Just a pre-rain seawatch

28th June 2022 – overcast/rain later SSE4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea ahead of the approaching rain front (0645-0845) provided relatively little with just 325 Common Scoter, 62 Sandwich Tern, 30 Gannet, 3 Manx Shearwater and an Arctic Tern recorded.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.

The sea continues to dominate

27th June 2022 – early rain then sunny spells SW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea as the rain cleared (0730-0930) produced more variety than of late with 250 Common Scoter, 130 Gannet, 85 Sandwich Tern, 65 Manx Shearwater, 26 Guillemot, 7 Kittiwake, 7 Arctic Tern, 3 Puffin, 3 Razorbill, 2 Little Tern and an Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 40 Grey Plover, 30 Dunlin and 6 Knot.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.

Goosanders

26th June 2022 – overcast/showers SSE5/6/7
Offshore
A quiet morning over the sea (0630-0730 & 1030-1130) with only 245 Common Scoter, 38 Sandwich Tern, 17 Gannet, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Shoveler and 2 Goosander logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 112 moths of 38 species with Dark Arches the dominant species and Light Arches new for the year. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen in the field.

Scoters and shearwaters

24th June 2022 – overcast WSW2/3
Offshore
It was slightly more productive over the sea early morning (0630-0830) with 640 Common Scoter, 234 Manx Shearwater, 64 Sandwich Tern, 55 Gannet, 21 Guillemot, 5 Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake and single Puffin and dark morph Arctic Skua logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and still attending 4 hybrid juveniles.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 171 moths of 49 species with Clay new for the year.

Waders continue to return

23rd June 2022 – warm and sunny ESE1/2
Offshore
It was exceptionally quiet over the sea early morning (0545-0645) with just 130 Common Scoter, 16 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Manx Shearwater and 4 Gannet logged.
Grounded Migrants
Three juvenile Stonechat and a juvenile Great Tit provided further evidence of post-breeding dispersal.
Diurnal Migration
Five Swift flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 40 summering Grey Plover were seen and returning waders included five Snipe and single Greenshank and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and still attending 4 hybrid juveniles.
Dragonflies
The first Black-tailed Skimmers are now on the wing.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Grayling have emerged and migrant butterflies involved 3 Painted Lady and a Red Admiral while the moth trap held 267 moths of 67 species with White Plume Moth, Bee Moth, Satin Wave, Single-dotted Wave, Green Pug and the nationally scarce Sand Dart - all new for the year.

The sea once again dominates sightings

22nd June 2022 – overcast then sunny spells NW1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0530-0730) saw 320 Common Scoter, 105 Sandwich Tern, 43 Gannet, 34 Manx Shearwater, 16 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 3 Heron, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Puffin.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and still attending 4 hybrid juveniles.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrant butterflies involved single Red Admiral and Painted Lady.

Early returning Wood Sandpiper

21st June 2022 – overcast then sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0700) saw Puffins return to form with 18 birds logged. Also seen were 100 Common Scoter, 73 Manx Shearwater, 44 Sandwich Tern, 41 Gannet, 19 Guillemot and 9 Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included an early returning Wood Sandpiper – the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and still attending 4 hybrid juveniles.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 146 moths of 46 species with Burnished Brass, White-line Dart, Sallow Kitten and Dot Moth all new for the year.

Long-eared Owl!

20th June 2022 – bright and sunny V1/2
Offshore
Another quiet morning over the sea (0630-0730) with just 49 Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, 19 Guillemot, 14 Sandwich Tern, 2 Razorbill and single Puffin and Manx Shearwater logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Long-eared Owl was an early morning surprise.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included the first returning Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and still attending 4 hybrid juveniles.
Dragonflies
The first Common Darter are now on the wing.

First Puffin for ages!

19th June 2022 – overcast/murky start then sunny spells WNW4/5
Offshore
Another relatively quiet morning over the sea (0630-0830), although a further 330 Common Scoter were logged additional variety was limited to 100 Gannet, 45 Guillemot, 5 Manx Shearwater, 4 Razorbill and single Kittiwake, Fulmar and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
A Robin provided further evidence of post-breeding dispersal.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and still attending 4 hybrid juveniles.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 173 moths of 45 species with Dark Arches the dominant species and Grey Dagger, Obscure Wainscot and Clouded Brindle new for the year, indeed the latter would appear to be the first island record.

Common Scoter still on the move

18th June 2022 – sunny spells WNW3
Offshore
Another quiet morning over the sea (0630-0830), although a further 435 Common Scoter were logged additional sightings were limited to 71 Gannet, 30 Sandwich Tern, 19 Manx Shearwater, 14 Guillemot and 2 Kittiwake.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins

17th June 2022 – sunny spells V2
Offshore
Quieter over the sea this morning (0630-0800) with just 116 Common Scoter, 62 Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet, 8 Manx Shearwater, 4 Guillemot, 3 Great Crested Grebe and single Little Tern and Red-breasted Merganser logged.
Grounded Migrants
Single Stonechat, Chaffinch and Blue Tit were newly arrived and presumably evidence of post-breeding dispersal.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and 3 Raven were the best of the rest whilst both Bee Orchid and “Walney” Geranium are now in bloom.
Mammals
At least four Bottle-nosed Dolphins were offshore early morning.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 221 moths of 51 species with Small China Mark, Mottled Beauty, White Satin, Wormwood Pug and Buff Arches new for the year.

Common Scoters continue to move through

16th June 2022 – sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0800) were dominated by a movement of Common Scoter which produced 1200 birds. Also seen were 210 Sandwich Tern, 17 Manx Shearwater, 13 Gannet, 4 Little Tern, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Kittiwake and an Arctic Skua (dark morph).
Miscellaneous
A walk around the north end of the island revealed 68 species including seven species of warbler whilst breeding was confirmed for Mallard, Tufted Duck, Eider, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Ringed Plover, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sparrowhawk, Barn Owl, Sand Martin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Reed Bunting. The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Dragonflies
The first Emperor Dragonfly are now on the wing.
Butterflies and Moths
Small Skipper, Large Skipper and Meadow Brown were new for the year.

Common Scoters and Goosanders

15th June 2022 – overcast then sunny spells/calm then WNW2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0800) produced 610 Common Scoter, 355 Sandwich Tern, 20 Gannet, 11 Manx Shearwater and 4 Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
The obligatory mid-June Chiffchaff arrived.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 330 Curlew, 47 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in another appearance while 22 Little Egret and 5 Raven were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore in the calm condition’s early morning.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 221 moths of 44 species with Cinnabar the dominant species and Riband Wave, Rustic, Nutmeg, Small Magpie and Bramble-shoot Moth all new for the year.

Mediterranean Gull

14th June 2022 – overcast then sunny spells W1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0800) produced 325 Common Scoter, 150 Sandwich Tern, 44 Gannet, 13 Guillemot, 4 Puffin, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Arctic Skua and single Little Tern and Mediterranean Gull.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a single Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in another appearance and 3 Raven were the best of the rest.

Same suspects, lesser numbers

13th June 2022 – overcast then sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0800) produced 110 Common Scoter, 85 Sandwich Tern, 46 Gannet, 27 Guillemot, 10 Razorbill, 4 Little Tern, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Kittiwake and single Arctic Tern and Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 21 summering first-summer Grey Plover while single Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit hinted that return passage has already begun.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in another appearance and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.

Arctic Skua brace

12th June 2022 – overcast then sunny spells W4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0700) produced 169 Kittiwake, 111 Common Scoter, 74 Gannet, 73 Guillemot, 23 Razorbill, 23 Sandwich Tern, 8 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua 1 (dark, 1 pale), 2 Mute Swan and an Arctic Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 35 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Grey Plover, 3 Knot and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in an appearance.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held just 83 moths of 24 species although Middle-barred Minor and Snout were new for the year.

Surprise Gadwall flock

11th June 2022 – overcast/murk then sunny spells SW5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations (0545-0745) produced 360 Manx Shearwater, 143 Gannet, 83 Razorbill, 66 Guillemot, 55 Sandwich Tern, 38 Kittiwake, 8 Fulmar and single Arctic Tern and Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 5 Gadwall.

Seabirds dominate

10th June 2022 – misty start then hazy sun SW4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations (0615-0815) in poor visibility revealed 210 Manx Shearwater, 135 Sandwich Tern, 100 Guillemot, 98 Kittiwake, 80 Gannet, 52 Razorbill, 31 Common Scoter, 6 Fulmar, 2 Great Crested Grebe and a Little Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included small numbers of Sanderling and Knot.
Breeding Birds
After years of decline the gull shows a welcome small increase suggesting protection measures are beginning to have a positive effect.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 118 moths of 38 species, Large Yellow Underwing were dominant while additional sighting included 9 immigrant Silver Y along with a Timothy Tortrix – the latter the first of the year.

Black Terns headline

9th June 2022 – sunny spells ENE3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0615-0815) were led by 3 Black Terns heading out of the bay at 0735hrs. Also seen were 360 Sandwich Tern, 161 Guillemot, 126 Gannet, 76 Manx Shearwater, 63 Razorbill, 42 Common Scoter, 39 Kittiwake, 17 Puffin, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Fulmar, 3 Arctic Tern and 3 Little Tern.
Breeding Birds
Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler now have young and the recently established heronry has had another successful season.
Butterflies and Moths
Two Painted Lady and a Red Admiral were seen and the moth trap held 5 Silver Y while Gold Spot, Archer’s Dart and Smoky Wainscot were all new for the year.

The sea begins to return form

8th June 2022 – overcast/drizzle clearing SSW2/3
Offshore
Morning observations produced 85 Manx Shearwater, 84 Gannet, 64 Sandwich Tern, 29 Common Scoter, 28 Guillemot, 12 Kittiwake, 10 Razorbill, 2 Puffin and a Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 110 Dunlin.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 124 moths of 43 species with Small Square-spot the dominant species and Shears and Straw Dot new for the year.

Even the sea disappoints

4th June 2022 – sunny spells ENE3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0530-0630) produced just 40 Sandwich Tern, 20 Gannet, 15 Guillemot, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Fulmar.
Diurnal Migration
Five Swift moved through and naturalised geese were on the move with 32 Canada Goose and 6 Barnacle Geese logged.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and 4 Raven were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
Two Red Admiral were seen and the moth trap held 116 moths of 27 species with Sandy Carpet, Shoulder-striped Wainscot and Flame all new for the year.

Puffin numbers build

2nd June 2022 – hazy sun/calm then sunny spells ESE1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0630-0830) were led by a total of 18 Puffin heading into the bay. Also seen were 430 Sandwich Tern, 34 Manx Shearwater, 32 Gannet, 29 Common Scoter, 7 Kittiwake and 6 Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was logged.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Dragonflies
Four-spotted Chasers were on the wing in the sunshine.