A quiet end to the month

31st August 2022 –sunny spells NE1/2 then E2/3
Offshore
A quick morning check of the sea revealed 7 Shag, 5 Gannet and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Wheatear and single Sedge Warbler, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A quieter day produced 150 Meadow Pipit, 50 Swallow, 12 Tree Sparrow, 10 Sand Martin and 6 Grey Wagtail.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted just 50 moths of 24 species with immigrants involving Rusty Dot Pearl.

Tree Sparrow dominate diurnal migration

30th August 2022 –sunny spells ENE2/3
Offshore
A quick morning check of the sea revealed just 12 Common Scoter, 2 Shag and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Sedge Warbler and single Spotted Flycatcher and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Tree Sparrow dominated with 115 birds logged, additional sightings included 30 Swallow, 21 Grey Wagtail, 6 Tree Pipit and a House Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The juvenile Spotted Redshank remained amongst 20 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow continues its residency while both Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 160 moths of 47 species with immigrants involving Rusty Dot Pearl, Silver Y and Pearly Underwing – the latter the first of the year.

Hard work again!

29th August 2022 – early rain then sunny spells ENE2/3
Offshore
A morning check of the sea revealed just 10 Sandwich Tern, 8 Shag and 5 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A few birds were in evidence with 6 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler and single Whitethroat and Willow Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
Quieter today with just 60 Swallow, 50 Meadow Pipit, 15 Tree Sparrow, 10 Pied Wagtail, 14 Sand Martin, 4 Grey Wagtail and 3 Tree Pipit logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Wigeon were seen and a Whimbrel was recorded amongst the Curlew which also included “luke” the long-returning white bird.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A Painted Lady was amongst a few Red Admiral.

Better!

28th August 2022 – sunny spells NE1/2
Offshore
A morning check of the sea revealed just 14 Sandwich Tern, 7 Shag, 6 Common Scoter, 4 Gannet and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.
Grounded Migrants
A few birds were in evidence with 9 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest and a Spotted Flycatcher logged.
Diurnal Migration
The skies held the majority of the migrants with 1200 Swallow, 140 Meadow Pipit, 120 Sand Martin, 27 Tree Sparrow, 23 Tree Pipit, 22 House Martin, 20 Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail and a Swift recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Wigeon were seen and waders included single Spotted Redshank and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine and 4 Raven were the best of the rest.
Mammals
At least 2 Otter put in an appearance.
Butterflies and Moths
Several Red Admiral were seen and the light trap held 104 moths of 36 species, immigrants involved Rusty Dot Pearl and Silver Y.

Still hard work!

27th August 2022 – overcast then sunny spells NW2/3
Offshore
A morning check of the sea revealed just 50 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler and single Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were again on the move with 110 Swallow, 16 Grey Wagtail, 16 Tree Pipit, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Tree Sparrow and a Yellow Wagtail recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Spotted Redshank remains.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret remain prominent and 6 Raven and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Mammals
The Otter put in an appearance.
Butterflies and Moths
A Painted Lady was amongst a handful of Red Admiral and the moth trap held 122 moths of 44 species, immigrants involved Rusty Dot Pearl and Silver Y.

Hard work!

26th August 2022 – overcast/showers clearing SE2
Offshore
A morning check of the sea revealed just 50 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter and a Mediterranean Gull.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Willow Warbler and single Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move with 6 Tree Pipit, 6 Grey Wagtail, 3 Sand Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and House Martin recorded.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Mammals
Single Red Fox and Hedgehog were logged.
Dragonflies
A few species remain on the wing with Common Darter, Brown Hawker and Common Blue Damselfly all recently seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 229 moths of 55 species, immigrants involved Bordered Straw, Rush Veneer, Rusty Dot Pearl and Silver Y while Frosted Orange and Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing were new for the year.

Spotted Redshank

24th August 2022 – overcast/rain clearing S3 the W3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea as the rain cleared (0800-0900) produced just 60 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 11 Teal, 4 Wigeon – the first of the autumn and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to single Willow Warbler and Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
An influx of Teal was apparent with 120 birds logged while waders included 1200 Dunlin, 300 Ringed Plover, 148 Grey Plover, 3 Whimbrel and a Spotted Redshank – the latter the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was the best of the rest. A Sparrowhawk recently took on a “town” pigeon on the centre of the island, however, there was good news for the pigeon when it remarkably managed to escape.

More pipits

23rd August 2022 – overcast/mist/murk/humid SE1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced just 30 Sandwich Tern, 27 Common Scoter and 23 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 2 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Willow Warbler while 2 Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Early morning movement involved 14 Tree Pipit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 145 moths of 41 species with Sallow new for the year.

Pipits and Wagtails

21st August 2022 – bright and sunny W2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced just 120 Common Scoter, 14 Sandwich Tern, 6 Gannet and single Great Crested Grebe and Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 4 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler and a Sedge Warbler while 3 Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Early morning movement involved 6 Tree Pipit and 4 Yellow Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 12 Greenshank and a single Black-tailed Godwit.
Mammals
Single Harbour Porpoise and Otter were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 130 moths of 36 species with Square-spot Rustic new for the year.

Seawatching conditions

20th August 2022 – overcast/showers later SW5/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-1000) produced 510 Common Scoter, 210 Gannet, 121 Manx Shearwater, 24 Sandwich Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Guillemot and single Arctic Skua and Fulmar.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues its residency.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were logged.

First Red-throated Diver of autumn

19th August 2022 – sunny spells WSW4/5
Offshore
The sea finally perked up (0730-0830) with 320 Common Scoter, 131 Manx Shearwater, 28 Sandwich Tern, 26 Gannet, 5 Fulmar, 4 Kittiwake and single Razorbill and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to single Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included several Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues its residency.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 138 moths of 31 species with Small square-spot the dominant species and Feathered Gothic new for the year.

First Whinchat of autumn

18th August 2022 – overcast S3/4
Offshore
Remaining disappointingly quiet over the sea (0700-0800) with just 40 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 5 Sandwich Tern and single Manx Shearwater and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat appeared and warblers involved single Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Another quiet morning with just 4 Tree Sparrow and 2 Tree Pipit logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included several Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues its residency.

Frustratingly breezy

17th August 2022 – sunny spells ENE3/4
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved single Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Another quiet morning with just 12 Tree Sparrow and 2 Tree Pipit logged amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included several Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 103 moths of 38 species with Tawny-speckled Pug and Mullein Wave new for the year.

First autumnal Spotted Flycatcher

16th August 2022 – sunny spells WNW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations over the sea (0715-0815) revealed 305 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern and single Mediterranean Gull and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher was seen.
Diurnal Migration
Another quiet morning with just a trickle of Swallow logged
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a solitary Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were the best of the rest.

Subdued migration

15th August 2022 – overcast/showers N2/3 then V1
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 20 Sandwich Tern 2 Gannet, 2 Shag and a Mediterranean Gull.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 7 Sedge Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler and 3 Whitethroat and a Wheatear was seen.
Diurnal Migration
A quieter morning with just 50 Swallow, 5 Tree Sparrow and 3 Grey Wagtail logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 12 Greenshank and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 163 moths of 42 species with Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer new for the year.
Dragonflies
Emperor Dragonfly, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter were again all seen in the humid conditions.

Diurnal migration again dominates sightings

14th August 2022 – hot and sunny V1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 30 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler and 2 Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 200 Swallow, 60 Tree Sparrow, 30 Sand Martin, 11 Swift, 8 House Martin, 6 Tree Pipit and a Grey Wagtail were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit and single Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 105 moths of 28 species including what appears to be the first island record of Yellow-tipped Dwarf.

Diurnal migration continues to build

13th August 2022 – hot and sunny E2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 140 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 12 Gannet and 6 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler and a single Wheatear was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 1050 Swallow, 100 Sand Martin, 45 Tree Sparrow, 20 Linnet, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Swift and a House Martin were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2845 Oystercatcher, 1680 Redshank, 1403 Curlew, 324 Turnstone, 105 Sanderling, 50 Ringed Plover, 43 Grey Plover, 38 Golden Plover, 23 Greenshank, 9 Whimbrel, 8 Snipe and single Common Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile Mediterranean Gull again roosted amongst Black-headed Gulls and 58 Little Egret were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 114 moths of 34 species with Flounced Rustic and White-lined Dart the dominant species whilst additional species included Gold Spot and Magpie with the latter new for the year.
Dragonflies
Emperor Dragonfly, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter were all seen.

Diurnal migration begins to build

12th August 2022 – hot and sunny V1
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea revealed 12 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 6 Shag, and 5 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 100 Swallow, 32 Tree Sparrow, 22 Sand Martin, 5 Tree Pipit, 2 House Martin and single Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A juvenile Mediterranean Gull roosted amongst Black-headed Gulls.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 166 moths of 43 species with White-lined Dart still the dominant species whilst Swallow Prominent was new for the year.

Light migration noted

11th August 2022 – warm and sunny V1
Offshore
A flock of 143 Sandwich Tern were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 7 Sand Martin and 3 Tree Pipit were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Greenshank and 2 Whimbrel amongst good numbers of Redshank.
Butterflies and Moths
A couple of Painted Lady were seen.
Mammals
The Otter was seen again.

Tree Pipit abound

10th August 2022 – warm and sunny V1
Offshore
The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was again offshore, chasing Sandwich Terns.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 39 Tree Pipit, 14 Sand Martin, 2 Tree Sparrow and a Yellow Wagtail were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Greenshank and a single Whimbrel.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Cormorant seen yesterday had been ringed as a chick at Hale Duck Decoy, Cheshire on 2nd June 2022.

Mediterranean Gull

9th August 2022 – warm and sunny V1
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) revealed 50 Sandwich Tern, 28 Manx Shearwater, 8 Gannet, 2 Shag, 2 Common Scoter and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull.
Grounded Migrants
Garden Warblers have become increasingly scarce in recent years so 2 birds amongst 16 Willow Warbler, 10 Whitethroat and 4 Sedge Warbler were welcome sightings.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 2 Tree Pipit and 10 Tree Sparrow were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 210 Turnstone and single Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Sandwich Tern seen on 23rd July 2022 had been ringed as a chick at Cemlyn Bay, North Wales on 20th June 2022.

Tree Pipit passage begins to build

8th August 2022 – misty start then sunny spells V1
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler and 2 Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 5 Tree Pipit and 4 Tree Sparrow were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Shoveler was seen and waders included 22 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in an appearance and 2 Merlin were seen.

Hooded Crow still here

7th August 2022 – sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0700-0800) produced slightly more variety than of late with 30 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 9 Gannet, 3 Shag, 3 Little Tern, 2 Arctic Tern and a Guillemot logged.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 2 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a single Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in an appearance and a Water Rail was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 193 moths of 37 species, immigrants involved Silver Y and Rusty Dot Pearl whilst Marbled Beauty was new for the year.
Dragonflies
The first Migrant Hawker are now on the wing.

Wood Sandpiper

6th August 2022 – sunny spells/light showers W2/3
Offshore
Morning observations (0700-0800) produced little of note other than 72 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern and 8 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 6 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 12 Tree Sparrow were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 30 Golden Plover, 18 Greenshank, 13 Whimbrel and a Wood Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Two Peregrine and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Mammals
The long-staying Otter is still in residence.

First Tree Pipit of the autumn

5th August 2022 – sunny spells WNW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0830) produced little of note other than 30 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 2 Whitethroat and single Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A Tree Pipit flew through.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 265 moths of 44 species. Immigrants involved Silver Y and Rusty Dot Pearl while Svenson’s Copper Underwing and Hedge Rustic were new for the year.

First Merlin of the autumn

3rd August 2022 – sunny spells W4/5
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and single Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Common Sandpiper and single Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin chased the local Swallows.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held just 90 moths of 29 species with Canary-shouldered Thorn new for the year.

A quiet start to the month

1st August 2022 – sunny spells, rain by evening V2
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 6 Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 200 moths of 44 species. Immigrants involved Silver Y and Rusty Dot Pearl while Small Wainscot and Mouse Moth were new for the year.