Meagre rewards!

31st August 2009 - overcast/rain by evening S3/4
Offshore
Morning observations on the ebbing tide (0815-0915) provided 35 Gannet, 6 Common Scoter, 3 Arctic Tern, 2 Razorbill and single Kittiwake and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by 2 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Egret and a Merlin were logged.

Chiffchaffs begin to move through

30th August 2009 - overcast then rain SW4/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0900) produced 80 Common Scoter, 35 Gannet, 21 Sandwich Tern, 6 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Wigeon, 2 Guillemot and single Fulmar and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A September feel was evident in today's grounded birds with 10 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin and single Willow Warbler and Song Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Greenshank and single Spotted Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was logged.

Seawatch provides variety

29th August 2009 - sunshine and showers SW4/3
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide (0715-0915) produced 100 Gannet, 45 Common Scoter, 15 Kittiwake, 14 Razorbill, 8 Sandwich Tern, 3 Fulmar, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Guillemot and single Common Tern and Storm Petrel.
Grounded Migrants
A White Wagtail was amongst 24 Pied Wagtail, otherwise limited to 5 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Egret and both Barn and Little Owl were logged.

Great Skua highlight

28th August 2009 - sunshine and showers SW4/5
Offshore
Observations (1300-1500) provided 80 Gannet, 25 Kittiwake, 6 Common Scoter, 3 Fulmar, 2 Sandwich Tern and single Manx Shearwater and Great Skua.
Miscellaneous
A single Little Egret was logged.

Whinchat leads grounded birds

27th August 2009 - bright start/rain by evening SW2/3/4/5
Offshore
Early morning produced 28 Gannet, 18 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake and a Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
After a period of inactivity some evidence of movement with 10 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Sightings included 6 Shoveler, 8 Greenshank and a Ruff.

Wet, wet, wet

26th August 2009 - rain SW4
Offshore
The rain finally relented to allow some early evening seawatching on the falling tide (1615-1715) before the weather again closed in. Sightings included 37 Gannet, 15 Sandwich Tern, 9 Manx Shearwater, 7 Common Scoter, 3 Fulmar, 2 Common Tern and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
A solitary Whimbrel was the only wader of note.

Still slow

25th August 2009 - early rain SW1
Offshore
Just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Manx Shearwater and Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
A paltry total of just one Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel and single Spotted Redshank and Ruff amongst good numbers of Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was logged and the evening saw at least 4 Barn Owl in the recording area.

Spotted Redshank newly arrived

24th August 2009 - bright and sunny SW1
Offshore
Large numbers of Common Scoter were on the move early morning (0615-0715) with 660 birds logged. Also seen were 20 Gannet, 7 Shelduck, 4 Sandwich Tern and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Another sprinkling of migrants included 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat and single Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff and Sedge Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A single Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Wigeon have reappeared and waders included a juvenile Spotted Redshank and a Ruff amongst 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Barn Owl, Merlin and Peregrine were all logged.

WeBS count takes precedence

23rd August 2009 - overcast/rain at times SSE4/5
Offshore
Just small numbers of Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Common Scoter and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining dire with just single Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Robin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The WeBS count produced totals of 2900 Oystercatcher, 1220 Redshank, 960 Curlew, 570 Dunlin, 375 Turnstone, 332 Ringed Plover, 152 Grey Plover, 82 Lapwing, 71 Sanderling, 25 Greenshank, 14 Whimbrel, 10 Golden Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff.

Great Skua steals the show

22nd August 2009 - sunny spells SW4/3/2/1
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) were led by a Great Skua with a supporting cast of small numbers of Sandwich Tern, Gannet and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Although a Cuckoo was logged grounded migrants remain thin on the ground with just 2 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel, 6 Greenshank and a Ruff.
Dragonflies
The first Migrant Hawker was on the wing.

Common Scoters on the move

21st August 2009 - sun and showers SW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 560 Common Scoter, 40 Gannet, 20 Sandwich Tern and small numbers of Fulmar and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 7 Shoveler were logged and a Ruff was amongst 10 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
Peregrine, Merlin and Barn Owl were all logged.

Gannets brave the rain

20th August 2009 - heavy rain turning to showers later S4/5
Offshore
Morning observations as the rain relented somewhat (1030-1130) produced 100 Gannet and small numbers of Manx Shearwater, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Solitary Willow Warbler and Wheatear were the only sightings.
Diurnal Migration
A couple of Sand Martin flew through as the rain relented.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 44 Grey Plover, 10 Whimbrel, 7 Golden Plover and a Greenshank.

Still slow going!

19th August 2009 - overcast/rain later S3
Offshore
Morning observations (0745-0845) were limited to 34 Sandwich Tern, 18 Gannet, 2 Little Tern, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Whitethroat and a Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 20 Swallow flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Whimbrel were the only waders of note logged.
Miscellaneous
The Barn Owl continues to linger.

Where are all the Willow Warblers?

18th August 2009 - overcast/showers SW2/3
Grounded Migrants
A further smattering of migrants included just 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 2 Wheatear and a Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was "out and about" early morning.

Arctic Skua finally provides some variety

17th August 2009 - sunny spells SW4/5
Offshore
Morning observations (0745-0845) produced 51 Gannet, 33 Manx Shearwater, 26 Common Scoter, 10 Kittiwake and single Arctic Tern and pale phase Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A few Willow Warbler were likely candidates for lingering birds.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was logged.

Still seawatching

16th August 2009 - sunny spells SW5
Offshore
Observations (0730-0830 & 1000-1100) provided more routine fare with totals of 170 Gannet, 51 Manx Shearwater, 11 Kittiwake, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern, 6 Fulmar and a Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Single Wheatear and Whitethroat were likely leftovers from previous days.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 900 Redshank contained 4 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

Seawatching conditions

15th August 2009 - overcast/rain soon SSW5/6
Offshore
The windy conditions (0730-0930) produced an increase in activity over the sea, however, only standard fare was on offer with 260 Manx Shearwater, 255 Gannet, 10 Common Scoter, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Fulmar and a single Sandwich Tern logged.

Yellow Wagtail headlines

14th August 2009 - overcast/rain at times SW2/3/4/5
Offshore
Totals from two periods of observations in deteriorating conditions (0615-0715 & 1330-1430)included 60 Gannet, 36 Sandwich Tern, 22 Manx Shearwater, 6 Common Scoter and 3 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Again just a smattering of grounded birds were seen with 10 Willow Warbler and single Yellow Wagtail, Whitethroat and Song Thrush logged.
Miscellaneous
The apparent Lanner x Saker remains and a Merlin was logged.

Further small-scale movement

13th August 2009 - bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
Just small numbers of Sandwich Tern and Gannet were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Some small-scale movement provided 15 Willow Warbler, 12 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Robin, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 40 Swallow were logged and a solitary Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 15 Greenshank, 9 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
An apparent Lanner x Saker was seen.

The mearest hint of migration

12th August 2009 - overcast then sunny spells SW3
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 84 Common Scoter, 42 Gannet, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of migration was provided by 20 Pied Wagtail, 10 Willow Warbler, 7 Wheatear and single Whitethroat, Blackcap and Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 14 Greenshank, 4 Grey Plover - still in resplendent summer dress - and 2 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper.
Butterflies
A total of 35 Wall Brown were logged.

First Spotted Flycatcher of the autumn

11th August 2009 - overcast, rain by evening SW1/2/3/4
Offshore
A little more activity than of late with observations (0615-0715) producing 100 Common Scoter, 73 Gannet, 20 Manx Shearwater, 16 Sandwich Tern, 5 Teal and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Although the first Spotted Flycatcher of the autumn was logged migrants remained thin on the ground with additional sightings limited to 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 7 Whimbrel flew through.

Still quiet

10th August 2009 - early rain, dry by evening SW2/3
Grounded Migrants
A dismal showing with just 2 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Teal numbers are beginning to build and waders included 34 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin hunted the post-breeding Starling flock.

Osprey saves the day

9th August 2009 - sunny spells S1/2
Offshore
The barren spell continues with early morning observations producing just 24 Common Scoter and 5 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Whitethroat and Willow Warbler continue to trickle through with 6 birds of each, also seen were 3 Sedge Warbler and 3 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
An Osprey drifted south over the island at 1330hrs.
Dragonflies
Sightings included 7 Brown Hawker and a single Black-tailed Skimmer.

Disappointingly quiet

8th August 2009 - sunny spells SW1/2
Offshore
Early morning (0715-0815) produced just 33 Common Scoter, 9 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gannet, 3 Manx Shearwater and a Great Crested Grebe.
Grounded Migrants
Scant fare with just 3 Whitethroat and 2 Willow Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
Again slim pickings with just 3 Swift and 2 Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 180 Sanderling, 100 Turnstone, 80 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 10 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A single Little Egret is now in residence.

First Garden Warbler amongst Whitethroat influx

7th August 2009 - sunny spells SW1
Grounded Migrants
An influx of Whitethroat saw 14 birds logged along with 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler and single Garden Warbler and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Three Sand Martin flew through amongst a small passage of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Greenshank was the only wader logged!

Migration begins to build

6th August 2009 - bright and sunny SW1/2
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of migrants suggests that southbound migration is beginning to kick in with 20 Willow Warbler, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Cuckoo and a Robin logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 60 Swallow congregated on wires before dispersing southwards through the morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 6 Whimbrel passed through.

Greenshank numbers begin to build

5th August 2009 - early shower then sunny S2
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo remains while a total of 5 Willow Warbler were logged and 3 Sedge Warbler and 2 Whitethroat were further candidates for movement.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Shoveler were seen and the pick of the waders were 14 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.

Yellow Wagtail brightens the day

4th August 2009 - early rain then showers SSE3/4
Offshore
Remaining ridiculously quiet over the sea early morning (0830-0930) with just small numbers of Gannet and Common Scoter moving.
Grounded Migrants
A Yellow Wagtail, an increasingly rare sight on the island these days, fed amongst a group of 10 Pied Wagtail. A couple of Whitethroat were the only other evidence of movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Whimbrel provided the only notable sighting.

Its oh so quiet

3rd August 2009 - bright start then showers SE3/4
Offshore
Morning sightings were limited to 25 Common Scoter and 6 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swift, Swallow and Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 5 Black-tailed Godwit were seen.

Migrant passerines begin to move

2nd August 2009 - bright and sunny SW3
Offshore
Quieter than of late over the sea (0830-0930) with just 29 Sandwich Tern, 10 Gannet and a single pale phase Arctic Skua logged.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of sightings included 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and a Cuckoo.

More of the same!

1st August 2009 - early rain clearing S3/4
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide (0845-1045) produced a single Storm Petrel along with 125 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 4 Arctic Tern and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few Willow Warbler were again in evidence.
Diurnal Migration
Four Swift flew through as the weather cleared.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 175 Dunlin, 12 Knot and 9 Black-tailed Godwit.