8th May 2026 – overcast NW2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 40 Sandwich Tern, 38 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet, 19 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Shag and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 2 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Two Redpoll were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Ringing
Surprise of the day involved a Chiffchaff bearing a Spanish ring – details awaited.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held a Waved Umber.
7th May 2026 – overcast SE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0745) produced 200 Sandwich Tern, 44 Common Scoter, 24 Gannet, 7 Guillemot, 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Puffin, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 3 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and around 30 territorial Lesser Whitethroat are on the island.
Butterflies and Moths
Painted Lady and Red Admiral continue to be recorded.
5th May 2026 – overcast NW2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 250 Common Scoter, 17 Guillemot, 16 Gannet, 8 Shag and a Red-throated Diver. In addition, the Common Scoter flock in the mouth of the bay held at least 3000 birds.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 2 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Painted Lady and Red Admiral continue to be recorded.
4th May 2026 – overcast E1
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) provided 3250 Common Scoter, 50 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 14 Shag, 14 Guillemot, 2 Velvet Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 5 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler and single Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler – the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Swallows continue to trickle flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 68 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
A Short-tailed Vole was pursued by a Weasel.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrant butterflies involved 30 Red Admiral and 26 Painted Lady and 3 Small Mottled Willow were in the moth trap.
3rd May 2026 – overcast/rain clearing NE1/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) produced 52 Sandwich Tern, 20 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Guillemot and a Manx Shearwater. In addition, the Common Scoter flock in the mouth of the bay held at least two Velvet Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by the first Cuckoo of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included Shoveler while waders included 67 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap was dominated by Brown Silver Line while Green Carpet, Least Black Arches and Rustic Shoulder Knot were new for the year. Additionally, and unusually for the time of the year, a total of four Small Mottled Willow were attracted overnight.
2nd May 2026 – overcast SW2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided 170 Sandwich Tern, 91 Common Scoter, 75 Gannet, 56 Guillemot, 14 Red-throated Diver, 6 Manx Shearwater, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Puffin, 2 Kittiwake and single Arctic Tern and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Single Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher were amongst 11 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Swallows continue to trickle flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
1st May 2026 – bright and sunny/rain later NE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea provided 220 Common Scoter, 140 Sandwich Tern, 36 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 4 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shag, 2 Gadwall and single Manx Shearwater and Velvet Scoter. In addition, flocks of 3000 Eider and 1000 Common Scoter were in the mouth of the bay.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 8 Wheatear and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Four Redpoll and a Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler continue to linger while waders included 27 Whimbrel and single Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat are now well distributed across the island, however Whitethroat are only thinly spread.
Butterflies and Moths
Highlight in the light trap was a Rush Veneer.
29th April 2026 – bright and sunny ENE4/6/8
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 32 Sandwich Tern, 28 Guillemot, 15 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 7 Little Tern and a Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 2 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler while waders included 9 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Several Red Admiral were seen.
28th April 2026 – sunny spells NE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) revealed 35 Sandwich Tern, 34 Guillemot, 18 Common Scoter, 16 Little Tern, 15 Gannet, 7 Shag, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Arctic Tern and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Very quiet, limited to 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and single Blackcap and Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held the first Sandy Carpet of the year and a Dark Swordgrass was logged.
