A few seabirds

30th June 2016 – overcast/rain later SW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (1515-1645) produced 100 Sandwich Tern, 20 Gannet, 15 Manx Shearwater and 3 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and waders
Waders included 1500 Knot.
Ringing
A reasonable month for the time of the year saw 130 birds of 11 species handled. The totals were dominated by dispersing post-breeding Starlings; however, individuals species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets). Starling 78 (3), Goldfinch 11 (13), Dunnock 5 (2), House Sparrow 5, Greenfinch 3 (3), Blackcap 2, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Chaffinch 1 and Linnet (1).

Evening Seabirds

27th June 2016 sun and showers SW3/4
Offshore
The evening tide produced 65 Manx Shearwater, 52 Sandwich Tern, 35 Gannet, 9 Arctic Tern, 6 Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot, 2 Fulmar and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Knot, 12 Grey Plover and 5 Dunlin.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret continue to linger.

Waders begin to return

26th June 2016 – overcast/rain later W3
Offshore
A morning check of the sea (0800-0900) revealed 245 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 5 Guillemot and a Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and waders
Waders included 28 Redshank and single Greenshank, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper.
Moths
A total of 391 moths of 67 species were attracted to the moth trap overnight. Totals were led by 80 Dark Arches and 38 White Satin while new for the year included Garden Tiger, Drinker and Burnished Brass. Immigrants were represented by Silver Y and more Diamond-back Moths

Moth provides the highlight

24th June 2016 – sunny spells SW2
Offshore
A quick check of the sea (1215-1245) produced 50 Manx Shearwater, 5 Gannet and 3 Sandwich Tern.
Wildfowl and waders
Waders included 2450 Knot.
Breeding Birds
The first Shelducklings have finally emerged.
Moths
A total of 43 species were attracted to the moth trap overnight. An Obscure Wainscot would appear to be the first island record while new for the year included Garden Tiger, Drinker and Burnished Brass.
Images
Obscure Wainscot.

Moth specialities

22nd June 2016 – sunny spells SW2/3
Offshore
A evening glance over the sea produced a few Gannet and Sandwich Tern fishing offshore.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 1000 Knot were logged.
Moths
The Diamond-back influx seems to have dispersed. Recent additions to the year list include Flame Carpet and Burnished Brass while local specialities include Crescent striped, Sand Dart and Archer’s Dart.

Puffins and Manx Shearwaters

19th June 2016 – overcast/rain later SW2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0700-0900) was highlighted by five Puffin, also seen were 650 Manx Shearwater, 155 Common Scoter, 83 Gannet, 62 Sandwich Tern, 21 Guillemot, 10 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill and single Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern and Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Another Blackcap was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Knot and the first returning Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
Two female Eider escorted a crèche of 20 ducklings.
Moths
The light trap attracted 412 moths of 59 species amongst which were examples of Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Common Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot and Shore Wainscot.

Pomarine Skua brace

18th June 2016 – sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) were highlighted by two light phase Pomarine Skua. Also seen were 60 Common Scoter, 41 Gannet, 38 Manx Shearwater, 26 Sandwich Tern, 6 Guillemot, 6 Little Tern and 2 Common Tern – the latter the first of the year.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap was logged.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Egret and Little Owl were the best of the rest.
Moths
Recent additions to the island list involve Lime Hawkmoth, Yellow-barred Brindle, May Highflyer and Matilella fusca.
Images
Lime Hawkmoth, Yellow-barred Brindle, May Highflyer and Matilella fusca.

The sea provides the main interest

12h June 2016 – sunny spells V1
Offshore
More activity over the sea than of late with the falling tide (0800-0900) producing 300 Manx Shearwater, 80 Common Scoter, 31 Gannet, 11 Guillemot, 9 Kittiwake, 8 Sandwich Tern and a Razorbill logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift and Swallow were over the sea.
Moths
A total of 410 moths of 67 species were attracted overnight with 83 Heart and Dart the prominent species. However, the highlight involved a Yellow-barred Brindle – the first island record Shore Wainscot and Snout were new for the year and several Sand Dart were also logged.

First Greenshank return

11th June 2016 – early rain then overcast V1
Offshore
A few Arctic Tern fed close inshore on the falling tide.
Grounded Migrants
The Reed Warbler remains and an early returning Cuckoo was recorded.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift were overhead.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first two Greenshank have returned.
Moths
The number of moths attracted to the light trap overnight continue to build with 402 moths of 76 species recorded. New for the year were Archer’s Dart, Pebble Prominent, Mullein Wave and Clouded Border.

Gadwall remains

10th June 2016 – early rain then sunny spells
Offshore
Small numbers of Gannet, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern and Little Tern again fed offshore.
Grounded Migrants
Single Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Gadwall remains and waders roosting over the tide included 3000 Knot and 300 Sanderling.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret continue to linger.
Moths
The light trap attracted 357 moths of 64 species with Treble Bar, Small Rivulet and Dark Arches new for the year. Immigrants involved 6 Diamond-back.

Long-tailed Duck reappears

8th June 2016 – misty/murky V1
Wildfowl and waders
The female Long-tailed Duck again roosted amongst the Eiders over the high tide. A drake Gadwall was newly arrived.
Breeding Birds
The first Tufted Duck chicks have emerged.
Moths
A total of 322 moths of 59 species were attracted to the light trap overnight. However, immigrants were much reduced with just 3 Diamond-back and a Silver Y logged, while Gold Spot, White Satin, Light Arches and Timothy Totrix were new for the year.

Diamond-back Moth influx continues

6th June 2016 – hot and sunny V1
Grounded Migrants
A Reed Warbler was newly arrived and a Chaffinch was unexpected.
Wildfowl and Waders
Teal numbers increased.
Moths
Diamond-back dominated the number of moths attracted to the light trap overnight with 140 individuals logged amongst 320 moths of 63 species. New for the year included Common Wave, Riband Wave and Eyed Hawkmoth.

First Teal return

5th June 2016 – bright and sunny, calm
Offshore
Small numbers of Gannet, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern and Little Tern fed offshore.
Grounded Migrants
A Wheatear was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first few Teal have already returned and waders included 1000 Knot and 300 Sanderling.
Breeding Birds
The first Eiderling have now emerged and a pair of Raven have bred successfully in the recording area.
Butterflies and Moths
The first wave of Painted Ladies have arrived with at least 10 individuals logged. Moths included Thistle Ermine, Bee Moth and Pale-shouldered Brocade.
Dragonflies
The first Emperor Dragonflies have now emerged.

Iceland Gull surprise

4th June 2016 – overcast/bright and sunny later, calm
Rarities
June is perhaps not the time to look for an Iceland Gull amongst the hordes of gulls on the island, nevertheless, a third-summer bird performed admirably over the high tide.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin flew through
Moths
The light trap saw 288 moths of 55 species attracted overnight and following the influx into southern England a total of 40 Diamond-backed Moth were recorded with many more “in the field”.