Waders continue to return

30th June 2017 – overcast NW3
Offshore
A scan over the sea revealed a feeding flock of 220 Sandwich Tern and 11 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders continue to return with the latest sightings involving 37 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper.
Moths
A total of 330 moths were trapped overnight. Immigrants involved 10 Silver Y and 7 Dark Swordgrass while residents included Crescent Striped and Archer’s Dart.
Ringing
The usual quiet mid-year month with 91 birds of 15 species handled, generally involving local breeding birds. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets): Starling 24, House Sparrow 13 (1), Goldfinch 9 (2), Blackbird 9 (1), Greenfinch 6 (4), Sedge Warbler 5, Dunnock 5 (1), Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 1, Blue Tit 1, Whitethroat 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Woodpigeon (2), Meadow Pipit (1), and Reed Bunting (1).

Waders already begin to return

25th June 2017 – overcast WNW3/4
Offshore
Quieter over the sea with only 150 Sandwich Tern, 43 Common Scoter, 6 Gannet, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Arctic Tern and 2 Little Tern logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders continue to build with 1000 Oystercatcher, 915 Curlew, 165 Redshank, 60 Lapwing, 20 Grey Plover, 11 Golden Plover, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel and a Greenshank recorded.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine and 2 Little Egret were the best of the rest.
Moths
An early Southern Wainscot was on the wing.

More seabirds

24th June 2017 – overcast SW4
Offshore
Observations over the tide produced 840 Sandwich Tern, 400 Manx Shearwater, 200 Gannet, 19 Guillemot, 16 Common Scoter, 9 Kittiwake, 8 Little Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 3 Razorbill and single Great Skua and Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders are already beginning to return with 650 Curlew, 140 Redshank, 40 Grey Plover and 9 Bar-tailed Godwit logged.

Seabirds

23rd June 2017 – early rain then overcast SW5/6
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide revealed 315 Sandwich Tern, 90 Manx Shearwater, 70 Gannet, 30 Guillemot, 6 Common Scoter and 2 Fulmar.

Hummingbird

22nd June 2017 – overcast WNW3/4
Offshore
An evening scan over the sea produced 50 Sandwich Tern, 12 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet, 2 Little Tern and a Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
There are now 2 Greenshank back in residence.
Moths
A Hummingbird Hawkmoth graced the moth trap along with the first Broad-barred White for over 30 years. Newly emerged residents included Archer’s Dart.

Satin Wave

18th June 2017 – warm and sunny SE1
Offshore
Morning observations on the falling tide (0730-0830) provided 180 Sandwich Tern, 87 Common Scoter, 7 Gannet and 6 Manx Shearwater.
Wildfowl and Waders
The single Greenshank remains.
Moths
A Satin Wave was the first island record while recently emerged residents included Riband Wave, Barred Straw, Knot Grass, Burnished Brass and Thistle Ermine.

Day flying owls and moths

17th June 2017 – misty start then warm and sunny SW2/3
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide (0730-0830) produced 125 Sandwich Tern, 105 Common Scoter, 51 Gannet, 8 Manx Shearwater and 5 Kittiwake.
Miscellaneous
A day flying Barn Owl was mobbed by a Jay.
Moths
Day flying moths included Six-spot Burnet, Narrow-bordered five-spot Burnet and Burnet Companion.

Sallow Kitten

16th June 2017 – overcast SW2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea (1215-1315) produced 210 Sandwich Tern, 20 Common Scoter, 17 Gannet and 8 Manx Shearwater.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 500 Knot continue to linger.
Moths
A Sallow Kitten was the first record for 20 years.

Spoonbill

14th June 2017 – overcast/humid/SE1
Rarities
A Spoonbill put in a brief appearance.
Offshore
A single scan of the sea revealed 100 Common Scoter and 10 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A female Willow Warbler complete with brood patch suggested early southbound movement of a failed breeder.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first returning Greenshank was amongst 10 Redshank.
Moths
Pearly Underwing, Solver Y and Rusty Dot Pearl are immigrants attracted to the moth trap in recent days.

More seabirds

12th June 2017 – overcast WSW V5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (1520-1720) produced 410 Sandwich Tern, 102 Gannet, 54 Common Scoter, 30 Guillemot, 23 Manx Shearwater, 16 Kittiwake, 2 Little Tern, 2 Arctic Tern and a Fulmar .
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.

Arctic Skuas

11th June 2017 – overcast SSW5/6/7
Offshore
A morning check of the sea (0730-0930) produced 235 Manx Shearwater, 170 Sandwich Tern, 75 Gannet, 35 Common Scoter, 23 Guillemot, 9 Kittiwake and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least one Whimbrel remained amongst 8 Bar-tailed Godwit.

Canada Goose influx

10th June 2017 – rain SSE3/4
Grounded Migrants
A Chiffchaff provided further evidence of some late movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl were few but included a Canada Goose influx with 83 birds logged. Waders included 5 Whimbrel amongst 2938 Oystercatcher, 755 Knot, 330 Sanderling, 288 Curlew along with 92 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 16 Grey Plover, 16 Turnstone and 10 Bar-tailed Godwit
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Little Egret remain in residence.

Puffin

4th June 2017 – sunny spells S2/3
Offshore
Morning observations over the sea over the high tide (0800-0900) were highlighted by a single Puffin. Also seen were 250 Sandwich Tern, 100 Manx Shearwater, 55 Gannet, 34 Guillemot, 11 Kittiwake, 2 Fulmar, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Tern.
Moths
The only immigrant attracted overnight was a Silver Y, however, local specialities included White Colon and Sand Dart.

Still some evidence of movement

3rd June 2017 – bright and sunny S1/2/3
Grounded Migrants
A Chiffchaff provided evidence of some late movement.
Diurnal Migration
A few House Martin and a late Lesser Redpoll continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Sanderling and 700 Knot.
Breeding Birds
At least 3 territorial Reed Warbler are now on the island.

Serin Surprise

1st June 2017 – sunny spells S1/2
Rarities
A female Serin was in the observatory garden early evening, calling and showing well at times.
Offshore
A quick check of the sea revealed 15 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet and 5 Little Tern.
Moths
Immigrants involved 3 Silver Y and a Dark Swordgrass.