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Recent Sightings

Rarities in upper case.     Weather at dawn.

(Most recent first)

24th Oct 2004
Weather at dawn: SW 3, 3 miles, drizzle, 7/8 cloud
Sightings: 8 Goldcrest, 3 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 4 Song Thrush, 10 Blackbird, 2 Redpoll, 1 Sparrowhawk.
Ringing: 7 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sparrowhawk.

23rd Oct
NW 2, 30 miles, 1/8
10 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Greenfinch, 3 Meadow Pipit, 10 Redpoll, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Sparrowhawk.
Ringing: 9 Redpoll, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin, 1 Chaffinch.

22nd Oct
SSW 2, 40 miles, 2/8
50 Greenfinch, 70 Redpoll, 20 Skylark, 1 Whooper Swan, 3 Rook, 2 Blackcap, 1 Redwing.
Ringing: 49 Redpoll, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Magpie.

21st Oct
W 5 50 miles, 2/8
1 Whooper Swan, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Redpoll, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Redwing, 7 Goldfinch.
Ringing: 1 Redwing, 1 Magpie, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch.

20th Oct
NE 3, 40 miles, 8/8
10 Goldfinch, 1 Skylark, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch.
Ringing: 2 Moorhen, 1 Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch.

19th Oct
SE 3, 20 miles, 6/8
1 Collared Dove, 20 Redpoll, 12 Goldfinch, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Arctic Tern, 50 Gannet, 200 Razorbill, 150 auks. At sea: 12 Harbour Porpoises.
Ringing: 2 Chaffinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 4 Goldcrest, 5 Redpoll, 1 Moorhen.

18th Oct
Weather at dawn: W2, 35 miles, 4/8
100 Greenfinch, 80 Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting, 7 Whooper Swan, 12 Meadow Pipit, 16 Skylark, 4 Peregrine (one killed a late Sandwich Tern), 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Buzzard, 3 Hooded Crow, 2 Carrion Crow. 13 Grey Seal pups counted on the obs, extra to 3 already born on Mew.
Ringing: 7 Greenfinch, 33 Redpoll, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Robin, 1 Wren.

2nd Oct
SW 4, 25 miles, 2/8
25 Goldcrests, 12 meadow Pipits.
Ringed: 16 Goldcrest, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Robin.

26th Sep
W 4, 25 miles, 2/8
25 Goldcrest, 100+ meadow Pipit, 20 Goldfinch, 3 Redpoll.
Ringed 12 Goldcrest, 23 Meadow Pipit, 7 Goldfinch, 3 Redpoll.

25th Sep
W 4, 25 miles, 4/8
100 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff
Ringed: 59 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff.

19th Sep
W 4, 25 miles, 4/8
100+ Meadow Pipit, 25 Goldcrest, 6 Redpoll, 5 Raven (WNW), 60 Swallow, 4 H Martin.
Ringed: 46 Meadow Pipit, 16 Goldcrest, 3 Swallow, 2 Redpoll, 1 Linnet.

18th Sep
W 4, 25 miles, 0/8
300+ Meadow Pipit, 20 Goldcrest.
Ringed: 65 Meadow Pipit, 9 Goldcrest, 5 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting.

17th Sep
SW 4, 25 miles, 2/8
300+ Meadow Pipits, 1 Redpoll, 2 Robin, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine.
Ringed: 52 Meadow Pipit, 5 Linnet, 2 Goldcrest.

16th Sep
S 6, 15 miles, intermittent rain, 8/8
10 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird. Lots at sea, 800 Kittiwake, 400 Manx S. 2 Arctic Skuas,
Ringed: 6 Goldcrest, 1 Linnet, 1 Blackbird, 1 Stock Dove.

15th Sep
WNW 4, 30 miles, 4/8
120 Meadow Pipit, 4 Goldcrest, 6 Robin, 5 Sandwich Tern.
Ringed: 22 Meadow Pipit, 3 Linnet, 4 Goldcrest.

14th Sep
SW 6, 2 miles, torrential rain, 8/8
2 Wheatears, 500+ Guillemots, 300+ Kittiwakes.
Ringed: nil

13th Sep
SW 6, 30 miles, 4/8
60 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Robin
Ringed: 2 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 5 Linnet, 9 Meadow Pipit.

12th Sep
W 6, 20 miles, 8/8
2 Stock Dove, 1 Goldcrest.

11th Sep
W 5-6, 20 miles, 5/8
4 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff (also ringed)

10th Sep
NE 1, 8 miles, 7/8
Seen and ringed: 10 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wren, 1 Song Thrush.

9th Sep
E 4, 15 miles, 8/8
Nil

8th Sep
E 4-5, 20 miles, 0/8
1 Kestrel
Ringed: 4 Goldcrest and 1 Chiffchaff.

7th Sep
E 1-2, 15 miles, 0/8
2 Greenshank, 1 Golden Plover, 30 Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 9 high Lesser Black-backed Gull (S).
Ringed: 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Robin, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Blackbird.

6th Sep
NNW 4, 10 miles, 8/8
3 Greenshank, 4 Wheatear, 1 Goldcrest
Ringed: 1 Goldcrest.

5th Sep
Calm, 10 miles, 8/8
20 Goldcrest, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat,, 8 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin.
Ringed 15 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Swallow, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Stock Dove.

4th Sep
W 3, 40 miles, 7/8
8 Goldcrest, 2 Pied Wagtail, 8 Meadow Pipit, 350 Swallow, 2500 Kittiwakes, 100 Manx S.
Ringed: 8 Goldcrest, 7 Wren, 4 Robin, 4 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Blackbird.

3rd Sep
S 5, 12 miles, 7/8 low cloud at 2000hrs.
Ringed: nil.

30th Aug
NW 6, 20 miles, showers, 3/8
1 Arctic Skua at 1100hrs.
Ringed: nil.

29th Aug
W 3, 30 miles, 2/8
1 Whitethroat, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua,2 Great Skua, 11 Swift, 5 Sandwich Terns.
Ringed: 1 Goldcrest, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat.

28th Aug
W 2, 50 miles, 2/8
30 Swallow, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Skua.
Ringed: 2 Robin, 9 Swallow, 4 Wren, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest.

27th Aug
NW 6, 5 miles, showers, 8/8
17 Turnstone.

26th Aug
W 4, 10 miles, showers, 8/8
1 Arctic Skua, 20 Swifts, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hen Harrier.

25th Aug
NW 4, 20 miles, 3/8 at 2000hrs.
1 Goldcrest, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Whimbrel.

Spring Migration Summary

This is the end of the spring migration account - rather disappointing in the later stages.

29th May
E 1, 50 metres, 8/8
Seen and ringed: 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Willow Warbler (acredula)
Also ringed - 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull

28th May
SSE 4-5, 5 miles, 8/8
Seen and ringed - 1 Spotted Flycatcher

23rd May
NNE 1, 30 miles, 3/8
1 Goldfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 2 Puffins
Ringed: 1 Herring Gull

22nd May
N 2, 50 miles, 1/8
2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Lapwing, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Great Skua
Ringed: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Swallow, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting

20th May
W 1-2, 20 miles, 6/8
1 Goldfinch, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Redpoll, 1 Red-throated Diver
Ringed: 2 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat

19th May
W 4-5, 25 miles, 3/8
3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swift, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Whimbrel
Ringed: 5 Swallow, 5 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat.

18th May
SW 1, 25 miles, 1/8
2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Cuckoo (one of yesterday's?)
Ringing: 2 Redpoll, 3 Swallow

17th May
Calm, 25 miles, 2/8
20 House Martin, 100 Swallow (W), 12 Swift, 15 Jackdaw, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Skylark, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Greenfinch, 6 Sedge Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat
Ringing: 1 Manx Shearwater, 6 Swallow, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 3 Spotted Flycatcher

16th May
N 1, 42 miles, 8/8
1 Whimbrel, 4 House Martin, 1 Swift, 1 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow, 1 Spotted Flycatcher
Ringing: 1 Fieldfare, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow, 1 Spotted Flycatcher

15th May
W 2, 50 miles, 7/8
1 Hen Harrier, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler
Ringing: 1 Garden Warbler

9th May
NNW 5, 10 miles, showers, 8/8
2 Wheatears, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 9 Lapwing
Ringing: 1 Meadow Pipit

8th May
NW 5, 10 miles, 8/8
1 Sparrowhawk (also ringed)

3rd May
NW 4, 20 miles, 4/8
2 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 10 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Swift, 4 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Tern
Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler,1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Swallow, 2 Linnet Total 6

2nd May
N 1, 20 miles, 8/8
20+ Willow Warbler, 8 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 12 Swallow, 1 Redpoll, 1 Ringed Plover
Ringing: 11 Willow Warbler, 1 Greenland Wheatear, 1 Swallow, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Wren, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Moorhen, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Fulmar Total 24

25th April
Thick Fog
25 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 House Martin, 1 Whimbrel
Ringing: 18 Willow Warbler Total 18

24th April
Light S breeze, variable cloud
120 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Greenland Wheatear, 2 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Whimbrel
Ringing: 67 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Blackcap Total 70

23rd April
SW4, 20 miles, 5/8
30 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Swallows now in residence
Ringing: 26 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sparrowhawk

22nd April
W 3-4, 20 Miles, 5/8
10 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Swallow (one male singing overhead), 15 Jackdaw, 12 Rook, 20 Hooded Crow, 2 Carrion Crow, and 2 hybrids
Ringing: 6 Willow Warbler,1 Wren, 1 Blackcap, 1 Linnet, 1 Hooded Crow Total 10

21st April
S 8, 6 miles, shrs to W, 8/8
Migrants nil Ringing: 1 Linnet

20th April
SSW 3, 25 miles to W, 5 to E, shrs moving away to E, 8/8
30 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 1 Redstart, 3 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch
Ringing: 25 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 1 Wren, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Moorhen Total 39

Photograph by Neville McKee

These two Willow Warblers were caught in the morning of 20th April 2004. The bird on the left is of the cool form acredula almost without yellow on the underparts and with very grey upperparts. It contrasted markedly with the very yellow form of trochilus on the right that is very typical of Irish birds.

A more detailed look at the three plumage variations of Willow Warblers regularly found on Copeland in Spring is presented in the photo gallery, along with a spring Chiffchaff for comparison.

19th April
WNW 6, 30 miles, rain clearing E, 7/8
2 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Swallow, 7 Hooded Crow, 4 Carrion Crow, 400 Kittiwake north
Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird Total 3

18th April
Manning from 1600hrs; NW5, 25miles, showers, 4/8 No migrants present.

17th April - not manned

16th April
WSW 1-2, 40 miles, 1/8
20 Willow Warbler, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear
Ringing: 18 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Chaffinch

15th April
SSE 7, 5 miles, heavy rain, 8/8
After 0800hrs - 35 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sparrowhawk
Ringing: 22 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Blackbird, 1 Wheatear Total 31

14th April
SW4, 15 miles, 7/8
2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Swallow, 20 Willow Warbler, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap
Ringing: 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 5 Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Hooded Crow Total 18

13th April
W 2-3, 20 miles, 6/8
30 Willow Warbler, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Blackbird, 1 Sparrowhawk
Ringing: 22 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Blackbird, 8 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Moorhen Total 39

12th April
NW3 50+ miles, 3/8
Sightings and ringing: 1 Robin, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Reed Bunting Total 9

11th April
W3, 50 miles, 1/8
1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallow, 8 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 20 Meadow Pipit
Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest Total 7

10th April
N 3-4, 20 miles, 8/8
2 Sand Martin, 70 Brent (N 1300hrs), 6 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear
Ringing: 1 Wheatear, 2 Robin, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Reed Bunting

4th April:
W 4-5, 25 miles, 1/8, very cold.
6 Goldcrests, 5 Chaffinches, 1 Robin, 4 Lapwings.
Ringing: 4 Goldcrest, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting. Total: 11.

Linnets and Reed Buntings are not listed as migrants because the birds present are probably local nomads. The Linnet flock peaked at about 30 birds and Reed Buntings at about 20.

3rd April:
SE 5, 15 miles, heavy rain, 8/8. Rain ceased at 0900hrs.
2 Blackbird, 10 Goldcrest, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Hooded Crow, 8 Carrion Crow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 15 Meadow Pipit
Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Chaffinch, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 8 Linnet, 2 Blackbird Total 19.

2nd April:
SE 4, 20 miles, rain clearing to NE, > 5/8
2 Fieldfare, 13 Greenfinch, 40 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Chaffinch 1200hrs; new arrival of 5 Chiffchaff, 2Willow Warbler, 1 Merlin, 2 Sand Martin
Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff, 1Willow Warbler, 21 Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Manx Shearwater. Total: 39.

1st April:
E 5, 3 miles, 8/8
60 Meadow Pipit, 50 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, MALE HEN HARRIER and 2 ring-tails.
Ringing: 21 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, 5 Meadow Pipit. Total: 37.

31st March:
SE 8-9, 10 miles, 8/8
60 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 1 SNOW BUNTING, 10 Hooded Crow and 2 Hybrids, 3 WHITE WAGTAIL, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Sandwich Tern
Ringing: 5 Goldcrest, 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 REDWING. Total 14.

Photograph by Neville McKee

This handsome Redwing was caught in the evening of 31st March, 2004 in the north-west garden mist net. Just a few pause to feed on the island in the spring on their way back to Northern Europe.

30th March:
E 5, 3 miles, 8/8
12+ new Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Wheatear, 100 Meadow Pipit, 6 Skylark, 8 Chaffinch, 2 BRAMBLING, 7 Greenfinch, 6 Woodpigeon, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Buzzard. At sea: 200 Guillemots, 400 Razorbills, 60 Kittiwakes, 60 Manx Shearwaters and a Sandwich Tern (all feeding off the NW of the island).
Ringing: 12 Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinch, 1 BRAMBLING, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 3 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Meadow Pipit. Total: 28.

This perfect adult female Brambling was ringed on 30th March 2004. To the inexperienced eye, the Brambling is rather similar to the Chaffinch, but it is really different in just about every detail.

Photograph by Neville McKee

This fine young male Wheatear was caught on 30th March 2004. It is of the race oenanthe that breeds in Ireland and Scotland.

29th March:
SW 1, 20miles, 8/8 cloud.
60 Goldcrest, 40 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Siskin, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Stonechat, 1 GREAT TIT, 1 BLUE TIT, 30 Magpie (8 seen going to Scotland), 15 Hooded Crow, 20 Jackdaw, 14 Rook, 2 Raven, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin. At sea: 5000 Razorbill (SE), 6 Turnstone, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Puffin.
Ringing: 45 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 GREAT TIT, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Dunnock, 1 Sparrowhawk. Total 54.