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.
17th June 2024 – early mizzle clearing W2/3
Offshore
Remaining quiet over the sea with 70 Sandwich Tern, 61 Common Scoter, 5 Manx Shearwater, 4 Guillemot, 3 Gannet and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
The Chiffchaff remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and is attending three hybrid young.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Meadow Brown was on the wing and day flying moths included Mother Shipton and Six Spot Burnet.
16th June 2024 – sun and showers WNW2/4
Offshore
Two Arctic Tern were the highlight of another quiet morning over the sea.
Grounded Migrants
A Song Thrush was likely a product of post-breeding dispersal; however, a Chiffchaff was less easy to define.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and is now attending two hybrid young.
Butterflies and Moths
A bit more activity around the moth trap saw 74 moths of 33 species, although the first island record of Sycamore the highlight. A southern species, it appears there is just one unconfirmed Cumbrian record from 2016.
15th June 2024 – overcast with thundery showers E2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced just 100 Sandwich Tern, 19 Manx Shearwater, 18 Common Scoter, 7 Gannet, and 3 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering Wigeon remains and the first Teal reappeared, waders included 640 Knot and 2 Greenshank amongst 20 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow was still present and 4 Raven were logged.
14th June 2024 – overcast/rain then sunny spells
Offshore
Another quiet morning over the sea saw just 50 Sandwich Tern, 43 Common Scoter, 11 Gannet and 5 Manx Shearwater logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was the best of the rest. Bee Orchids are now in bloom on the island.
Dragonflies
The first Black-tailed Skimmers of the year were seen.
13th June 2024 – sunny spells/rain later SE3/6
Offshore
A quiet morning over the sea saw just 50 Manx Shearwater, 45 Sandwich Tern, 29 Common Scoter and 6 Gannet logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 115 Canada Goose and 3 Greylag Goose flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering drake Wigeon remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
12th June 2024 – sunny spells W2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0515-0615) provided 365 Common Scoter, 190 Sandwich Tern, 40 Guillemot, 18 Gannet, 9 Kittiwake, 3 Puffin, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua and a Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Wigeon remains and waders included 30 Knot and 14 Sanderling.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The cold overnight temperatures have significantly reduced attractions to the moth trap with an Ingrailed Clay new for the year.
7th June 2024 – sunny spells WSW3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) provided 325 Sandwich Tern, 60 Common Scoter, 22 Guillemot, 21 Gannet, 14 Kittiwake, 2 Arctic Skua and a Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Wigeon remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Large Skipper are now on the wing.
6th June 2024 – sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed just 36 Sandwich Tern, 33 Common Scoter and an Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
The drake Wigeon remains and waders included 2160 Knot, 1427 Oystercatcher, 411 Sanderling, 10 Grey Plover and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
5th June 2024 – sunny spells W4/6
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0700-0800) revealed just 36 Sandwich Tern, 46 Kittiwake, 15 Guillemot, 14 Gannet, 7 Common Scoter and 2 Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Wigeon remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
4th June 2024 – overcast/showers then rain SW4/6
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0700-0800) produced 188 Sandwich Tern, 150 Manx Shearwater, 76 Common Scoter, 52 Gannet, 25 Guillemot, 14 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2500 Knot, 12 Grey Plover and 4 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
Large post-breeding flocks of Starling are already starting to develop with 1250 birds logged.
Butterflies and Moths
A Brown China Mark was the highlight in the moth trap.
3rd June 2024 – overcast/showers NW4
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0700-0800) included 148 Common Scoter, 60 Sandwich Tern, 46 Guillemot, 32 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater, 6 Kittiwake and a Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Wigeon appears to be summering and a Whimbrel was seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
2nd June 2024 – bright and sunny NW4
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0630-0730) included 80 Common Scoter, 30 Sandwich Tern, 8 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 3 Puffin, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo remains.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1280 Knot and 205 Sanderling.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
The first Eiderling creche was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
A Figure of Eighty was the highlight in the moth trap.
1st June 2024 – sunny spells/calm
Offshore
Sightings over the sea (0700-0800) included 2100 Common Scoter, 46 Sandwich Tern, 31 Gannet, 5 Manx Shearwater, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Arctic Tern and single Little Tern and Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A Cuckoo was logged and was perhaps the first evidence of return passage.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and House Martin continue to trickle through and a Grey Wagtail was out of season.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Wigeon were logged and waders included 1250 Knot and 60 Sanderling.
Breeding Birds
After an absence of several years House Martins were welcomed back to the island as a breeding species. At least four Reed Warbler are holding territory along with a Cetti’s Warbler.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
A Fox was an unwelcome sighting for the island’s ground nesting species.
