18th October 2017 – bright start/overcast later, E1 then ESE2 later
Offshore
A short scan over the sea revealed a solitary Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 12 Redwing 5 Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush while a single Chiffchaff was amongst 15 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Although reduced on recent autumns today provided the best movement of the year so far with: 1400 Jackdaw, 1320 Pink-footed Goose, 560 Skylark, 380 Meadow Pipit, 280 Linnet, 165 Starling, 58 Tree Sparrow, 50 Chaffinch, 44 alba Wagtail, 43 Whooper Swan, 40 Greenfinch, 30 Reed Bunting, 16 Carrion Crow, 11 Lesser Redpoll, 7 Swallow, 7 Grey Wagtail, 4 Brambling, 3 Rook, 3 Siskin and 2 Rock Pipit logged.
Miscellaneous
Both Barn Owl and Little Owl were out hunting at dawn while 10 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven and a Jay were the best of the rest.
Moths
Immigrants involved Silver Y and Vestal while Satellite was new for the year.
Leach’s Petrels
17th October 2017 – overcast/early showers clearing SW6/7 then WSW5/6 later
Offshore
With Ophelia producing winds of up to 67 mph on the island overnight all eyes turned to the stormy sea early morning (0830-1030hrs). However, despite much effort 3 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Razorbill and single Manx Shearwater and Kittiwake were all that could be mustered. A second watch as the wind subsided and the sea abated (1430-1730hrs) was more successful with 5 Leach’s Petrel logged (1505-1615hrs), however additional sightings remained sparse with just 6 Kittiwake, 6 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver logged.
Grounded Migrants
Two Goldcrest appeared to be newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The ECHA Light-bellied Brent Goose census located 161 pale-bellied amongst 800 Wigeon and 82 Shelduck.
Offshore
With Ophelia producing winds of up to 67 mph on the island overnight all eyes turned to the stormy sea early morning (0830-1030hrs). However, despite much effort 3 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Razorbill and single Manx Shearwater and Kittiwake were all that could be mustered. A second watch as the wind subsided and the sea abated (1430-1730hrs) was more successful with 5 Leach’s Petrel logged (1505-1615hrs), however additional sightings remained sparse with just 6 Kittiwake, 6 Common Scoter, 6 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver logged.
Grounded Migrants
Two Goldcrest appeared to be newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The ECHA Light-bellied Brent Goose census located 161 pale-bellied amongst 800 Wigeon and 82 Shelduck.
Ophelia gloom arrives
16th October 2017 – overcast/rain soon/clearing later ENE4 becoming S5/6/7 later
Offshore
A check of the sea once the crepuscular gloom created by the Saharan sand and Iberian smoke gathered up by Ophelia had cleared (1015-1115) produced 50 Common Scoter, 17 Razorbill, 6 Shag, 5 Gannet, 3 Guillemot and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Redwing while single Blackcap and Goldcrest were newly arrived.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 215 Pink-footed Geese moved through ahead of the gloom and a Rock Pipit was amongst small numbers of Meadow Pipit and alba Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain and 11 Shoveler are now present.
Moths
A Dark Chestnut was new for the year.
Offshore
A check of the sea once the crepuscular gloom created by the Saharan sand and Iberian smoke gathered up by Ophelia had cleared (1015-1115) produced 50 Common Scoter, 17 Razorbill, 6 Shag, 5 Gannet, 3 Guillemot and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Redwing while single Blackcap and Goldcrest were newly arrived.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 215 Pink-footed Geese moved through ahead of the gloom and a Rock Pipit was amongst small numbers of Meadow Pipit and alba Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain and 11 Shoveler are now present.
Moths
A Dark Chestnut was new for the year.
First Brambling of the autumn
15th October 2017 – overcast SSE2 then SSW3
Offshore
A quick check of the sea revealed 5 Shag and small numbers of Common Scoter and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 4 Redwing while 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were also newly arrived.
Diurnal Migration
There was evidence of small-scale movement with 65 Meadow Pipit, 50 Skylark, 50 Chaffinch, 35 Jackdaw, 22 alba Wagtail, 10 Greenfinch, 3 Swallow, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Lesser Redpoll and a Grey Wagtail recorded, along with the first Brambling of the autumn.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall and 10 Shoveler remain and waders included 23 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Three Merlin were seen.
Moths
A Pearly Underwing was new for the year.
Offshore
A quick check of the sea revealed 5 Shag and small numbers of Common Scoter and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 4 Redwing while 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were also newly arrived.
Diurnal Migration
There was evidence of small-scale movement with 65 Meadow Pipit, 50 Skylark, 50 Chaffinch, 35 Jackdaw, 22 alba Wagtail, 10 Greenfinch, 3 Swallow, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Lesser Redpoll and a Grey Wagtail recorded, along with the first Brambling of the autumn.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall and 10 Shoveler remain and waders included 23 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Three Merlin were seen.
Moths
A Pearly Underwing was new for the year.
A few more seabirds
14th October 2017 – drizzle/mist/fog SW4/5
Offshore
Dawn broke to a reveal another windswept and rain soaked day on the island, however, observations as the mist and murk began to clear (1100-1200) produced 63 Razorbill, 52 Kittiwake, 26 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 3 Manx Shearwater and a Red-throated Diver
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 11 Long-tailed Tit were the best of the rest.
Offshore
Dawn broke to a reveal another windswept and rain soaked day on the island, however, observations as the mist and murk began to clear (1100-1200) produced 63 Razorbill, 52 Kittiwake, 26 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 3 Manx Shearwater and a Red-throated Diver
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 11 Long-tailed Tit were the best of the rest.
A few seabirds
13th October 2017 – overcast/rain at times SSW4/5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations prior to the rain (0830-0900) produced 42 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin were logged.
Offshore
Early morning observations prior to the rain (0830-0900) produced 42 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin were logged.
Passerines remain scarce
12th October 2017 – overcast WSW6/5/4/3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0900) produced 135 Razorbill, 80 Gannet, 52 Common Scoter, 7 Kittiwake and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Once again limited to a few Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Few birds were on the move with just 20 Jackdaw and 5 alba Wagtail logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain amongst 10 Shoveler and waders included 21 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A total of 63 Little Egret were seen.
Dragonflies
A Migrant Hawker and 2 Common Darter are still on the wing.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0900) produced 135 Razorbill, 80 Gannet, 52 Common Scoter, 7 Kittiwake and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Once again limited to a few Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Few birds were on the move with just 20 Jackdaw and 5 alba Wagtail logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Gadwall remain amongst 10 Shoveler and waders included 21 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A total of 63 Little Egret were seen.
Dragonflies
A Migrant Hawker and 2 Common Darter are still on the wing.
Great and Arctic Skuas
10th October 2017 – overcast/brighter later WSW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0900) produced a varied selection including: 136 Common Scoter, 110 Razorbill, 54 Gannet, 8 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver and single Shag, Great Skua and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a few Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Four Pink-footed Geese were amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The redhead Goosander remained and a pair of Gadwall were newly arrived amongst 10 Shoveler. Waders included 3000 Oystercatcher, 400 Turnstone and 12 Greenshank .
Miscellaneous
Raptors involved Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine and Merlin and 80 Little Egret are now present along the eastern shore.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0900) produced a varied selection including: 136 Common Scoter, 110 Razorbill, 54 Gannet, 8 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver and single Shag, Great Skua and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a few Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Four Pink-footed Geese were amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The redhead Goosander remained and a pair of Gadwall were newly arrived amongst 10 Shoveler. Waders included 3000 Oystercatcher, 400 Turnstone and 12 Greenshank .
Miscellaneous
Raptors involved Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Peregrine and Merlin and 80 Little Egret are now present along the eastern shore.
Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper
9th October 2017 – overcast/drizzle at times W1/SW2 later
Offshore
A short evening watch (1700-1730) produced low numbers of Common Scoter, Gannet, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The first 4 Redwing of the autumn were grounded early morning. Also seen were 17 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff and 4 Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
Again just small-scale movement was evident with 100 Meadow Pipit, 26 Chaffinch, 20 alba Wagtail, 10 Tree Sparrow, 10 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was recorded while waders included 1400 Redshank, 440 Turnstone, 23 Greenshank and single Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin was again the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Dragonflies
Several Red Admiral and Migrant Hawker are still on the wing.
Offshore
A short evening watch (1700-1730) produced low numbers of Common Scoter, Gannet, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The first 4 Redwing of the autumn were grounded early morning. Also seen were 17 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff and 4 Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
Again just small-scale movement was evident with 100 Meadow Pipit, 26 Chaffinch, 20 alba Wagtail, 10 Tree Sparrow, 10 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was recorded while waders included 1400 Redshank, 440 Turnstone, 23 Greenshank and single Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin was again the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Dragonflies
Several Red Admiral and Migrant Hawker are still on the wing.
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