31st July 2011 – overcast at times SW1/2
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced small numbers of Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Kittiwake and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of grounded birds involved 35 Pied Wagtail, 17 Whitethroat, 13 Willow Warbler, 9 Sedge Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap and single Grey Wagtail, Cuckoo, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Stonechat.
Diurnal Migration
A couple of Swift flew through and 180 Swallow and 3 Sand Martin congregated on wires early morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Little Stint remains amongst a small flock of Dunlin and other waders included 15 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Three Raven and a Peregrine were also logged.
Ringing
Amongst this months birds was the 10,000th Willow Warbler ringed on the island by the observatory once the main staple of annual totals, always appearing at the top of the species list, recent years has seen a dramatic fall in the numbers caught each year and the species often now fails to make the top five.
Another excellent ringing total for the month with 332 of 23 species ringed – this is an especially pleasing total considering that the site is heavily reliant on post-breeding dispersal and early southbound migrants. Although an above average number of adult Willow Warbler were ringed during the month, suggesting a poor breeding season, the monthly total for both Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler exceeded the 2010 annual total for both these species emphasising that at least some of the warblers have had a successful breeding season.Individual species totals involved Greenfinch (53), House Sparrow (44), Goldfinch (40), Sedge Warbler (36), Willow Warbler (33), Starling (26), Whitethroat (23), Swallow (20), Dunnock (9), Blackbird (9), Linnet (8), Great Black-backed Gull (7), Reed Bunting (4), Blue Tit (4), Chaffinch (3), Blackcap (3), Great Tit (3), Garden Warbler (2), Pied Wagtail (1), Woodpigeon (1), Redstart (1), Spotted Flycatcher (1) and Stonechat (1).
Moths
Shaded Broad-bar was new for the year.
Images
Juvenile male Redstart.
28th July 2011 – bright start?light rain soon WNW2
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern were noted.
Grounded Migrants
Three Garden Warbler and 2 Spotted Flycatcher were amongst a handful of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Little Stint amongst 4 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were the pick of the waders.
Moths
The moth traps produced another varied selection with 67 species identified. Highlights involved the first island record for Catoptria falsella and the first Willow Beauty and Dotted Clay of the year.
Images
Little Stint and Catoptria falsella.
27th July 2011 – bright and sunny V1
Offshore
Another quick check over the sea early morning before the heat haze kicked in produced a feeding group of 54 Gannet, 30 Sandwich Tern and 7 Little Tern while 3 Common Scoter flew past.
Grounded Migrants
Two Cuckoo and a Lesser Whitethroat were amongst another trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Common Sandpiper was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Swallow numbers are now beginning to congregate with 100 birds logged
Moths
The moth traps produced a varied selection with 70 species identified. Highlights involved first island records for Agapeta zoegana and Small China Mark, the first Silky Wainscot for 25 years, Chilo phragmitella – the first for 10 years and the first Yellow-tail of the year. Immigrants involved 7 Dark Swordgrass and 2 Silver Y.
Images
Agapeta zoegana, Chilo phragmitella, Small China Mark and Silky Wainscot.
26th July 2011 – sunny spells V1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced a feeding group of 65 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 4 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Wheatear was amongst the now daily trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A Yellow Wagtail was the pick of today’s sightings.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 lingering Whimbrel were again the best of the waders logged.
Moths
Gold Spangle and Magpie were new for the year.
24th July 2011 – bright and sunny NW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) produced 72 Common Scoter and 52 Gannet along with small numbers of Kitiwake and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo continues to linger and a Lesser Whitethroat was amongst 6 Willow Warbler and 9 Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Whimbrel were the best of the waders.
Moths
An influx of immigrant moths saw 26 Dark Swordgrass and 2 Silver Y logged.
23rd July 2011 – bright and sunny NW1/2/3
Offshore
Just a few Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Two Blackcap and a Wheatear were logged amongst a further trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat. The Cuckoo remains.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included at least 10 Greenshank and the first Snipe of the autumn.
Moths
Fen Wainscot and Buff Arches new for the year.
Images
Puss Moth caterpillar.
22nd July 2011 – overcast /light rain E1
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0830) produced 144 Common Scoter along with small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo remains and a Wheatear was amongst 9 Willow Warbler and 5 Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to trickle south.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl were seen.
Moths
Ruby Tiger and Rosy Rustic were new for the year.
20th July 2011 – overcast NW2
Offshore
Early morning observations produced just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded migrants were led by single Cuckoo and Blackcap amongst the now seemingly inevitable trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat – July is the new August!
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl were seen.
Moths
Ear Moth (sp) was new for the year.
19th July 2011 – overcast WNW2/3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0800) were led by 2 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skua and a Great Skua all moving out of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 55 Common Scoter and small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded overnight migrants involved 12 Willow Warbler and 14 Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow were noted flying south over the sea early morning.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was along the eastern shore.
Dragonflies
Rather neglected of late but Emperor, Brown Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter and Common Blue Damselfly are now all on the wing .
18th July 2011 – rain/heavy at times/drier later WNW6/5/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-1030) were hampered by driving rain limiting visibility but produced single Great Skua and Storm Petrel amongst small numbers of Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Common Scoter, Sandwich Tern and Arctic Tern. A drier slot in the weather (1430-1530) produced another Storm Petrel along with 110 Manx Shearwater, 24 Gannet, 4 Sandwich Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, 2 Guillemot and a Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthly WeBS count was somewhat hampered by the prevailing weather conditions but the first waders are now beginning to return from their northern breeding grounds with 636 Oystercatcher, 601 Redshank, 464 Curlew, 148 Dunlin, 144 Knot, 74 Grey Plover, 34 Turnstone and 12 Sanderling amongst sightings recorded.
Breeding Birds
Sedge Warbler and Whitethoat seem to have had a successful breeding season on the island.
Butterflies
The first Grayling and Gatekeeper are now on the wing.
17th July 2011 –rain WNWW3/4
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930 & 1115-1515) produced totals of 383 Manx Shearwater, 124 Gannet, 65 Sandwich Tern, 26 Common Scoter, 6 Little Tern, 3 Kittiwake and single Arctic Tern, Arctic Skua and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A single Willow Warbler was the only evidence of grounded birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 18 Greenshank and 8 Black-tailed Godwit.
Moths
A Crescent was new for the year.
16th July 2011 – early rain then sunny spells SW3/4
Offshore
Observations off the maritime shore on the falling tide (1430-1615) produced 295 Manx Shearwater, 153 Sandwich Tern, 95 Gannet, 5 Guillemot, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Arctic Tern. In addition, 66 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Tern, 2 Arctic Tern and single Common Tern were along the eastern shore at high tide.
Grounded Migrants
A single Willow Warbler was the only evidence of grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Swift flew through as the rain cleared.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 130 Knot, 45 Grey Plover, 12 Sanderling and 7 Whimbrel.
Images
Sandwich Tern roost.
15th July 2011 – overcast then sunny SW1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0700) produced 72 Common Scoter, 10 Gannet, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The steady southbound trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat continues with ringing activities showing that many of the Willow Warblers moving through are adult females whereas the Whitehroats are mainly juvenile birds.
Diurnal Migration
Several Sand Martin and Swift were logged.
Moths
Small Rivulet, Barred Rivulet, Dingy Footman and Latticed Heath were all new for the year.
14th July 2011 – bright and sunny W1/2
Offshore
A flock of 60 Sandwich Tern roosted over the tide.
Grounded Migrants
The steady southbound trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat continues.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of House Martin, Sand Martin and Swift flew through.
Miscellaneous
A leveret was exceptionally confiding.
Moths
The Olive was new for the year.
Images
Leveret.
13th July 2011 – bright and sunny NE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap was amongst another sprinkling of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Miscellaneous
Both Little Owl and Barn Owl continue to show through the day.
Moths
Straw Underwing and Lesser Yellow Underwing were new attractions for the year to the moth trap overnight.
12th July 2011 – bright and sunny NW2
Offshore
Early morning observations provided 20 Gannet, 4 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A further trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat was evident.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift and Sand Martin continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A couple of Whimbrel were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The first Little Egret of the autumn appeared along the island’s eastern shore.
Moths
Bird Cherry Ermine, Chevron, Peach Blossom and Shore Wainscot were all less that annual species attracted to the moth trap overnight.
Images
Bird Cherry Ermine, Peach Blossom and Shore Wainscot.
11th July 2011 – bright and sunny NW2
Offshore
Early morning observations provided 3 Little Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Several Willow Warbler and Whitethroat were the sole candidates for newly arrived birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 3 Greenshank remained amongst 80 Redshank.
Breeding Birds
The large Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull colony on the south end of the island appears to have had another disastrous breeding season with very few young surviving to fledging for the third successive year.
Miscellaneous
The first Little Egret of the autumn appeared along the island’s eastern shore.
Moths
Immigrants involved Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Rusty-dot Pearl, Dark Swordgrass and Silver Y while recent attractions include Barred Rivulet, Fan-foot, Least Yellow Underwing, Twin-spot Carpet and Southern Wainscot – all new for the year.
10th July 2011 – sunny spells W1/2
Offshore
Just small numbers of Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
A male Black Redstart stole the show while the supporting cast included 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Whitethroat and a Redstart.
Grounded Migrants
Small numbers of Swift and Sand Martin were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 36 Grey Plover – many in summer plumage, small numbers of Knot and Dunlin along with 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Ringing
Controls of birds ringed elsewhere are unusual and two on the same day exceptional so a British ringed Sedge Warbler and a German ringed Willow Warbler were especially pleasing.
Moths
A Dark Swordgrass was the only migrant to visit the moth trap overnight.
7th July 2011 – early heavy showers then sunny spells S3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0645-0750 & 0815-0915) produced totals of 410 Common Scoter, 21 Manx Shearwater and 18 Gannet..
Grounded Migrants
A Whitethroat was the sole candidate for a newly arrived bird.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 26 Black-tailed Godwit flew through.
Moths
A much reduced catch on recent days with Archer’s Dart the highlight.
6th July 2011 – early heavy showers then sunny spells SW3
Grounded Migrants
Just 2 Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat provided evidence of further movement.
Diurnal Migration
Four Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Greenshank numbers remain high with 12 birds logged.
Moths
Another good overnight catch with 429 moths of 83 species identified, amongst which Small Mottled Willow, Scalloped Oak, Bee Moth, Timothy Tortrix and Swallow-tailed Moth were new for the year while the perhaps overlooked micro Celypha cespitana was the first for 25 years.
Images
Swallow-tailed Moth,Celypha cespitana and Small Mottled Willow.
5th July 2011 – overcast rain at times SE3/4
Offshore
Just small numbers of Gannet, Manx Shearwater and Guillemot were recorded early morning.
Diurnal Migration
A further 5 Swift moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Greenshank numbers continue to build with 16 birds logged.
Moths
Another excellent haul with 512 moths of 75 species identified, amongst which were Triple-spotted Clay.
4th July 2011 – warm and sunny E2
Grounded Migrants
A further 4 Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
The first evidence of some concerted movement early morning was provided by a total of 40 Swift and 20 Sand Martin heading south.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 6 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper remain.
Moths
An excellent catch with 352 moths of 65 species identified, amongst which were Barred Yellow, Double Lobed, Clay, Dark Spectacle, July Highflyer, Double Square Spot and Short-cloaked Moth – all new for the year.
Images
Double Lobed and Barred Yellow – both scarce visitors to the moth trap.
3rd July 2011 – warm and sunny SW1/2
Offshore
A feeding party of 20 Gannet and a single southbound Red-throated Diver were present early morning.
Grounded Migrants
The exceptionally early southbound movement of adult Willow Warbler continues with 8 birds logged along with single Blackcap and Redstart
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Swift flew through.
2nd July 2011 – bright and sunny SW1/2
Grounded Migrants
A further trickle of summer migrants produced 5 Willow Warbler and a Redstart.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 8 Sand Martin headed purposefully south and a solitary Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Common Sandpiper and 6 Greenshank were amongst 36 Redshank.
Moths
A V Pug and Sandy Carpet were both new for the year.
1st July 2011 – bright and sunny W2
Offshore
Just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Arctic Tern and Guillemot were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
The first Great Spotted Woodpecker of the autumn was perhaps the result of post-breeding dispersal rather than migration, however, the trickle of Willow Warbler continues with four birds logged
Wildfowl and Waders
The Black-tailed Godwit remains and the first Common Sandpiper of the autumn was newly arrived.
Moths
A Peppered Moth was a less than annual visitant to the moth trap.
Images
Peppered Moth.
