First Merlin and Wigeon reappear

31st July 2016 – sunny spells NW3/4
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0645-0745) proved disappointing with just 60 Sandwich Tern, 37 Common Scoter, 8 Gannet and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
The Treecreeper remained amongst 12 Willow Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat and single Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 5 Shoveler and 3 Wigeon while a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders logged.
Miscellaneous
The first Merlin of the autumn hunted the flocks of Goldfinch and Linnet.
Moths
A total of 535 moths of 60 species were attracted overnight. The total was dominated by 177 Dark Arches while immigrants involved 23 Silver Y and 6 Dark Swordgrass.
Ringing
A total of 113 birds of 21 species were handled during the month – due to a mix of post-breeding dispersal and the start of autumn migration. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets). House Sparrow 34 (2), Sedge Warbler 14 (1), Starling 12 (1), Goldfinch 10 (3), Reed Warbler 8 (1), Willow Warbler 7, Dunnock 3, Blackbird 2, Swallow 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Whitethroat 1, Chiffchaff 1, Whinchat 1, Stonechat 1, Wren 1, Reed Bunting 1, Blue Tit 1, Treecreeper 1, Greenfinch 1 (1), Woodpigeon (1), Chaffinch (1) .

Yellow Wagtail and Treecreeper

30th July 2016 – sunny spells WNW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced the first Shag of the autumn along with 33 Sandwich Tern, 27 Common Scoter and 5 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A Treecreeper was amongst a smattering of grounded migrants which included 14 Willow Warbler, 3 Wheatear and singles of Robin and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A Yellow Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 4 Shoveler remain and 2 Whimbrel were logged.
Breeding Birds
A family group of Jay’s provided evidence of the first breeding record for the island.
Miscellaneous
Barn Owl and Little Owl hunted at dawn.

Arctic Skua

26th July 2016 – overcast/showers SSW3
Offshore
An evening check of the sea (1830-1930) produced another Arctic Skua amongst 70 Sandwich Tern, 41 Common Scoter, 39 Manx Shearwater, 29 Gannet and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Both Redstart and Wheatear remain.
Wildfowl and Waders
Flocks of 300 Knot and 30 Turnstone and a Greenshank were the best of the waders.
Butterflies and Moths
Comma and Gatekeeper are now on the wing while immigrant moths were represented by Silver Y and Rusty Dot Pearl.

Redstart and Whinchat still

25th July 2016 – sunny spells WSW3
Offshore
An evening check of the sea produced an Arctic Skua amongst 20 Sandwich Tern, 15 Manx Shearwater, 10 Gannet and 5 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Both Redstart and Whinchat remain and the trickle of Willow Warbler and Wheatear continues.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 4 Shoveler while 3 Whimbrel were the best of the waders.

Willow Warbler passage increases

24th July 2016 – overcast/showers SE/2
Offshore
A check of the sea (0730-0830) provided 170 Manx Shearwater, 130 Sandwich Tern, 42 Gannet, 42 Common Scoter and single Little Tern, Arctic Tern and Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Both Redstart and Whinchat remain and the trickle of Willow Warbler increased with 10 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 19 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.

Mediterranean Gull

23rd July 2016 – overcast SW1/2
Offshore
Offshore sightings included 206 Sandwich Tern, 54 Common Scoter, 6 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Several Willow Warbler were new in and the Redstart continues to linger.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift were again overhead amongst 50 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3210 Knot, 2710 Curlew, 630 Redshank, 39 Whimbrel, 30 Golden Plover, 18 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
An adult Mediterranean Gull was the first of the year and the Little Egret influx was consolidated with 24 birds logged.
Moths
Small Wainscot and Narrow-winged Pug were amongst 381 moths of 60 species attracted to the moth trap overnight.

Southbound Cuckoo

22nd July 2016 – overcast SW1/2
Offshore
Small numbers of Gannet and Sandwich Tern again fed offshore.
Grounded Migrants
A Cuckoo was newly arrived while Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler were all perhaps lingers from previous days.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift were again overhead.
Miscellaneous
An influx of Little Egret was apparent with 25 birds recorded.
Moths
The moth trap continues to be with 357 moths of 74 species attracted overnight. Highlights included Buff Arches, Dingy Footman, Fen Wainscot and Small Rufous.

First Shoveler return

21st July 2016 – overcast SW1/2
Offshore
A flock of 130 Sandwich Tern and 3 Gannet fed offshore in the evening.
Grounded Migrants
The Whinchat remains and a Chiffchaff was added to the list of early returning migrants.
Diurnal Migration
Several Swift were overhead.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first 2 Shoveler have returned.
Moths
The moth trap has been busy in the recent warm and settled conditions. An overnight catch of 321 moths of 71 species with White-line Dart the top species is typical of the last few days. Recent highlights include Bordered Beauty, Brown-line Bright-eye, Southern Wainscot, Straw Underwing and Least Yellow Underwing – all new for the year, while migrants include Silver Y and Diamond-back Moth.

Redstart and Whinchat

18th July 2016 – overcast/sunny later SW1
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern fed offshore in the evening.
Grounded Migrants
The Redstart remains and a Whinchat was amongst 5 Stonechat.
Diurnal Migration
Several Swift were overhead.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A hirundine roost held 40 Swallow and 10 Sand Martin. An exceptional 10 Reed Warbler were logged.
Moths
Yellow-tail was new for the year.

Bonxie and Redstart

17th July 2016 – sunny spells SW3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) were led by a single Great Skua amongst 101 Manx Shearwater, 75 Common Scoter, 30 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet, 6 Little Tern, 6 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Singles of Redstart, Wheatear and Willow Warbler provided further evidence that the early stages of autumn migration are underway.
Diurnal Migration
Several Swift were overhead.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel.
Moths
Small Fan-footed Wave, Wormwood Pug and Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing were new for the year.

Waders continue to build

16th July 2016 – sunny spells WSW3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced a single Little Tern amongst small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Lesser Whitethroat providedevidence of the start of autumn passage.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel amongst 500 Curlew and 16 Greenshank amongst 560 Redshank.
Moths
Flounced Rustic, Crescent and Fen Wainscot were all new for the year.

Scaup

10th July 2016 – overcast S3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0930) produced a Scaup amongst 300 Common Scoter along with 45 Gannet, 17 Manx Shearwater, 15 Sandwich Tern, 2 Fulmar and a Little Tern.
Miscellaneous
A post-breeding flock of 50 Linnet was logged.
Moths
Common Emerald, Grass Emerald and Small Rufus were new for the year.

Black Guillemot

9th July 2016 – overcast/rain soon S2/3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0800-0830) were led by a Black Guillemot amongst 30 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet and 3 Manx Shearwater before the rain quickly set in.
Wildfowl and waders
Waders included 8 Greenshank amongst 70 Redshank, 36 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The juvenile Little Egret remains.

Waders begin to return

8th July 2016 – early showers then sunny spells SW4/5
Wildfowl and waders
Waders included 14 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Whimbrel amongst 480 Curlew and 50 Dunlin.
Miscellaneous
A group of 6 Little Egret included a juvenile.

First Black-tailed Godwit reappear

5th July 2016 – sunny spells NW3/4
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 16 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Moths
Swallow-tailed Moth, Short-cloaked Moth and Antler Moth were all new for the year.

Seabirds again

2nd July 2016 – sun and showers SW5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900 & 1130-1230) produced 520 Manx Shearwater, 340 Common Scoter, 175 Gannet, 40 Sandwich Tern, 16 Kittiwake, 12 Guillemot, and 2 Fulmar.
Wildfowl and waders
Waders included 3000 Knot.

Puffin headlines

1st July 2016 – sunshine and heavy showers SW4
Offshore
A check of the sea (1215-1315) produced 60 Manx Shearwater, 30 Gannet, 15 Sandwich Tern, 3 Kittiwake and a Puffin.