30th June 2018 – hot and sunny NE3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0545-0645) produced 160 Sandwich Tern, 39 Common Scoter, 32 Manx Shearwater, 11 Gannet, 5 Guillemot and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
An out of season Tree Sparrow was a surprise.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swift were logged.
Ringing
A total of 116 birds of 12 species were handled during the month, mainly due to post-breeding dispersal. Individual species totals were as follow (retraps in brackets) Starling 43, (1), House Sparrow 19, Dunnock 9, (4), Chaffinch 9, Greenfinch 8, (5), Goldfinch 7, (3), Blackbird 2, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 1, Linnet 1, Sparrowhawk (2), Reed Bunting (1). 460/27, 143/14
Returning waders
25th June 2018 – warm and sunny V1/2
Offshore
The sea provided 40 Sandwich Tern, 21 Manx Shearwater, 9 Common Scoter, 3 Arctic Tern and a Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 680 Knot, 60 Dunlin, 12 Sanderling and single Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper and Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
A male Peregrine was logged.
Ringing
The Knot flock included a colour-ringed bird that had previously been seen in Iceland during the spring.
Moths
A Crescent striped was attracted to the moth trap.
Offshore
The sea provided 40 Sandwich Tern, 21 Manx Shearwater, 9 Common Scoter, 3 Arctic Tern and a Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 680 Knot, 60 Dunlin, 12 Sanderling and single Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper and Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
A male Peregrine was logged.
Ringing
The Knot flock included a colour-ringed bird that had previously been seen in Iceland during the spring.
Moths
A Crescent striped was attracted to the moth trap.
Whimbrel begin to return
24th June 2018 – bright and sunny V1/2
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (0630-0700) produced 60 Sandwich Tern, 56 Common Scoter and 11 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was presumably the first southbound bird.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 460 Knot and 6 Whimbrel.
Ringing
The summering flock of Knot held a further five colour-ringed birds.
Dragonflies
At least 7 Black-tailed Skimmer were noted as the species consolidates its recent colonisation of the island.
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (0630-0700) produced 60 Sandwich Tern, 56 Common Scoter and 11 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was presumably the first southbound bird.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 460 Knot and 6 Whimbrel.
Ringing
The summering flock of Knot held a further five colour-ringed birds.
Dragonflies
At least 7 Black-tailed Skimmer were noted as the species consolidates its recent colonisation of the island.
Colour-ringed Knot
23rd June 2018 – sunny spells WNW4/5
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (0710-0810) produced 167 Common Scoter, 125 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater, 4 Guillemot, 2 Puffin and 2 Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Grey Heron out south out over the sea and a Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 280 Knot, 19 Grey Plover and 17 Dunlin.
Breeding Birds
A family party of Jay confirmed breeding on the island for the third successive year while the colonisation of the island by Long-tailed Tits continues with 30 birds logged.
Ringing
The summering flock of Knot held at least six colour-ringed birds.
Moths
An Anania perlucidalis would appear to be the first island record.
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (0710-0810) produced 167 Common Scoter, 125 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater, 4 Guillemot, 2 Puffin and 2 Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Grey Heron out south out over the sea and a Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 280 Knot, 19 Grey Plover and 17 Dunlin.
Breeding Birds
A family party of Jay confirmed breeding on the island for the third successive year while the colonisation of the island by Long-tailed Tits continues with 30 birds logged.
Ringing
The summering flock of Knot held at least six colour-ringed birds.
Moths
An Anania perlucidalis would appear to be the first island record.
Manx Shearwaters
19th June 2018 – sunny start then overcast S2/1
Offshore
Evening observations on the tide and over calm seas (1530-1730) produced 427 Manx Shearwater, 245 Sandwich Tern, 31 Gannet, 18 Guillemot, 13 Common Scoter and 4 Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 300 Knot, 100 Dunlin and 6 Turnstone.
Offshore
Evening observations on the tide and over calm seas (1530-1730) produced 427 Manx Shearwater, 245 Sandwich Tern, 31 Gannet, 18 Guillemot, 13 Common Scoter and 4 Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 300 Knot, 100 Dunlin and 6 Turnstone.
Littering Ravens
18th June 2018 – sunny spells WSW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 270 Sandwich Tern, 103 Gannet, 86 Manx Shearwater, 65 Guillemot, 28 Kittiwake, 15 Razorbill, 14 Common Scoter and 4 Fulmar.
Miscellaneous
The family party of Raven continue to ransack the refuse bins.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 270 Sandwich Tern, 103 Gannet, 86 Manx Shearwater, 65 Guillemot, 28 Kittiwake, 15 Razorbill, 14 Common Scoter and 4 Fulmar.
Miscellaneous
The family party of Raven continue to ransack the refuse bins.
Out of season Great Northern Diver
17th June 2018 – overcast/rain by evening SW3/4
Offshore
A first-summer Great Northern Diver fed offshore and additional sightings (0715-0915) included 155 Sandwich Tern, 57 Gannet, 28 Manx Shearwater, 26 Common Scoter, 25 Kittiwake, 9 Guillemot and a Fulmar.
Offshore
A first-summer Great Northern Diver fed offshore and additional sightings (0715-0915) included 155 Sandwich Tern, 57 Gannet, 28 Manx Shearwater, 26 Common Scoter, 25 Kittiwake, 9 Guillemot and a Fulmar.
Rain finally clears
16th June 2018 – rain clearing later SSE3 the SW3
Offshore
A check of the sea (1500-1600) as the rain finally cleared revealed 190 Sandwich Tern, 44 Guillemot, 18 Gannet, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 104 Curlew, 27 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Offshore
A check of the sea (1500-1600) as the rain finally cleared revealed 190 Sandwich Tern, 44 Guillemot, 18 Gannet, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 104 Curlew, 27 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Great Spotted Woodpecker added to breeding list
15th June 2018 – sunny spells SW3
Offshore
A check of the sea at high tide revealed 50 Sandwich Tern, 26 Little Tern, 6 Arctic Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Knot, 224 Dunlin, 88 Sanderling, 35 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Breeding Birds
A male Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding two juveniles is the first conclusive evidence of the species breeding on the island.
Miscellaneous
Five Little Egret were seen.
Offshore
A check of the sea at high tide revealed 50 Sandwich Tern, 26 Little Tern, 6 Arctic Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Knot, 224 Dunlin, 88 Sanderling, 35 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Breeding Birds
A male Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding two juveniles is the first conclusive evidence of the species breeding on the island.
Miscellaneous
Five Little Egret were seen.
Another seawatch
14th June 2018 – sunny spells WSW6/5/4/3 gusting to 8 at first
Offshore
A couple checks of the sea (0820-1010 & 1530-1730) after Storm Hector had passed through produced totals of 405 Manx Shearwater, 114 Gannet, 100 Sandwich Tern, 8 Kittiwake, 8 Guillemot, 7 Fulmar, 6 Common Scoter and 5 Razorbill.
Waders
The flock of 800 Knot remain on the island.
Offshore
A couple checks of the sea (0820-1010 & 1530-1730) after Storm Hector had passed through produced totals of 405 Manx Shearwater, 114 Gannet, 100 Sandwich Tern, 8 Kittiwake, 8 Guillemot, 7 Fulmar, 6 Common Scoter and 5 Razorbill.
Waders
The flock of 800 Knot remain on the island.
Evening seawatch
13th June 2018 – overcast W1, rain by evening SSW2/3
Offshore
A Black Guillemot was seen on the rising tide before an early evening seawatch (1530-1730) ahead of the approaching weather front produced 605 Sandwich Tern, 73 Manx Shearwater, 39 Guillemot, 14 Gannet, 12 Common Scoter, 11 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Puffin. It has been a record breaking spring/summer for the latter species with a total of 44 birds logged over 11 days.
Waders
A flock of 800 Knot remain on the island – presumably containing mainly non-breeding first-summer birds failing to make the journey back north.
Offshore
A Black Guillemot was seen on the rising tide before an early evening seawatch (1530-1730) ahead of the approaching weather front produced 605 Sandwich Tern, 73 Manx Shearwater, 39 Guillemot, 14 Gannet, 12 Common Scoter, 11 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Puffin. It has been a record breaking spring/summer for the latter species with a total of 44 birds logged over 11 days.
Waders
A flock of 800 Knot remain on the island – presumably containing mainly non-breeding first-summer birds failing to make the journey back north.
More seabirds
11th June 2018 – bright and sunny NW3/4
Offshore
The sea continues to provide the best rewards with 3 Puffin and 3 Goosander the highlights. Additional records included 190 Sandwich Tern, 72 Guillemot, 38 Gannet, 36 Manx Shearwater, 17 Common Scoter, 13 Razorbill and a Fulmar.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and House Martin continue to trickle through.
Offshore
The sea continues to provide the best rewards with 3 Puffin and 3 Goosander the highlights. Additional records included 190 Sandwich Tern, 72 Guillemot, 38 Gannet, 36 Manx Shearwater, 17 Common Scoter, 13 Razorbill and a Fulmar.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and House Martin continue to trickle through.
Seabirds and waders
10th June 2018 – Hazy sun V1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0715-0845) again provided further Puffins with 8 birds logged. Additional sightings included 90 Sandwich Tern, 73 Common Scoter, 28 Manx Shearwater, 17 Gannet, 12 Kittiwake, 5 Guillemot and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap provided evidence that a few birds are still on the move.
Diurnal Migration
A Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 110 Knot, 45 Sanderling, 23 Dunlin, 22 Grey Plover and a Whimbrel.
Ringing
The Knot again proved to be good value with four colour-ringed birds noted.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0715-0845) again provided further Puffins with 8 birds logged. Additional sightings included 90 Sandwich Tern, 73 Common Scoter, 28 Manx Shearwater, 17 Gannet, 12 Kittiwake, 5 Guillemot and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap provided evidence that a few birds are still on the move.
Diurnal Migration
A Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 110 Knot, 45 Sanderling, 23 Dunlin, 22 Grey Plover and a Whimbrel.
Ringing
The Knot again proved to be good value with four colour-ringed birds noted.
End of spring feel
9th June 2018 – bright and sunny V1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) continued the trend of recent Puffin sightings with a further 11 birds logged. Also seen were 90 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Manx Shearwater and 2 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 800 Knot and 2 Whimbrel.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies are certainly prospering in the settled conditions with 410 Common Blue Damselfly, 68 Four Spotted Chaser, 10 Large Red Damselfly, 10 Emperor Dragonfly, 6 Emerald Damselfly, 3 Blue-tailed Damselfly and a Common Darter logged.
Butterflies
Butterflies included Small Heath and Dingy Skipper.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) continued the trend of recent Puffin sightings with a further 11 birds logged. Also seen were 90 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Manx Shearwater and 2 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 800 Knot and 2 Whimbrel.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies are certainly prospering in the settled conditions with 410 Common Blue Damselfly, 68 Four Spotted Chaser, 10 Large Red Damselfly, 10 Emperor Dragonfly, 6 Emerald Damselfly, 3 Blue-tailed Damselfly and a Common Darter logged.
Butterflies
Butterflies included Small Heath and Dingy Skipper.
Passage at an end
4th June 2018 – overcast/ murky V1/2
Offshore
The large flock of Common Scoter continues to reside in the mouth of Morecambe Bay with 1400 birds logged. Additional sightings included 1000 Eider, 140 Sandwich Tern, 40 Gannet and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Swift continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Wigeon remains and waders included 60 Knot, 19 Sanderling and 5 Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
A recent addition to the breeding list a pair of Jay would again appear to be breeding on the island.
Moths
The numbers attracted to the moth trap overnight continue to grow with Dark Swordgrass and Diamond-back the only immigrant recorded. Resident species included Poplar Hawkmoth and Ingrailed Clay, along with Brown China Mark, Beautiful China Mark and Small China Mark and an early White-line Dart.
Offshore
The large flock of Common Scoter continues to reside in the mouth of Morecambe Bay with 1400 birds logged. Additional sightings included 1000 Eider, 140 Sandwich Tern, 40 Gannet and a Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Swift continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Wigeon remains and waders included 60 Knot, 19 Sanderling and 5 Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
A recent addition to the breeding list a pair of Jay would again appear to be breeding on the island.
Moths
The numbers attracted to the moth trap overnight continue to grow with Dark Swordgrass and Diamond-back the only immigrant recorded. Resident species included Poplar Hawkmoth and Ingrailed Clay, along with Brown China Mark, Beautiful China Mark and Small China Mark and an early White-line Dart.
Puffin sightings continue
3rd June 2018 – bright and sunny W1/2/3
Offshore
The remarkable run of Puffin sightings this spring continues with 3 birds logged. Also seen (0645-0815) were 200 Sandwich Tern, 64 Guillemot, 38 Common Scoter, 36 Gannet, 25 Manx Shearwater, 6 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Skua and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Three Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were considered new arrivals.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Swift continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Wigeon remains.
Miscellaneous
Grey Heron has bred on the island for the third successive year and a family party of Raven was seen.
Moths
The numbers attracted to the moth trap overnight continue to grow although Silver Y was the only immigrant recorded.
Offshore
The remarkable run of Puffin sightings this spring continues with 3 birds logged. Also seen (0645-0815) were 200 Sandwich Tern, 64 Guillemot, 38 Common Scoter, 36 Gannet, 25 Manx Shearwater, 6 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Skua and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Three Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were considered new arrivals.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Swift continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Wigeon remains.
Miscellaneous
Grey Heron has bred on the island for the third successive year and a family party of Raven was seen.
Moths
The numbers attracted to the moth trap overnight continue to grow although Silver Y was the only immigrant recorded.
Quail tops the bill
2nd June 2018 – overcast W1
Rarities
A Quail was disturbed at close range from amongst the vegetated sand dunes
Offshore
Early morning observations (0645-0815) produced 200 Sandwich Tern, 25 Guillemot, 24 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 9 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Puffin and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo remains and a late flurry of Spotted Flycatchers saw 7 birds logged. Also seen were 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Swift continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Wigeon and drake Teal were the first signs of returning wildfowl. Waders included 800 Knot, 12 Sanderling, 12 Grey Plover and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was presumably the result of post-breeding dispersal
Moths
Nationally scarce species attracted to the moth trap overnight involved Sand Dart and White Colon.
Rarities
A Quail was disturbed at close range from amongst the vegetated sand dunes
Offshore
Early morning observations (0645-0815) produced 200 Sandwich Tern, 25 Guillemot, 24 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 9 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Puffin and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo remains and a late flurry of Spotted Flycatchers saw 7 birds logged. Also seen were 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Swift continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Wigeon and drake Teal were the first signs of returning wildfowl. Waders included 800 Knot, 12 Sanderling, 12 Grey Plover and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was presumably the result of post-breeding dispersal
Moths
Nationally scarce species attracted to the moth trap overnight involved Sand Dart and White Colon.
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