Pink-footed Geese move through

15th September 2018 – overcast/showers S1/2
Grounded Migrants
With some respite in the weather overnight a few grounded migrants were in evidence with 17 Wheatear, 10 Robin, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 White Wagtail, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Whitethroat and single Willow Warbler and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
Dawn broke to lightest winds for a while and consequently a few birds were on the move with 1000 Meadow Pipit, 90 Pink-footed Goose, 85 Skylark, 50 Linnet, 40 Swallow, 35 Swallow, 12 Grey Wagtail, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting and a Siskin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 11 Greenshank were amongst 1000 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey were much in evidence with 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine and a Merlin all competing for the same air space.

Ruff remains in residence

14th September 2018 – overcast/showers SW4/5
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide produced 200 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 6 Red-throated Diver, 6 Shelduck, 4 Pintail and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A few more grounded birds than of late with 12 White Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear and single Spotted Flycatcher and Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A single Grey Wagtail was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Ruff remains in residence.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.
Moths
Square-spot Rustic dominated the overnight moth attraction which included the first Lunar Underwing of the year.

First Brent Geese arrive back from Canada

13th September 2018 – overcast SW4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (1530-1730) produced 35 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 4 Manx Shearwater, 4 Gannet, 3 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot, 2 Kittiwake and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Single Grey Wagtail and Wheatear were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese have now returned.

Ruff arrives

10th September 2018 – overcast/rain by evening SW4
Offshore
The sea provided 61 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 4 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Manx Shearwater and Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 100 Grey Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and single Ruff, Greenshank and Whimbrel.
Grounded Migrants
A single Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were the only birds to trouble the log.
Miscellaneous
Merlin and Peregrine were seen.

Skuas

9th September 2018 – early rain then heavy showers SW4/5
Offshore
Conditions dictated that the sea dominated the days sightings with 200 Common Scoter, 111 Gannet, 22 Razorbill, 13 Fulmar, 9 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver, 4 Manx Shearwater, 2 Great Skua and an Arctic Skua logged between showers (0800-1100hrs).
Grounded Migrants
A single Whinchat was amongst 8 Stonechat.

Wildfowl begin to increase

8th September 2018 – overcast/rain SW2
Offshore
Observations yielded 172 Common Scoter, 11 Sandwich Tern and 7 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A single Whinchat was all that could be mustered.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl numbers begin to build with 231 Wigeon, 191 Teal and 3 Shoveler recorded. Waders included 2215 Redshank, 305 Turnstone, 16 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel
Miscellaneous
An adult Mediterranean Gull was amongst 145 Black-headed Gull and a least 30 Little Egret were present.
Moths
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing was new for the year.

Quiet day

7th September 2018 – heavy showers NW4/5
Offshore
The sea revealed 45 Sandwich Tern, 41 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Arctic Tern and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Just a single Grey Wagtail was logged.

Yellow Wagtail

2nd September 2018 – overcast SSE3
Offshore
Morning observations produced 48 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet, 19 Manx Shearwater, 14 Sandwich Tern, 11 Wigeon, 6 Teal and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Still at a premium with just 3 Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and single Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
Single Yellow Wagtail and House Martin wre amongst 50 Meadow Pipit and 50 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Black-tailed Godwit were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Marsh Harrier

1st September 2018 – overcast/light showers ENE3
Offshore
Little change over the sea with 320 Sandwich Tern, 3 Gannet and a Shag logged.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds remained at a premium with only 3 Wheatear, 3 Robin, 2 Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
Noticeably quieter than yesterday with 190 Meadow Pipit, 64 Swallow, 27 Pied Wagtail, 14 Linnet, 5 Grey Wagtail and 4 House Martin seen.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile Marsh Harrier emerged from its overnight roost to hunt over the island. Additional raptors included 2 Merlin while 3 Rook were unusual.