June 2009

 Highlights: A Red-necked Phalarope was an all-too-brief visitor to Sunbiggin Tarn (7th).

 Bassenthwaite Lake: The Ospreys and their three young continued to thrive.

 Furness: A Storm Petrel passed Goadsbarrow (18th).

 Hodbarrow: Wildfowl included 74 Mute Swans, a Black Swan and five Gadwall while pick of the waders was a Black-tailed Godwit. Up to three first-summer Little Gulls continued to linger. For the second year running, no Little Terns attempted to breed. Sightings at nearby locations included Storm Petrels (from 7th, max. 25 on 21st) and an Arctic Skua at Selker. 

Inner Solway: A Hobby chased hirundines at Finglandrigg Wood (29th) where 30 Crossbills were also present (30th). A Wood Sandpiper (24th), two Green Sandpipers, 10 Common Sandpipers and a summering Goldeneye were all seen at Rockciffe.

 Kent Estuary: A Honey Buzzard flew over Storth (4th), up to five Little Egrets were present and there were regular sightings of a male Marsh Harrier. A Quail was heard (15th), two Avocets visited Ulpha Meadows (7th) and an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen (16th).

Outer Solway: A Storm Petrel off Parton (21st) was followed by a Mediterranean Gull there (27th) while Workington produced Manx Shearwaters (max. 76) and an Arctic Skua. The two Black Guillemots remained at Whitehaven.

 Walney Bird Observatory: Only meagre pickings were available over the sea with sightings led by single Puffin (7th), Black Guillemot (8th & 17th), Arctic Skua (11th & 17th) and Storm Petrel (21st) whilst at least one Shag appeared to be summering. Up to 125 Sandwich Terns, 60 Arctic Terns, 14 Little Terns and two Common Terns were feeding birds from local colonies while 340 Common Scoters (16th), 260 Manx Shearwaters and 100 Gannets (18th) were from further afield. Also seen were small numbers of Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Guillemots and Razorbills. A group of three Spoonbills flew over the island (7th) and the first of the wintering Little Egrets returned. Small numbers of Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone were seemingly ever present while the first Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit returned. Teal numbers began to build at the end of the month, though wildfowl highlights were led by a summering female Velvet Scoter and a southbound flock of nine Gadwall. A total of 250 Swifts flew east (5th) and the last few Garden Warblers and Spotted Flycatchers moved north. Nonetheless, hints of southbound migration were soon in evidence with Siskin (14th), Blackcap (20th), Cuckoo (22nd), 23 Swifts, 12 Sand Martins and a Wheatear (24th) and Lesser Redpoll (25th). A family party of four Ravens were seen (19th) and a Hooded Crow was logged (2nd).