Garganey and Hooded Crow

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.

First Teal return

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.

Mediterranean Gull and Puffins

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.

Common Cranes

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.

Garganey remains

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.

A sad day

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.

Wood Sandpiper

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.

Seabirds yet again!

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.

Spotted Flycatcher

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.