill west & 1 on the sea and 19 Auk sp. west.

Others 

1 Tundra Bean Goose, 1,000 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Gadwall, 325 Teal, 8 Goldeneyes, 1 Peregrine, 170 Sanderlings, 52 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull.

 

 Razorbill

Tuesday, 29th January 2013

Offshore

33 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Great Crested Grebes west & 1 on the sea, 21 Little Gulls west, 1 Guillemot west and 1 Auk sp. west.

Others

1 Tundra Bean Goose, 1,000 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Gadwalls, 1 Peregrine, 400 Lapwings, 28 Ringed Plovers, 155 Sanderlings, 53 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Med. Gull.

 

 Peregrine