18th June 2025 – bright and sunny WNW1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) provided 170 Sandwich Tern, 120 Common Scoter, 25 Manx Shearwater, 7 Gannet, 2 Puffin, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Wigeon reappeared.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Plants
A few Bee Orchid are now in bloom.
17th June 2025 – overcast/rain soon
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) produced 93 Manx Sheerwater, 80 Sandwich Tern, 74 Common Scoter, 49 Gannet, 8 Guillemot, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Razorbill, 2 Puffin and a Kittiwake.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 106 moths of 45 species with Dark Arches the dominant species and White Satin, Drinker, Common Emerald and Single-dotted Wave were new for the year.
Miscellaneous
Post-breeding flocks of Starling have now developed.
16th June 2025 – bright and sunny SW1/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 220 Common Scoter, 130 Sandwich Tern, 84 Manx Shearwater, 26 Gannet, 7 Guillemot and a Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Garganey and 2 Teal remain. The first Redshank have returned although a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A pod of 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphin was offshore.
Dragonflies
The first Emperor Dragonflies of the year were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Meadow Brown and Ringlet are now on the wing.
15th June 2025 – sunny spells WSW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) provided 165 Manx Shearwater, 50 Sandwich Tern, 40 Gannet, 38 Common Scoter, 10 Arctic Tern and a Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Garganey and Teal remain.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Insects
A Leaf-cutter Bee was tentatively identified as Megachile willughbiella.
13th June 2025 – sunny spells S4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) produced 355 Common Scoter, 39 Sandwich Tern, 32 Manx Shearwater, 27 Canada Goose and 2 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Garganey reappeared and the first 2 Teal have returned while the light-bellied Brent Goose continues to linger.
Butterflies and Moths
Another small influx of Red Admiral was noted and the light trap held 106 moths of 38 species – with Flame Shoulder the dominant species while Mottled Beauty and Snout were new for the year.
12th June 2025 – hazy sun E4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0815) provided 280 Sandwich Tern, 212 Common Scoter, 60 Manx Shearwater, 41 Gannet, 13 Canada Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, 2 Puffin and a Mediterranean Gull.
Wildfowl and Waders
The light-bellied Brent Goose remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A small influx of Red Admiral was noted.
11th June 2025 – bright and sunny ESE2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) produced 340 Common Scoter, 59 Sandwich Tern, 32 Manx Shearwater, 14 Canada Goose, 6 Greylag Goose and single Puffin and Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
The light-bellied Brent Goose continues to linger.
Miscellaneous
A flight of 4 Common Cranes dropped in briefly late morning.
10th June 2025 – sunny spells WNW4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) provided 14 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Scoter, 3 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Tern and single Puffin and Shag. In addition, a flock of 1000+ Common Scoter were still over the mouth of the bay.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Garganey remains.
Dragonflies
The Broad-bodied Chaser remains.
9th June 2025 – overcast/rain later WSW3/4
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Garganey was the first of the year while lingering waders and wildfowl included 3 Whimbrel and a light-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 128 moths of 25 species – with Large Yellow Underwing the dominant species while Obscure Wainscot was new for the year.
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Keith Parkes. A long-standing member of the observatory and Secretary since the 1960’s Keith was also a part time Treasurer and a member of the ringing team, his commitment to the observatory will be truly missed.
8th June 2025 – overcast/showers W3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) revealed 56 Common Scoter, 37 Sandwich Tern, 17 Guillemot, 16 Gannet, 5 Manx Shearwater, 2 Kittiwake and an Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 170 Sanderling were seen along with the first Wood Sandpiper of the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
7th June 2025 – overcast/rain soon W2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 63 Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, 30 Sandwich Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 5 Arctic Skua, 4 Manx Shearwater, 2 Shag and a Kittiwake.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 174 moths of 40 species – with Large Yellow Underwing the dominant species while Clay, Barred Straw and Satin Wave were new for the year.
6th June 2025 – early rain then sunny spells W2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 53 Sandwich Tern, 36 Gannet, 29 Common Scoter, 5 Manx Shearwater and a Puffin.
Diurnal Migration
A Spotted Flycatcher was new.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 174 moths of 40 species – with Large Yellow Underwing the dominant species while Clay, Barred Straw and Satin Wave were new for the year.
5th June 2025 – overcast/rain soon SW1/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0515-0715) revealed 145 Sandwich Tern, 81 Common Scoter, 22 Gannet, 6 Manx Shearwater, 5 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and single Common Tern and Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 120 Sanderling were seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
4th June 2025 – sun and showers WSW4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0915) revealed 400 Manx Shearwater, 131 Kittiwake, 57 Sandwich Tern, 50 Gannet, 26 Guillemot, 18 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar and single Arctic Tern, Arctic Skua and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was newly arrived.
3rd June 2025 – rain clearing to sunny spells WSW4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 100 Manx Shearwater, 53 Gannet, 37 Sandwich Tern, 23 Guillemot, 14 Kittiwake, 14 Razorbill, 14 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Fulmar.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.
1st June 2025 – sun and showers SW4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) revealed 120 Common Scoter, 50 Manx Shearwater, 24 Sandwich Tern, 22 Kittiwake, 10 Gannet, 5 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 2 Shag and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A Chiffchaff was newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Wigeon remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore and a Weasel was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 205 moths of 47 species – with Large Yellow Underwing the dominant species while Dark Spectacle, Straw Dot and Buff Ermine were new for the year.
