4th March 2026 – sunny spells SE32
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 17 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Diver and 5 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
The first Chiffchaff of the year was logged along with 3 Stonechat.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 160 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 441 light-bellied birds and waders included 600 Golden Plover, 350 Redshank, 300 Dunlin, 300 Knot – the latter species has been unusually scarce this winter and 11 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Three Water Pipit and 40 Twite were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held a Common Quaker – the first of the year.
1st March 2026 – overcast/showers later SSE3/5
Notices
The 2025 WBO Report has now been published and is now available for £8.00 including postage and packing.
28th February 2026 – overcast/rain soon/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced 130 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Diver, 12 Red-breasted Merganser and a Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 82 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 40 Twite were logged.
Moths
The light trap held single Mottled Grey and Dotted Border.
27th February 2026 – sunny spells NW1
Offshore
A check of the sea (0730-0830) produced 43 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
An impressive total of 67 Stonechat was logged as the island’s wintering birds were bolstered by a large influx of passage birds.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 6 Stock Dove flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Tufted Ducks of the year were logged and waders included 3 Greenshank and 2 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains while 2 Water Rail and a Short-eared Owl were the best of the rest.
25th February 2026 – overcast/mizzle at times SSE3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0730-0830) produced 30 Common Scoter, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver and single Pochard, Great Northern Diver and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Further hints of spring were provided by 4 Stonechat and 2 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 35 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
21st February 2026 – overcast/murky/rain later SW2/4
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 18 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and the first Gannet of the year.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 21 Woodpigeon and 4 Pied Wagtail suggested that the first hints of spring are underway.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 2 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Three Water Pipit were amongst 15 Rock Pipit and single Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Curlew had previously been ringed at Ynyshir on the Dyfi Estuary in Wales on 8th October 2021.
17th February 2026 – bright and frosty N1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 23 Shag, 9 Red-throated Diver and 3 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 109 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Counts included 2,450 Oystercatcher, 1,237 Dunlin, 1,096 Redshank, 807 Curlew, 717 Wigeon, 654 Teal, 195 Shelduck, 165 Grey Plover, 140 Lapwing, 100 Golden Plover, 97 Turnstone, 96 Ringed Plover, 82 Pintail, 46 Snipe, 34 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.
14th February 2026 – bright and frosty/calm
Offshore
An adult Mediterranean Gull was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 100 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Single Marsh Harrier and Merlin were the best of the rest.
7th February 2026 – sunny spells E2/3
Wildfowl and Waders
Geese included 81 light-bellied Brent Goose, 64 Pink-footed Goose, 35 Russian White-fronted Goose, 44 Canada Goose, 10 Barnacle Goose, 2 Greylag Goose and a dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Mammals
An Otter was seen.
