A few more seabirds

25th September 2016 – sun and showers S4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations on the falling tide (0800-0900) produced 214 Common Scoter, 80 Razorbill, 37 Gannet, 15 Guillemot, 6 Kittiwake, 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Arctic Skua and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Much the same as yesterday with only 3 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear recorded.

A few seabirds

24th September 2016 – overcast SSE 4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations on the falling tide (0815-0915) produced 76 Common Scoter, 68 Gannet, 10 Red-throated Diver, 4 Razorbill, 3 Guillemot and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Only 3 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were recorded.

Little of note

23rd September 2016 – sunny spells SE 3/4
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Wheatear and single Whitethroat and Goldcrest.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 3 Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
A Lunar Underwing was new for the year.

Wigeon influx

22nd September 2016 – sunny spells WSW 3/4
Wildfowl and Waders
An overnight influx of Wigeon was apparent with 1000 birds logged.
Grounded Migrants
The dearth of grounded migrants continues with just a solitary Chiffchaff logged.

Waders galore

21st September 2016 – overcast SSE3/4
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included: 6940 Oystercatcher, 3800 Knot, 2750 Curlew, 2550 Redshank, 718 Turnstone, 433 Lapwing, 320 Golden Plover, 29 Greenshank and 2 Curlew Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The gradual increase in the number of Little Egret scattered across the island continues with 56 birds logged.

Curlew Sandpipers remain

20th September 2016 – bright and sunny WNW1/2
Grounded Migrants
Little on offer with just 3 Wheatear and single Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Garden Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 250 Meadow Pipit was the only record of note.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Curlew Sandpiper continue to linger.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Merlin were seen.

Water Rail

18th September 2016 – overcast S2/3
Grounded Migrants
Variety continues to be the order of the day with 20 Robin, 6 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and a Whitethroat recorded.
Diurnal Migration
Morning totals were somewhat subdued from yesterday with 510 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 14 alba Wagtail, 12 Jackdaw, 7 Grey Wagtail and a Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wigeon numbers showed a notable increase with 220 birds logged while waders included 2500 Knot, 1250 Redshank, 300 Turnstone, 21 Greenshank and single Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint .
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the first of the autumn.

First Pink-footed Geese of the autumn

17th September 2016 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
A handful of Gannet were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Again variety rather than quantity 20 Robin, 12 Wheatear, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat and single Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
Morning totals involved the first 18 Pink-footed Geese of the autumn along with 300 Meadow Pipit, 40 Swallow, 30 Skylark, 20 Grey Wagtail, 10 Linnet, 10 alba Wagtail, 3 Siskin, 2 Tree Pipit and single Sand Martin and Lesser Redpoll.
Miscellaneous
Raptors included 2 Merlin and a Peregrine.

Pied Flycatcher

15th September 2016 – overcast then sunny
Grounded Migrants
Variety rather than quantity with 14 Robin, 8 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler and single Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher logged.
Diurnal Migration
Morning totals involved 200 Meadow Pipit, 75 Swallow, 40 Jackdaw, 33 Skylark, 10 alba Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail and unusually a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 330 Turnstone, 27 Greenshank, 5 Curlew Sandpiper and single Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets remain prominent and a single Raven was the best of the rest.

Another Osprey

11th September 2016 – bright and sunny S3/4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea (0730-0830) provided 101 Common Scoter, 6 Gannet, 6 Sandwich Tern and single Red-throated Diver and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A quieter day with just 5 White Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrest recorded.
Diurnal Migration
There was a trickle of 55 alba Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipit and 4 Grey Wagtail through the course of the morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
An Osprey roosted atop one of the island’s telegraph poles and was seen to be a colour-ringed bird of Scottish origin.

A few more birds

10th September 2016 – sunny spells W1
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea revealed just 25 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A few more birds than of late with totals of 10 Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest and single Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat logged.
Diurnal Migration
The skies were also busier with 130 Meadow Pipit, 27 Grey Wagtail, 15 Swallow, 14 alba Wagtail and 2 Tree Pipit moving through during the course of the morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and single Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff.

First Pintail of the autumn

8th September 2016 – rain then sunny spells SW3/4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed just small numbers of Common Scoter, Gannet and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A desperate month so far for grounded migrants was evidenced by just a single Chiffchaff being logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and Sand Martin were in evidence.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Ruff continues to linger and the first Pintail of the autumn has arrived.

Osprey flies through

6th September 2016 sunny spells SSW2
Grounded Migrants
Still little on offer with just single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow was evident and an Osprey headed south over the island at 1520hrs.
Miscellaneous
A Tawny Owl was an unusual island record - although it may well have been the escapee first seen several years ago.

Another quiet day

5th September 2016 – early drizzle then overcast SE2/1
Offshore
An evening check over the sea revealed little other than handful of Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the seemingly better weather conditions only a paltry 3 Goldcrest and single Blackcap and Whitethroat were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Greenshank and a Ruff was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Raptors were prominent with 3 Merlin and single Peregrine, Kestel and Sparrowhawk logged.
Moths
Immigrants involved Rust Dot Pearl and Silver Y.

Just a hint of movement

4th September 2016 sunny spells WNW4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) produced 207 Common Scoter, 31 Gannet, 6 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake and single Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining sparse with just 2 Wheatear, 2 Goldcrest and single Whitethroat and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A hint of movement produced 30 Swallow, 10 Meadow Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtail and 3 Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Curlew Sandpiper remains in residence.

Rain stops play

3rd September 2016 – overcast/rain soon SE3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) produced 217 Common Scoter, 24 Gannet, 3 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and single Fulmar and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Wheatear and single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Three Grey Wagtail flew over prior to the rain setting in.
Moths
Feathered Gothic was new for the year.

First Red-throated Diver of the autumn

2nd September 2016 – sunny spells, SW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea over the tide (1230-1330) produced the first Red-throated Diver of the autumn along with 30 Gannet, 18 Manx Shearwater, 10 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Razorbill and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Still thin on the ground with just 3 Wheatear and single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Curlew Sandpiper remains along with 9 Greenshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret numbers remain high and a Little Owl was recorded.
Moths
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing was new for the year .

Arctic Skuas

1st September 2016 – sunny spells, rain by evening SW2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide revealed 19 Gannet, 10 Common Scoter, 9 Sandwich Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Shag and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded migrants remain at a premium with just 8 Wheatear, 6 Robin, 4 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
Three Grey Wagtail and single Tree Sparrow and Sand Martin were amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Redshank, 365 Turnstone, 12 Greenshank, 2 Ruff and single Black-tailed Godwit and Curlew Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Single Peregrine, Little Owl and Raven were the best of the rest.

Quiet end to the month

31st August 2016 – early rain the sunny spells WSW3/4
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 3 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Several Sand Martin were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders include single Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff.
Moths
A Red Underwing was the pick of a small catch.
Ringing
A total of 146 birds of 21 species were handled during the month with the total dominated by Willow Warbler and House Sparrow Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets) Willow Warbler 47, House Sparrow 46 (1), Robin 12, Goldfinch 9 (1), Greenfinch 7 (2), Redstart 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Bunting 2, Goldcrest 2, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Linnet 1, Garden Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Wren 1, Starling 1, Dunnock 1, Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 1 (1) and Woodpigeon (1) .