Scaup remains in residence

31st October 2019 – bright and sunny ESE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 150 Razorbill, 73 Common Scoter, 10 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver a Goldeneye.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 4 Redwing and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Totals involved 550 Jackdaw, 300 Starling and 55 Pink-footed Goose.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remained and waders included 43 Bar-tailed Godwit and 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.

Quiet day

30th October 2019 – bright and sunny NE3/4
Offshore
A later than normal check of the sea produced 100 Razorbill, 22 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 14 Redwing and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Totals involved 215 Pink-footed Goose, 120 Jackdaw, 6 Whooper Swan, 6 Tree Sparrow, 5 Greenfinch, 2 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll.

Scaup remains

29th October 2019 – bright and sunny NE3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 20 Razorbill, 12 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 5 Guillemot and 5 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 61 Redwing, 22 Fieldfare and 22 Blackbird.
Diurnal Migration
Quieter today with only a few species on the move including 570 Pink-footed Goose, 500 Jackdaw, 31 Whooper Swan, 10 Chaffinch, 4 Lesser Redpoll and single Tree Sparrow and Brambling.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remained and waders included 7 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Barn Owl, Little Owl and Merlin were the best of the rest.

Marsh Harrier and Scaup

28th October 2019 – bright and sunny V1
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 5 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 29 Redwing, 8 Fieldfare and 3 Song Thrush, otherwise just 2 Goldcrest were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Marsh Harrier headed north over the island late morning and additional sightings included 300 Jackdaw, 290 Pink-footed Goose, 44 Tree Sparrow, 30 Fieldfare, 21 Lesser Redpoll, 8 Siskin, 5 Greenfinch, 3 Rock Pipit and 2 Whooper Swan.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Scaup was newly arrived and waders included 9 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Barn Owl, 2 Little Owl, Buzzard, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Black Guillemot and Whooper Swans

27th October 2019 – sunny spells WNW5/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) involved 172 Common Scoter, 124 Razorbill, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Kittiwake. At high tide a juvenile Black Guillemot was off the eastern shore.
Diurnal Migration
A further 9 Whooper Swan were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 221 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 3 Greenshank and a Purple Sandpiper.

Velvet Scoters and Whooper Swans

26th October 2019 – early rain clearing V1
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide produced 2 Velvet Scoter along with 2000 Eider, 40 Common Scoter and 3 Shag.
Diurnal Migration
A tidal wave of Whooper Swans swept through behind the weather front with an exceptional 346 birds logged. Also seen were 65 Pink-footed Geese.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Golden Plover and 500 Knot.
Miscellaneous
Barn Owl, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Great Northern Divers and Whooper Swans

25th October 2019 – overcast/rain soon E1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 8 Shag and 2 Great Northern Divers.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 12 Redwing and a Fieldfare while warblers were limited to single Goldcrest, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move prior to the rain setting in with 60 Meadow Pipit, 49 Whooper Swan, 20 Linnet, 15 Skylark, 6 Siskin and 5 Reed Bunting logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Greenshank
Miscellaneous
Two Barn Owl and single Little Owl, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Great Skua

24th October 2019 – early mist/drizzle then sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced 144 Common Scoter, 30 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Gannet and single Great Skua and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes were again non-existent while warblers were limited to a Goldcrest and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Again only few birds were on the move with highlights involving 2 Bullfinch, 2 Twite and single Lesser Redpoll and Tree Sparrow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 350 Knot and 7 Greenshank
Miscellaneous
Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

The seas have it!

23rd October 2019 – sunny spells S3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced 178 Common Scoter, 132 Razorbill, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes were non-existent while warblers were limited to a Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Again few birds were on the move with just 100 Jackdaw and single Siskin and Tree Sparrow logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Goldeneye and 4 Greenshank were as good as it got!
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.

Great Northern Diver

22nd October 2019 – overcast WSW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea were highlighted by a Great Northern Diver along with totals of 1,800 Eider, 177 Common Scoter, 152 Razorbill, 9 Kittiwake, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shag and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 6 Redwing and 3 Fieldfare while warblers were limited to 2 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Few birds were on the move today with just 3 Tree Sparrow logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Several Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Eerily quiet in the skies

21st October 2019 – bright and sunny N1/2
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 275 Redwing, 57 Fieldfare, 6 Blackbird and a Mistle Thrush while warblers were again limited to a solitary Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Variety rather than quantity with 1625 Pink-footed Goose, 750 Jackdaw, 31 Tree Sparrow, 25 Skylark, 16 Linnet, 14 Chaffinch, 12 Meadow Pipit, 12 Carrion Crow, 12 Pied Wagtail, 11 Whooper Swan, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Greenfinch, 5 Brambling, 2 Swallow, 2 Siskin and single Bullfinch, Lesser Redpoll and Reed Bunting.
Wildfowl and Waders
Several Greenshank were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

First Brambling and Fieldfare

20th October 2019 – bright start then showers N1
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed a Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 195 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare and 2 Mistle Thrush while warblers were limited to a solitary Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Again relatively quiet with 600 Jackdaw, 595 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Tree Sparrow, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 13 Whooper Swan, 10 Meadow Pipit and a Brambling.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Goldeneye have returned and the Brent Goose flock held 219 pale-bellied and 9 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
Best of the rest were 2 Barn Owl, 2 Peregrine and single Merlin and Hooded Crow.

Hooded Crow puts in another appearance

19th October 2019 – bright and sunny/V1, showers by evening
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 5 Shag while 2 Velvet Scoter were also reported.
Grounded Migrants
Again grounded birds were at a premium, early morning thrushes involved 20 Redwing and 3 Song Thrush while warblers were limited to 12 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Disappointingly quiet with just 315 Pink-footed Goose, 265 Jackdaw, 55 Skylark, 30 Meadow Pipit, 30 Tree Sparrow, 10 Pied Wagtail, 9 Reed Bunting, 5 Greenfinch, 4 Siskin and single Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll recorded through the morning in the seemingly ideal conditions .
Miscellaneous
The reappearance of the Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A Red Admiral was on the wing.

A quiet day

18th October 2019 – overcast ESE2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 3 Shag and 2 Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
Little of note, early morning thrushes were limited to 3 Song Thrush and obviously grounded birds were limited to 12 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Notwithstanding 1140 Jackdaw, it was a quiet morning with just 70 Meadow Pipit, 21 Pied Wagtail, 20 Skylark, 18 Linnet, 14 Tree Sparrow, 9 Reed Bunting. 5 Siskin, 4 Greenfinch and single Swallow, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail and Twite logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was again the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Red Admiral remain on the wing.

It’s been a Treecreeper autumn

17th October 2019 – bright and sunny SE4/5
Grounded Migrants
An exceptional seventh Treecreeper of the autumn was amongst 10 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds battled the elements with 205 Jackdaw, 110 Meadow Pipit, 54 Skylark, 44 Linnet, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Greenfinch, 8 Reed Bunting, 3 Grey Wagtail and a Tree Sparrow amongst the species logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 22 Pintail were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Both Painted Lady and Red Admiral remain on the wing.

Brent Goose numbers continue to build

16th October 2019 – rain clearing S3 then W3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea as the rain cleared (0830-0930) produced 122 Razorbill, 112 Common Scoter, 5 Teal and 4 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 10 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap. Early morning thrushes were limited to a solitary Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
Three Swallow and single Grey Wagtail and Twite were amongst a light passage.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 220 light-bellied birds which included at least 42 juveniles.
Ringing
The recently sighted Curlew had been colour-ringed at Dolydd Hafren, Montgomeryshire, Wales on 2nd April 2016.

Firecrest and Short-eared Owls

15th October 2019 – overcast then sunny spells V1/2
Grounded Migrants
A Firecrest was amongst 12 Goldcrest but otherwise sightings involved 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and a Wheatear. Early morning thrushes involved 14 Redwing and 5 Song Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
Visible migration was less prominent than yesterday but still produced 670 Pink-footed Goose, 390 Jackdaw, 160 Meadow Pipit, 110 Starling, 54 Linnet, 50 Skylark, 43 Pied Wagtail, 30 Tree Sparrow, 36 Chaffinch, 11 Reed Bunting, 8 Greenfinch, 7 Swallow, 5 Rook, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail and single Collared Dove.
Miscellaneous
Three Short-eared Owl were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour ringed Curlew was noted, details are awaited.

Marsh Harrier

14th October 2019 – overcast then sunny spells E2
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds remained in short supply with just 14 Goldcrest and a Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Visible migration dominated the days sightings and were led by a Marsh Harrier heading south at 1130hrs. Also seen were 3760 Meadow Pipit, 1090 Pink-footed Goose, 560 Skylark, 400 Jackdaw, 315 Pied Wagtail, 123 Linnet, 65 Chaffinch, 54 Swallow, 44 Carrion Crow, 40 Starling, 22 Reed Bunting, 20 Goldfinch, 13 Tree Sparrow, 8 House Martin, 5 Siskin, 4 Greenfinch and single Grey Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Mistle Thrush.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A few Red Admiral were on the wing and Brick was new for the year.

Late Whimbrel

13th October 2019 – overcast/rain soon E2/3
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 5 Redwing and 2 Song Thrush otherwise there were just three Goldcrest seen
Diurnal Migration
Birds were on the move between dawn and rain starting with totals of 150 Meadow Pipit, 63 Chaffinch, 55 Pink-footed Goose, 32 Whooper Swan, 22 Linnet, 14 Skylark, 6 Reed Bunting, 4 Tree Sparrow and single Swallow, Grey Wagtail and Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 109 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 45 Pintail while a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.

First Water Rail of the autumn

12th October 2019 – sunny spells W2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) produced 160 Common Scoter, 33 Razorbill, 8 Red-throated Diver and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A few Goldcrest and 5 Long-tailed Tit were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Visible migration finally restarted as the wind decreased with 100 Jackdaw, 62 Redwing, 60 Linnet, 50 Skylark, 30 Tree Sparrow, 29 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch, 20 Pied Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipit, 5 Siskin, 3 Swallow, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Whooper Swan and a Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 101 pale-bellied Brent Goose and a family group of 7 Whooper Swan.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.

Black Guillemot still in residence

11th October 2019 – rain, clearing later W3/4
Offshore
The winds finally decreased at dawn and observations on both the flooding (0730-0830) and ebbing tide (1315-1415) produced a total of 58 Common Scoter, 31 Razorbill, 16 Red-throated Diver, 7 Kittiwake, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Great Skua and Gannet. In addition, the juvenile Black Guillemot was again off the eastern shore over the high tide.
Grounded Migrants
Two Tree Sparrow and a Wheatear were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 21 Greenshank roosted over the tide.
Miscellaneous
A total of 95 Little Egret were spread along the island’s eastern shore and the first Twite of the autumn was logged. Two Merlin were the best of the rest.

Few seabirds

10th October 2019 – sunny spells/rain later W5/6/7
Offshore
The sea provided for rather tedious viewing (0830-1030) with long periods of inactivity and short bursts of action finally producing 40 Common Scoter, 32 Razorbill, 30 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and a solitary Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 5 Goldcrest suggested some movement had taken place.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 64 pale-bellied birds.

Arctic Skua

9th October 2019 – sun and showers W5/6/7
Offshore
Early morning observations (0830-0930) produced 63 Common Scoter, 5 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake and single Arctic Skua and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of grounded birds just a single Goldcrest, perhaps not unsurprising considering the prevalent conditions.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.

Little Gull

8th October 2019 – sunny spells and squally showers SW5/6/7
Offshore
Seawatching remained to the fore with observations (0730-0830 & 1030-1130) producing 82 Common Scoter, 49 Razorbill, 25 Gannet, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Kittiwake and single Red-throated Diver and adult Little Gull.
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of grounded birds just single Goldcrest and Chiffchaff logged.
Miscellaneous
A total of 85 Little Egret were along the eastern shore.

Pochard new for year

7th October 2019 – rain at times SSE4/5
Offshore
Seawatching was again to the fore and the long range forecast suggests this will remain the theme for the week ahead. Observations ahead of the next rain band (0800-1000) produced 145 Common Scoter, 27 Wigeon, 10 Gannet, 6 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Great Skua, Tufted Duck and Pochard.

Bonxies and Sandwich Terns

6th October 2019 – early heavy rain clearing W5/6
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide as the rain cleared (0830-1030) produced 400 Common Scoter, 160 Wigeon, 47 Gannet, 37 Razorbill, 12 Teal, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Bonxies and a Red-breasted Merganser
Grounded Migrants
Again little evidence of newly grounded birds with single Redwing, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff logged.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.

Black Brant returns

5th October 2019 – overcast E2/3
Rarities
The adult Black Brant has returned for another winter, it was located amongst 137 pale-bellied and 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese feeding at Snab Sands on the flooding tide.
Grounded Migrants
There was little evidence of newly grounded birds with just 5 Goldcrest, 4 Redwing and a single Chiffchaff located.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included: 640 Pink-footed Goose, 140 Meadow Pipit, 135 Linnet, 90 Pied Wagtail, 20 Skylark, 15 Chaffinch, 14 Reed Bunting, 3 Grey Wagtail and 3 Swallow.
Miscellaneous
Again seven members of the “crow family” were seen on the island including Hooded Crow, Raven and Jay.

Spotted Redshank and Black Guillemot

4th October 2019 – rain/drizzle clearing to showers V2/3
Grounded Migrants
Although the first 4 Redwing of the autumn were logged, excepting 57 Robin, 30 Wren and 21 Dunnock, only 8 Goldcrest and a Wheatear were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Spotted Redshank was amongst of 16 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Peregrine and single Merlin and Black Guillemot were the best of the rest.

Goosanders and Jays

3rd October 2019 – overcast/rain by evening ESE2/3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0930-1030) produced 14 Common Scoter, 5 Shag, 4 Pintail, 3 Goosander, 4 Pintail and single Red-throated Diver and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Little of note with just 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff recorded.
Diurnal Migration
A strong early morning passage steadily petered out as the wind freshened but produced totals of 1130 Pink-footed Goose, 570 Meadow Pipit, 350 Linnet, 260 Pied Wagtail, 155 Skylark, 120 Starling, 38 Tree Sparrow, 10 Chaffinch, 6 Rook, 4 Swallow, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay and a Lesser Redpoll.

First Whooper Swans head south

2nd October 2019 – bright and sunny/early frost N1 then NW2/3
Offshore
A group of 10 Shag were offshore early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Notwithstanding the 52 Robin, 24 Dunnock and 20 Wren logged the conditions resulted in few grounded birds with just 7 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Song Thrush and single Willow Warbler, Wheatear and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Birds were again on the move in the light winds, morning sightings involved 1260 Pink-footed Geese, 50 Meadow Pipit, 50 Pied Wagtail, 32 Skylark, 26 Tree Sparrow, 20 Chaffinch, 15 Whooper Swan, 10 Swallow, 8 Reed Bunting, 6 Grey Wagtail and 5 Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 50 pale-bellied birds and a group of 20 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Single Hooded Crow, Merlin and Peregrine and 2 Little Owl were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A few butterflies remain on the wing with Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Small White logged.

Almost a wash out

1st October 2019 – rain, rain, rain ENE5/6
Diurnal Migration
The rain finally relented late in the day and a few Pink-footed Geese took advantage of the conditions to head south.