10th February 2021

Weather: ENE force 2/3

A cold early morning at minus 1 degree

Thirteen Purple Sandpipers were about. 

 

 

Sea birds included 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 4 Great Crested Grebes. Five Pink-footed Geese were seen and 250 Brent, while other  waders logged were 10,000 Oystercatchers, 221 Curlew, 120 Grey Plover, 98 Turnstone. The Kestrel still finds enough food.

 

9th February 2021

 Weather: ENE force 2/3   below freezing at dawn

Two hundred and seventy three Brents were around at the half tide along with the usual waders.

 
A boat lifted and then replaced the yellow buoy that has been off the west side all winter, does anyone know what it does ?

Waders today included 123 Turnstone and 11 Purple Sandpipers.

Walking on the way off Middle the Kestrel was seen to be engaged with a kill, unfortunately the victim could not be identified.

Two Red-Throated Divers were logged while on the island today were 3 Rock Pipits, 7 Wrens, a Robin, a Blackbird and Song Thrush.

5th February 2021

 Weather: S force 2/3 

 A band of mist formed between the island and North Wales, and the main pond was very full as expected after all the rain.

Another large count of 335 Brent included a single dark bellied individual, other good counts today were of 172 Turnstone and 42 Redshank. Some birds on the sea were 5 Great Crested Grebes and 110 Common Scoter. Eight Purple Sandpipers were counted this morning.

Oystercatchers were estimated at 1,850 still resting on the rocks after the tide 

Little Egrets have been scarce during this recent cold spell, this one was on the reef south of Middle.

Five Skylarks went through and were the only passerines 'moving' in addition to the resident Wrens, Blackbird, Robins and 4 Meadow and 3 Rock Pipits. The only Linnets seen were 12 on Middle.

4th February 2021

 Weather:    SE force 2-4,     some interesting cloud formations

Six more Pintail were found today with 3 Wigeon, the regular female Eider and in excess of 300 Brent which comprised the wildfowl on the 'webs' count list today. Waders present through the day were 93 Grey Plover, 88 Turnstone, 11 Purple Sandpiper, 57 Sanderling, 872 Dunlin, 79 Curlew, 22 Ringed Plover, and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits. On the sea were a Great Crested Grebe and 54 Common Scoter. The regulars present this winter (Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Meadow and Rock Pipits) were joined by 2 passing Skylarks and a Pied Wagtail.

3rd February 2021

 Weather: S force 0/1, then SE 1  

A really good comprehensive count of the Brent was achieved today, bringing the total to 337 birds, including 3 colour ringed individuals..

A young seal on the north looked very underweight. Seals resting on the main island are often suspected of being somewhat unwell.

The female Eider was still present, while one of the highlights of today was the sight of 7 Pintails flying south as the tide approached. A Grey heron stood on the west side. heron west side

 Among the waders were 87 Grey Plover.

 noted today were 9 Wrens, 2 Blackbirds, a Song Thrush, 4 Meadow Pipits and 3 Rock Pipits.

1st February 2021

Weather:  E force 1, later SE 2/3

A drake Eider joined the female around the island this morning.

 other highlights were a pair of Pintail in the swash and 6 Red-breasted Mergansers and as many as 71 Great Crested Grebes visible offshore on the calm sea.

 Good numbers of Brent (234) were still about the islands.

 A few of the 70 Turnstones bathed on the rocky north end,

 while 17 Purple Sandpipers rested on the cliffs there at high tide 

Some of the regulars on land were 10 Wrens, 2 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Rock Pipits. A massive 10,000 Knot were noted also 8,000 Oystercatchers.

31st January 2021

 Weather: ESE force 1

Three Wrens were singing today on this last day of January, with other wintering birds present including 4 Rock Pipits,2 Blackbirds, and a Song Thrush. Wader counts included 3000 Knot, 85 Grey Plover, 65 Turnstone. Kestrel and Great Crested Grebe were others that made the list today, while 4 Rock Pipits were the best of the land birds.

30th January 2021

 Weather: ESE force 5, later ENE force 6

Eighteen Purple Sandpipers were again seen roosting at the north end 2 hours before the high tide and the female Eider was still present. A Peregrine was around, also the female Kestrel, while waders included 120 Sanderling, 60 Grey Plover, 60 Turnstone, 75 Curlew and 48 Redshank. Sightings out to sea were 250 Common Scoter and 4 Great Crested Grebes. Species present on the ground were Robin (3), Wren (6), Blackbird, Song Thrush, Meadow and Rock Pipit.