30th July 2017 – sunny spells SW4
Offshore
An evening check of the sea on the rising tide (1630-1730) produced just 38 Common Scoter, 14 Gannet and 4 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A Reed Warbler was amongst the continued trickle of Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper.
Breeding Birds
It would appear a poor year for Shelduck with no ducklings recorded for perhaps the first time in the observatory’s history.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore.
Ringing
Post-breeding dispersal and early southbound movement saw a total of 107 birds of 17 species handled during the month. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets). House Sparrow 39, (1), Goldfinch 12, Dunnock 8, (1), Greenfinch 7, (3), Starling 6, Willow Warbler 6, Sedge Warbler 5, (1), Chaffinch 4, Robin 3, Song Thrush 2, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 2, Treecreeper 1, Blackbird 1, Reed Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Swallow 1
Little Owls breed successfully
29th July 2017 – sunny spells SW4
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (0730-0930) produced 174 Common Scoter, 57 Gannet, 57 Manx Shearwater, 16 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Willow Warbler continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Breeding Birds
The last known pair of Little Owl on the island have fledged at least one youngster.
Moths
Small Wainscot and Twin-spot Carpet were new for the year.
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (0730-0930) produced 174 Common Scoter, 57 Gannet, 57 Manx Shearwater, 16 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Willow Warbler continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Breeding Birds
The last known pair of Little Owl on the island have fledged at least one youngster.
Moths
Small Wainscot and Twin-spot Carpet were new for the year.
Little Egret begin to build
28th July 2017 – sunny spells SW4
Offshore
A Little Tern was amongst small numbers of Common Scoter and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
The southbound trickle of Willow Warbler continues and the first Wheatear of the autumn was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 550 Dunlin, 6 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 27 Little Egret are now in residence.
Offshore
A Little Tern was amongst small numbers of Common Scoter and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
The southbound trickle of Willow Warbler continues and the first Wheatear of the autumn was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 550 Dunlin, 6 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 27 Little Egret are now in residence.
Treecreeper
24th July 2017 – sunny spells WNW3
Grounded Migrants
A Treecreeper was unusual and provided evidence of further post-breeding dispersal.
Wildfowl and Waders
Whimbrel continue to be logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 24 Little Egret are already in residence.
Butterflies and Moths
Immigrant moths involved Rush Veneer, 8 Silver Y and 8 Dark Swordgrass. A few Red Admiral were also on the wing.
Grounded Migrants
A Treecreeper was unusual and provided evidence of further post-breeding dispersal.
Wildfowl and Waders
Whimbrel continue to be logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 24 Little Egret are already in residence.
Butterflies and Moths
Immigrant moths involved Rush Veneer, 8 Silver Y and 8 Dark Swordgrass. A few Red Admiral were also on the wing.
Breeding Great Spotted Woodpecker?
23rd July 2017 – sunny spells/rain later E1 then W3
Offshore
Little evidence of offshore movement with just 20 Sandwich Tern and 10 Common Scoter logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was unseasonable while small numbers of Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler were again logged.
Diurnal Migration
Swift continue to trickle through while 40 Swallow provided that the first evidence that birds are starting to gather.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2005 Curlew, 300 Rdshank, 110 Dunlin, 90 Grey Plover, 29 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was perhaps the result of post-breeding dispersal although a Jay provided evidence of breeding on the island for the second successive year.
Moths
Small Phoenix and Small Rufous were new for the year amongst small numbers of immigrant Silver Y, Dark Sword Grass and Diamond-back Moths.
Offshore
Little evidence of offshore movement with just 20 Sandwich Tern and 10 Common Scoter logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was unseasonable while small numbers of Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler were again logged.
Diurnal Migration
Swift continue to trickle through while 40 Swallow provided that the first evidence that birds are starting to gather.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2005 Curlew, 300 Rdshank, 110 Dunlin, 90 Grey Plover, 29 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was perhaps the result of post-breeding dispersal although a Jay provided evidence of breeding on the island for the second successive year.
Moths
Small Phoenix and Small Rufous were new for the year amongst small numbers of immigrant Silver Y, Dark Sword Grass and Diamond-back Moths.
Wader numbers continue to build
22nd July 2017 – overcast/light showers SE1
Offshore
Terns from local colonies feeding offshore involved 14 Little Tern, 14 Sandwich Tern and 4 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
An increase in Whitethroat and decrease in Sedge Warbler provided more evidence that migration is already underway. At least 4 Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift trickled south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Teal and Snipe have returned while wader numbers begin to build with 2075 Curlew, 600 Redshank, 352 Dunlin, 46 Whimbrel, 40 Sanderling, 12 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit amongst the species logged.
Butterflies and Moths
A Painted Lady was only the second recorded this year while Rosy Rustic and Six-stripe Rustic were new for the year.
Offshore
Terns from local colonies feeding offshore involved 14 Little Tern, 14 Sandwich Tern and 4 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
An increase in Whitethroat and decrease in Sedge Warbler provided more evidence that migration is already underway. At least 4 Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift trickled south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Teal and Snipe have returned while wader numbers begin to build with 2075 Curlew, 600 Redshank, 352 Dunlin, 46 Whimbrel, 40 Sanderling, 12 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit amongst the species logged.
Butterflies and Moths
A Painted Lady was only the second recorded this year while Rosy Rustic and Six-stripe Rustic were new for the year.
Willow Warblers continue to head south
16th July 2017 – sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) provided 410 Sandwich Tern, 122 Common Scoter, 36 Gannet and a single Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A further 6 Willow Warbler headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 12 Sanderling and 2 Whimbrel.
Moths
White Colon, Antler Moth and Straw Underwing were new for the year.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) provided 410 Sandwich Tern, 122 Common Scoter, 36 Gannet and a single Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A further 6 Willow Warbler headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 12 Sanderling and 2 Whimbrel.
Moths
White Colon, Antler Moth and Straw Underwing were new for the year.
Waders continue to return
15th July 2017 – overcast/rain/drizzle
Offshore
A check over the sea as the rain cleared (1215-1415) produced 300 Sandwich Tern, 170 Manx Shearwater, 90 Common Scoter, 50 Gannet, 3 Arctic Skua and a single Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler provided further evidence of southbound movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 140 Dunlin, 45 Grey Plover, 30 Knot and 5 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Four Little Egret and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
The micro Anania crocealis was only the second island record.
Offshore
A check over the sea as the rain cleared (1215-1415) produced 300 Sandwich Tern, 170 Manx Shearwater, 90 Common Scoter, 50 Gannet, 3 Arctic Skua and a single Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler provided further evidence of southbound movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 140 Dunlin, 45 Grey Plover, 30 Knot and 5 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Four Little Egret and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
The micro Anania crocealis was only the second island record.
Arctic Skuas
9th July 2017 – overcast/sunny later SW2/3
Offshore
Two checks of the sea either side of high tide produced totals of 230 Sandwich Tern, 167 Common Scoter, 72 Gannet, 6 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Little Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A couple of Willow Warbler provided further evidence of southbound movement.
Diurnal Migration
Three Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 43 Dunlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel.
Offshore
Two checks of the sea either side of high tide produced totals of 230 Sandwich Tern, 167 Common Scoter, 72 Gannet, 6 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Little Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A couple of Willow Warbler provided further evidence of southbound movement.
Diurnal Migration
Three Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 43 Dunlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel.
Another Puffin
2nd July 2017 – sunny spells W3
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide (0730-0930) produced 505 Common Scoter, 420 Sandwich Tern, 78 Gannet, 14 Guillemot, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Manx Shearwater and single Arctic Skua and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Three Willow Warbler provided further evidence of southbound movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide (0730-0930) produced 505 Common Scoter, 420 Sandwich Tern, 78 Gannet, 14 Guillemot, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Manx Shearwater and single Arctic Skua and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Three Willow Warbler provided further evidence of southbound movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Puffin and Common Tern
1st July 2017 – sunny spells NW3
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide (0800-0900) produced 220 Sandwich Tern, 155 Common Scoter, 16 Gannet, 5 Guillemot, 2 Arctic Tern and single Puffin and Common Tern – the latter the first of the year.
Grounded Migrants
A Garden Warbler provided early evidence of autumn migration.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Moths
A total of 460 moths were trapped overnight, amongst which was Hoary Plume – an island first. Immigrants included 4 Dark Swordgrass and 2 Silver Y. Residents were led by a Crescent Striped while Plain Golden Y, Single-dotted Wave and Smoky Wainscot made the first appearance of the year.
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide (0800-0900) produced 220 Sandwich Tern, 155 Common Scoter, 16 Gannet, 5 Guillemot, 2 Arctic Tern and single Puffin and Common Tern – the latter the first of the year.
Grounded Migrants
A Garden Warbler provided early evidence of autumn migration.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Moths
A total of 460 moths were trapped overnight, amongst which was Hoary Plume – an island first. Immigrants included 4 Dark Swordgrass and 2 Silver Y. Residents were led by a Crescent Striped while Plain Golden Y, Single-dotted Wave and Smoky Wainscot made the first appearance of the year.
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