28th June 2014 – overcast SE2
Offshore
Morning observations produced 43 Common Scoter, 10 Manx Shearwater, 5 Gannet, 5 Arctic Tern and a solitary Sandwich Tern
Grounded Migrants
A Treecreeper was a less than annual visitant to the the island.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 3 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains in residence and an adult Wood Sandpiper provided the highlight of the day.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was hunting in the middle of the day and the family party of Raven continue to tour the island.
Moths
A total of 492 moths of 53 species were attracted to the light trap overnight with sightings dominated by 320 White Satin. However, True Lover’s Knot and Shore Wainscot were new for the year.
Images
Shore Wainscot.
27th June 2014 – overcast SE2
Offshore
Only a handful of Gannet, Manx Shearwater and Common Socter were on the move early morning.
Grounded Migrants
The female Black Redstart was reportedly still present.
Diurnal Migration
A flock 100 Swift moved ahead of an early evening weather front.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains in residence and the first south bound Common Sandpiper have returned.
Miscellaneous
The first Little Egret has also returned to the island’s saltmarshes.
25th June 2014 – overcast/early rain SE1/2
Offshore
Morning observations provided little other than a few Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A female Black Redstart was a surprise, however, there appears to be an increasing trend for the appearance of this species on the island during the summer months.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains in residence and the first few Dunlin are beginning to return.
Moths
Attractions to the light trap included Drinker, Garden Tiger, Elephant Hawkmoth and Peach Blossom. However, a Double Dart was the pick of sighting being just the second island record.
24th June 2014 – bright and sunny NW2/3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0615-0715) provided 155 Manx Shearwater, 30 Common Scoter, 15 Gannet, 14 Kittiwake, 12 Guillemot and 7 Sandwich Tern.
Overhead
A flock of 23 Swift flew through during the evening.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains and three broods of Tufted Duck have now emerged.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was hunting at dusk.
Moths
A total of 254 moths of 60 species were attracted to the moth trap overnight with 161 White Satin the dominate species. Recently emerged are Thistle Ermine, Triple Spotted Clay and a local speciality Crescent Striped.
22nd June 2014 – bright and sunny NW1
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) provided 15 Manx Shearwater, 14 Guillemot, 14 Common Scoter and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Single Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler suggested that return passage may have begun.
Overhead
A few Swift were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains.
Breeding Birds
Two broods of Tufted Duck were newly emerged while two Water Rail were in suitable breeding habitat.
21st June 2014 – bright and sunny NW3
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) provided 45 Guillemot, 32 Common Scoter, 22 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater, 6 Sandwich Tern, 5 Little Tern, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Razorbill.
Overhead
A few Swallow continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains.
Moths
Newly emerged species included Barred Straw, Archer’s Dart and Dot Moth.
20th June 2014 – bright and sunny NW3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0615-0715) were highlighted by 4 Puffin amongst 40 Common Scoter, 20 Gannet, 8 Manx Shearwater, 5 Guillemot, 3 Kittiwake and a Sandwich Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains.
15th June 2014 – overcast NW2
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) produced 40 Gannet, 30 Common Scoter, 10 Little Tern, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Tern and single Kittiwake and Black Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Pintail remains and waders included 350 Curlew, 180 Knot and 30 Grey Plover.
Breeding Birds
The first Shelducklings have emerged and a family party of 5 Raven was logged.
Moths
Migrants in the light trap involved 2 Silver Y and The Gem – the latter the first seen on the island for 15 years.
Images
The Gem.
14th June 2014 – bright and sunny NW2
Offshore
Early morning (0615-0715) provided 60 Manx Shearwater, 40 Common Scoter, 21 Arctic Tern, 20 Guillemot, 12 Sandwich Tern, 10 Little Tern, 6 Kittiwake and an Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Pintail was logged and waders included the first returning Greenshank and Golden Plover while the summering flock of Bar-tailed Godwit held 110 birds.
Moths
Newly emerged species included White Satin, Buff Ermine, Peach Blossom, Riband Wave and Flame Carpet .
10th June 2014 – sunny spells NE1
Offshore
Observations through the course of the day provided 177 Manx Shearwater, 106 Sandwich Tern, 49 Gannet, 31 Little Tern, 12 Kittiwake, 12 Common Scoter, 12 Guillemot, 8 Arctic Tern and single Puffin and Arctic Skua.
Moths
A total of 60 species were in the light trap with Gold Spot, Thistle Ermine, Barred Straw, Snout, Buff Ermine, Bee Moth, Riband Wave and Chilo phragmitella all new for the year.
Mammals
A Badger family have been seen.
9th June 2014 – rain at times SE2/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0645-0800) provided 103 Manx Shearwater, 15 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Kittiwake and an Arctic Skua.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 12 Swift hawking over the island was the largest gathering recorded so far this year.
Moths
Dark Spectacle, Dark Arches and Brown China Mark were new for the year.
Mammals
A Weasel scampered across the road in front on oncoming traffic.
8th June 2014 – bright and sunny SE2/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) provided 71 Gannet, 60 Manx Shearwater, 36 Common Scoter, 11 Kittiwake, 10 Razorbill, 7 Guillemot, 6 Sandwich Tern and 3 Teal.
Diurnal Migration
House Martin continue to move through in small numbers.
Wildfowl and Waders
A summering flock of 114 Bar-tailed Godwit was logged.
Moths
Small Clouded Brindle was new for the year in the light trap.
Cetaceans
A pod of 6 Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore early morning.
7th June 2014 – overcast rain soon SE2/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) produced 50 Gannet, 22 Common Scoter, 6 Manx Shearwater, 2 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 70 Sanderling and a Turnstone.
Moths
Middle-barred Minor, Eyed Hawkmoth and Pale-shouldered Brocade were new for the year while an aberrant White Ermine was an oddity.
Images
Aberrant White Ermine.
6th June 2014 – bright and sunny SE1
Offshore
Early morning observations (0615-0715) were notable for a passage of Manx Shearwater with 310 birds logged. Additional sightings included 100 Common Scoter, 10 Gannet, 10 Guillemot and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Three late Wheatear were seen.
Breeding Birds
The first Eiderlings have now emerged and the first juvenile Stonechats have fledged.
Moths
Shoulder-striped Wainscot and Dark Brocade were new for the year while Psychoides filicivora was identified as a new species for the island.
Images
Psychoides filicivora.
31st May 2014 – sunny spells N1/2
Offshore
The sea provided 21 Common Scoter, 15 Gannet, 8 Arctic Tern, 6 Little Tern, 4 Sandwich Tern and a Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Swift continue to move through.
Grounded Migrants
A single Wheatear was all that could be mustered.
Ringing
A total of 224 birds of 17 species were trapped during May. Individual species totals were as follows: figures in brackets refer to retraps. Starling 65 (1), Willow Warbler (19), Goldfinch 14 (75), Sedge Warbler 5, Chiffchaff 5, Blackcap 4 (1), Swallow 3, Whitethroat 3, Chaffinch 3, Linnet 3 (1), House Sparrow 3 (1), Wren 1, Dunnock 1 (2), Blackbird 1 (1), Spotted Flycatcher, Greenfinch 1 (8), Woodpigeon (2).
Moths
Cochylimorpha straminea would appear to be the first island record while Large Yellow Underwing, Flame, Small Clouded Bridle and White Colon were new for the year.
Images
Cochylimorpha straminea.
