31st July 2012 – overcast SE2/3
Offshore
Just a few Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Single Willow Warbler and Whitethroat were the only evidence of movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 140 Dunlin, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Whimbrel.
Ringing
A total of 95 birds of 15 species was well down on last July with the poor breeding season evidenced by the striking absence of warblers. Last year provided 36 Sedge Warbler, 33 Willow Warbler and 23 Whitethroat – this month 3 Willow Warbler were all that was caught. Individual species totals were Greenfinch (37), Goldfinch (24), House Sparrow (9), Swallow (5), Blue Tit (4), Willow Warbler (3), Magpie (3), Dunnock (2), Blackcap (2), Woodpigeon (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Reed Bunting (1), Great Tit (1), Chaffinch (1) and Blackbird (1).
Moths
Small Wainscot was new for the year.
First Red-throated Diver of the autumn
28th July 2012 – sunny spells SW3/4
Offshore
The first Red-throated Diver of the autumn headed south and other sightings (0900-1000) included 32 Sandwich Tern, 23 Common Scoter, 15 Manx Shearwater, 13 Gannet and single Arctic Tern and Guillemot. A Great Skua was seen yesterday.
Grounded Migrants
A further hint of autumn was provided by single Wheatear, Willow Warbler and Cuckoo.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Moths
A four-dotted Footman and Golden Plusia were just the second island records. Migrants involved Silver Y and Dark Sword Grass while Flounced Rustic, Dunbar, Bordered Sallow and Crescent were new for the year.
Offshore
The first Red-throated Diver of the autumn headed south and other sightings (0900-1000) included 32 Sandwich Tern, 23 Common Scoter, 15 Manx Shearwater, 13 Gannet and single Arctic Tern and Guillemot. A Great Skua was seen yesterday.
Grounded Migrants
A further hint of autumn was provided by single Wheatear, Willow Warbler and Cuckoo.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Moths
A four-dotted Footman and Golden Plusia were just the second island records. Migrants involved Silver Y and Dark Sword Grass while Flounced Rustic, Dunbar, Bordered Sallow and Crescent were new for the year.
Marsh Harrier hunts the island
26th July 2012 – overcast/showers E1
Offshore
Just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 6 Swift flew through.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of autumn was provided by 6 Willow Warbler – including the first juveniles and single Chiffchaff and Cuckoo.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile Marsh Harrier spent the morning hunting over the island. Swallow numbers are beginning to build with 100 birds logged
Moths
The moth trap has finally come to life over the last few days and today produced 385 of 55 species with Large Yellow Underwing, Dark Arches and Garden Tiger dominating. Migrants involved a handful of Silver Y while newly emerged residents included Dingy Footman, Gothic, Crescent, Short-cloaked Moth and Dark Spectacle.
Offshore
Just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 6 Swift flew through.
Grounded Migrants
A hint of autumn was provided by 6 Willow Warbler – including the first juveniles and single Chiffchaff and Cuckoo.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile Marsh Harrier spent the morning hunting over the island. Swallow numbers are beginning to build with 100 birds logged
Moths
The moth trap has finally come to life over the last few days and today produced 385 of 55 species with Large Yellow Underwing, Dark Arches and Garden Tiger dominating. Migrants involved a handful of Silver Y while newly emerged residents included Dingy Footman, Gothic, Crescent, Short-cloaked Moth and Dark Spectacle.
WeBS comes round again!
23rd July 2012 – overcast S4/5
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930) produced 440 Common Scoter, 16 Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet and 10 Manx Shearwater.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Swift flew south over the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthly WeBS count produced 3146 Oystercatcher, 2118 Curlew, 568 Redshank, 192 Turnstone, 181 Eider, 88 Dunlin, 75 Lapwing, 39 Bar-tailed Godwit, 29 Whimbrel, 23 Grey Plover, 23 Golden Plover, 19 Sanderling, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Greenshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2 Little Egret and a Goosander.
Breeding Birds
The local Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler populations appear to have had a disastrous breeding season with very few young seen to date.
Moths
Migrants involved Dark Sword Grass and Silver Y while newly emerged residents include Bee Moth, Straw Underwing, Latticed Heath, Small Fan-footed Wave and Single-dotted Wave.
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930) produced 440 Common Scoter, 16 Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet and 10 Manx Shearwater.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Swift flew south over the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthly WeBS count produced 3146 Oystercatcher, 2118 Curlew, 568 Redshank, 192 Turnstone, 181 Eider, 88 Dunlin, 75 Lapwing, 39 Bar-tailed Godwit, 29 Whimbrel, 23 Grey Plover, 23 Golden Plover, 19 Sanderling, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Greenshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2 Little Egret and a Goosander.
Breeding Birds
The local Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler populations appear to have had a disastrous breeding season with very few young seen to date.
Moths
Migrants involved Dark Sword Grass and Silver Y while newly emerged residents include Bee Moth, Straw Underwing, Latticed Heath, Small Fan-footed Wave and Single-dotted Wave.
Manxie Day
18th July 2012 – overcast WSW3/4
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930) produced 150 Manx Shearwater, 90 Gannet, 76 Common Scoter, 15 Sandwich Tern, 7 Kittiwake, 6 Fulmar, 5 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Recent sightings include a juvenile Redstart and Blackcap and a handful of Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders include 25 Dunlin, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A late brood of 3 Lapwing were seen.
Moths
Swallow-tailed Moth, White-line Dart, Double Square-spot, Triple Spotted Clay, Common Emerald, Grass Emerald, Gold Spot, Drinker, Antler, Southern Wainscot and Smoky Wainscot have all now emerged.
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930) produced 150 Manx Shearwater, 90 Gannet, 76 Common Scoter, 15 Sandwich Tern, 7 Kittiwake, 6 Fulmar, 5 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Recent sightings include a juvenile Redstart and Blackcap and a handful of Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders include 25 Dunlin, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A late brood of 3 Lapwing were seen.
Moths
Swallow-tailed Moth, White-line Dart, Double Square-spot, Triple Spotted Clay, Common Emerald, Grass Emerald, Gold Spot, Drinker, Antler, Southern Wainscot and Smoky Wainscot have all now emerged.
Tystie
7th July 2012 – sunny spells SE1
Offshore
A Black Guillemot, 5 Common Tern and 2 Little Tern were the pick of the offshore sightings.
Grounded Migrants
A Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler were perhaps beginning to head south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Shoveler has returned and waders included 2000 Oystercatcher and 20 Dunlin, 19 Grey Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper amongst 70 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
The first Little Egret has returned to the island.
Breeding Birds
Three broods of Shelduck have been seen.
Offshore
A Black Guillemot, 5 Common Tern and 2 Little Tern were the pick of the offshore sightings.
Grounded Migrants
A Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler were perhaps beginning to head south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Shoveler has returned and waders included 2000 Oystercatcher and 20 Dunlin, 19 Grey Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper amongst 70 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
The first Little Egret has returned to the island.
Breeding Birds
Three broods of Shelduck have been seen.
Waders begin to build
2nd July 2012 – rain at times SSE2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea provided just small numbers of Gannet and Manx Shearwater.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Grey Plover and a Greenshank amongst 465 Curlew.
Miscellaneous
Post-breeding flocks of finches are already starting to develop with 100 Linnet logged.
Breeding Birds
It appears to be yet another poor breeding season for the local Eider population with very few young seen.
Offshore
A check over the sea provided just small numbers of Gannet and Manx Shearwater.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Grey Plover and a Greenshank amongst 465 Curlew.
Miscellaneous
Post-breeding flocks of finches are already starting to develop with 100 Linnet logged.
Breeding Birds
It appears to be yet another poor breeding season for the local Eider population with very few young seen.
Scoters head south
1st July 2012 – rain at times SW5
Offshore
Observations through the morning (0600-0930) produced 320 Common Scoter, 140 Gannet, 135 Manx Shearwater, 14 Common Tern, 7 Fulmar, 6 Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 10 Black-tailed Godwit was the only other record of note.
Offshore
Observations through the morning (0600-0930) produced 320 Common Scoter, 140 Gannet, 135 Manx Shearwater, 14 Common Tern, 7 Fulmar, 6 Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 10 Black-tailed Godwit was the only other record of note.
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