28th September 2026 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 10 Shag and single Red-throated Diver and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Although a Cetti’s Warbler was newly arrived, birds were rather thin on the ground in the conditions with just 6 Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals 180 Linnet, 180 Skylark, 100 Meadow Pipit, 44 Chaffinch, 25 Carrion Crow, 23 Jackdaw, 22 Pied Wagtail, 20 Swallow, 7 Grey Wagtail and single House Martin and Siskin were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 280 Teal and a Coot – the latter an island rarity these days!
Miscellaneous
Raptors included 2 Merlin and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Mainly seabirds
27th September 2026 – overcast/rain at times SE4/7
Offshore
A couple of checks of the sea revealed 214 Razorbill, 210 Gannet, 125 Common Scoter, 64 Wigeon, 49 Kittiwake, 16 Guillemot, 10 Shag and 9 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Only 100 Meadow Pipit, 95 Pink-footed Goose and a Grey Wagrail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Knot.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Offshore
A couple of checks of the sea revealed 214 Razorbill, 210 Gannet, 125 Common Scoter, 64 Wigeon, 49 Kittiwake, 16 Guillemot, 10 Shag and 9 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Only 100 Meadow Pipit, 95 Pink-footed Goose and a Grey Wagrail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Knot.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Wildfowl begin to increase
26th September 2026 – sun and showers SW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0745-0845) revealed 90 Common Scoter, 89 Kittiwake, 63 Gannet, 10 Shag, 8 Red-throated Diver, 6 Guillemot, 2 Arctic Skua and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded migrants were limited to single Chiffchaff and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 50 Meadow Pipit, 15 Skylark, 7 Pied Wagtail, 4 Swallow and 2 Grey Wagtail were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of Brent Geese has increased to 220 light-bellied birds while 160 Wigeon, 120 Teal and 95 Pintail were also logged. Waders included 44 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Good numbers of Little Egret were along the eastern shore with 92 birds seen over the tide. A check of the island’s “woodland” added 12 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap while a Merlin and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0745-0845) revealed 90 Common Scoter, 89 Kittiwake, 63 Gannet, 10 Shag, 8 Red-throated Diver, 6 Guillemot, 2 Arctic Skua and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded migrants were limited to single Chiffchaff and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 50 Meadow Pipit, 15 Skylark, 7 Pied Wagtail, 4 Swallow and 2 Grey Wagtail were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of Brent Geese has increased to 220 light-bellied birds while 160 Wigeon, 120 Teal and 95 Pintail were also logged. Waders included 44 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Good numbers of Little Egret were along the eastern shore with 92 birds seen over the tide. A check of the island’s “woodland” added 12 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap while a Merlin and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
A quieter day
25th September 2026 – overcast/showers NW2/4
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 74 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 17 Robin and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 220 Meadow Pipit, 29 Pied Wagtail, 6 Grey Wagtail, 5 Chaffinch and 3 Swallow moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 85 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 74 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 17 Robin and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 220 Meadow Pipit, 29 Pied Wagtail, 6 Grey Wagtail, 5 Chaffinch and 3 Swallow moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 85 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.
Spectacular diurnal migration
24th September 2026 – bright and sunny ESE3
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 22 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Rather thin on the ground in the conditions with just 8 Robin, 4 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and single Whitethroat and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
A spectacular diurnal passage continued throughout the morning involving totals of 3280 Meadow Pipit, 700 Skylark, 440 Linnet, 345 Pink-footed Goose, 145 Swallow, 43 Pied Wagtail, 34 Goldfinch, 16 Grey Wagtail, 15 House Martin, 9 Chaffinch, 6 Woodpigeon, 4 Jay and a Stock Dove.
Miscellaneous
Raptors included 2 Marsh Harrier and single Short-eared Owl and Merlin while the Hooded Crow remains.
Dragonflies
A Red-veined Darter and several Migrant Hawker were still on the wing.
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 22 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Rather thin on the ground in the conditions with just 8 Robin, 4 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and single Whitethroat and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
A spectacular diurnal passage continued throughout the morning involving totals of 3280 Meadow Pipit, 700 Skylark, 440 Linnet, 345 Pink-footed Goose, 145 Swallow, 43 Pied Wagtail, 34 Goldfinch, 16 Grey Wagtail, 15 House Martin, 9 Chaffinch, 6 Woodpigeon, 4 Jay and a Stock Dove.
Miscellaneous
Raptors included 2 Marsh Harrier and single Short-eared Owl and Merlin while the Hooded Crow remains.
Dragonflies
A Red-veined Darter and several Migrant Hawker were still on the wing.
More migration hints
22nd September 2026 – overcast/murk/mizzle/calm
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 15 Robin, 4 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 130 Meadow Pipit, 65 Swallow, 10 Skylark and 9 Grey Wagtail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 11 Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 2 Raven were seen.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 15 Robin, 4 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 130 Meadow Pipit, 65 Swallow, 10 Skylark and 9 Grey Wagtail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 11 Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 2 Raven were seen.
Migration hints before the drizzle set in
21st September 2026 – overcast then drizzle S2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) produced 166 Common Scoter, 18 Shag, 3 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 12 Robin, 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 400 Meadow Pipit, 60 Skylark, 3 Swallow and 2 Grey Wagtail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Knot and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail were logged and a Peregrine was seen.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) produced 166 Common Scoter, 18 Shag, 3 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 12 Robin, 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 400 Meadow Pipit, 60 Skylark, 3 Swallow and 2 Grey Wagtail moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Knot and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail were logged and a Peregrine was seen.
Leach’s Petrels and Great Skua
19th September 2026 – sunny spells W4/6
Offshore
Extended observations over the sea revealed 600 Common Scoter, 27 Red-throated Diver, 11 Gannet, 9 Razorbill, 7 Sandwich Tern, 5 Leach’s Petrel, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Manx Shearwater and single Guillemot and Great Skua.
Offshore
Extended observations over the sea revealed 600 Common Scoter, 27 Red-throated Diver, 11 Gannet, 9 Razorbill, 7 Sandwich Tern, 5 Leach’s Petrel, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Manx Shearwater and single Guillemot and Great Skua.
Quiet seas and skies
18th September 2026 – sun and showers WSW3/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0900) produced 179 Common Scoter, 10 Shag, 7 Guillemot, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Razorbill, 3 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Newly arrived birds involved 3 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0900) produced 179 Common Scoter, 10 Shag, 7 Guillemot, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Razorbill, 3 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Newly arrived birds involved 3 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
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