24th July 2024 – sunny spells rain later V1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 80 Common Scoter, 27 Sandwich Tern and 5 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
The White Wagtail remained and 3 Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat were logged. A Yellow Wagtail was the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 83 Sand Martin and 21 Swallow were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 12 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine and Kestrel were seen.
Mammals
Single Otter and Weasel were seen.
23rd July 2024 – bright and sunny WNW2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 53 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Scoter, 3 Shag and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A White Wagtail was an unusual date and 3 Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1932 Oystercatcher, 1286 Curlew, 259 Redshank, 195 Dunlin, 100 Sanderling, 32 Turnstone, 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
An Osprey was the first of the year.
20th July 2024 – overcast/early drizzle/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 35 Common Scoter, 8 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings involved 4 Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Four Swift and a Grey Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Greenshank.
17th July 2024 – bright and sunny SW1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed a handful of Sandwich Tern and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings involved 5 Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Four Tree Sparrow and a Lesser Redpoll flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1050 Oystercatcher, 100 Redshank, 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains in residence.
16th July 2024 – overcast/showers/calm then WNW4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea (0745-0815) revealed 100 Common Scoter, 23 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 6 Arctic Tern and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 11 Sedge Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler and single Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler. The Cuckoo remains in residence.
Diurnal Migration
Two Grey Wagtail and 2 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 45 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains. A post breeding flock of 160 Linnet were logged and Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were the best of the rest.
Mammals
A Badger provided evidence of overnight activity.
15th July 2024 – bright and sunny V1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea (0700-0800) revealed 150 Common Scoter, 68 Manx Shearwater, 15 Gannet, 12 Sandwich Tern and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Birds on the move involved 4 Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 210 Sand Martin was logged and 3 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Whimbrel were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
Two Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
Immigrants in the moth trap were again limited to Dark Swordgrass and Diamond-back, however the highlight was the first record for Bulrush Comet Limnaecia phragmitella. The first Grayling and Gatekeeper are now on the wing.
14th July 2024 – overcast/showers V1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea (0730-0800) revealed 165 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo remains and other birds on the move involved 3 Willow Warbler and single Grasshopper Warbler, Blackcap and Robin.
Diurnal Migration
Five Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 40 Knot, 8 Turnstone, 6 Greenshank, 2 Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Immigrants in the moth trap were limited to Dark Swordgrass and Diamond-back, however the highlight was the first record for Golden Argent Argyresthia goedartella.
13th July 2024 – overcast/showers V1/2
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Common Scoter, Sandwich Tern, Gannet and Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Further hints of autumn were provided by 6 Willow Warbler and single Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Cuckoo and Redstart.
Diurnal Migration
Three Swift and a Grey Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 2 Teal and a Shoveler while 4 Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe and 3 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains while a Great White Egret and Kingfisher were both unusual.
Butterflies and Moths
Immigrants in the moth trap were limited to Silver Y and Diamond-back.
12th July 2024 – overcast/showers V1/2
Grounded Migrants
Further hints of autumn were provided by 5 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 3 Teal and a Shoveler while 2 Wood Sandpiper were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Immigrants in the moth trap were limited to Dark Swordgrass.
6th July 2024 – overcast/calm then W3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) involved 650 Eider, 150 Common Scoter, 10 Sandwich Tern, 4 Shag and single Gannet and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Hints of autumn were provided by 3 Blackcap, 2 Stonechat and single Chiffchaff, Song Thrush and Robin.
Diurnal Migration
Single Swift and Grey Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The leucistic Curlew remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Several Red Admiral were seen.
2nd July 2024 – overcast/showers NW3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) involved 117 Common Scoter, 36 Sandwich Tern, 6 Gannet, 2 Guillemot and single Mediterranean Gull and Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Little Ringed Plover was the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The “Walney Geranium” is now in bloom.
Butterflies and Moths
Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Common Wainscot and Burnished Brass were the pick of the overnight attractions to the moth trap.
29th June 2024 – overcast/drizzle/rain at times W1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea were again dominated by Common Scoter with 2125 birds logged, also seen were 20 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gannet and a Guillemot. A drake Scaup was off the eastern shore at high tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
Four Wigeon were seen and the leucistic Curlew has returned for another year.
Breeding Birds
Swallow, Sand Martin and Meadow Pipit continue to feed young and both Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler remain well distributed across the island.
Butterflies and Moths
Double square-spot was the pick of the overnight attractions to the moth trap.
27th June 2024 – overcast/showers SW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 380 Common Scoter, 135 Manx Shearwater, 16 Sandwich Tern, 13 Gannet, and single Mediterranean Gull and Little Tern.
26th June 2024 – warm and sunny/calm then ESE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) were dominated by Common Scoter with 505 birds logged, also seen were 56 Sandwich Tern, 46 Manx Shearwater, 9 Gannet, 6 Kittiwake and first-summer Mediterranean Gull.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was again the best of the rest.
Breeding Birds
Predation and disturbance has again proved a concern for ground nesting waders with few young seen.
Butterflies and Moths
Barred Straw the pick of the overnight attractions to the moth trap as numbers continue to increase and a small influx of Red Admiral was apparent
24th June 2024 – warm and sunny E1/2
Offshore
Still quiet over the sea (0730-0830) with only 40 Sandwich Tern, 18 Manx Shearwater and 6 Gannet logged.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was out of season.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains and 2 Greenshank were amongst 30 Redshank.
Breeding Birds
A pair of Goldcrest were observed feeding young – the first breeding record for the island.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Pinion-streaked Snout and Brick were the pick of the overnight attractions to the moth trap as numbers finally increase (85 of 35 species) in the warmer weather with Barred Straw the top species.
23rd June 2024 – overcast/drizzle clearing WNW2/3
Offshore
Still quiet over the sea (0730-0830) with only 50 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Scoter, 8 Manx Shearwater, 6 Gannet and 2 Shag logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains.
Miscellaneous
A Raven was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Ringlet and Narrow-winged Five Spot Burnet are now on the wing and Obscure Wainscot was the pick of the overnight attractions to the moth trap.
22nd June 2024 – bright and sunny WNW2/3
Offshore
Still quiet over the sea (0717-0815) with 81 Common Scoter, 80 Sandwich Tern, 19 Manx Shearwater, 14 Gannet, 8 Kittiwake and 2 Red-breasted Merganser logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains and waders included 50 Knot and 3 Turnstone.
Breeding Birds
A total of 54 House Sparrow pulli have been ringed so far this breeding season – at least one Red Listed species is having a good year locally!
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues its residency, a family group of 4 Raven and both Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were also seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The overnight attraction to the moth trap included Heart and Dart and Flame while Small Skipper are now on the wing.
21st June 2024 – bright and sunny/ rain late SW2/3
Offshore
Still relatively quiet over the sea with just 300 Common Scoter, 100 Sandwich Tern, 28 Manx Shearwater and 6 Gannet logged.
Diurnal Migration
A single Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains.
Breeding Birds
A territorial Goldcrest was still present on the island while both Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher chicks were seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues its residency and 2 Kestrel were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The largest overnight attraction to the moth trap so far this year saw Puss Moth, Poplar Hawkmoth, Ingrailed Clay and Archer’s Dart amongst the sightings which also included several micro species including Black-headed Conch.
20th June 2024 – bright and sunny S1/2
Offshore
Still quiet over the sea with just 30 Common Scoter, 20 Sandwich Tern and 3 Gannet logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains.
Breeding Birds
A territorial Goldcrest is present on the island – the second consecutive year that this species, which has yet to be confirmed as a breeding species, has held territory on the island during the breeding season. House Sparrow, Goldfinch and Greenfinch all have young.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues its residency.
19th June 2024 – bright and sunny SE1
Offshore
Remaining quiet over the sea with just 50 Sandwich Tern, 26 Common Scoter and 6 Gannet logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Goosander were the best of the wildfowl.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a family party of 3 Raven were seen.
Dragonflies
The first Common Darter are now on the wing and Emperor Dragonfly were prominent.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Small Heath was on the wing and moths included an Eyed Hawkmoth.
18th June 2024 – early mizzle clearing W2/3
Offshore
Remaining quiet over the sea with 70 Sandwich Tern, 38 Common Scoter and 33 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Wigeon remains and a female Tufted Duck was escorting 8 chicks.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and is attending three hybrid young and a family party of Jay was seen – continuing the recent trend of breeding on the island.
