21st July 2025 – sunny spells/humid SW1/2
Offshore
A scan over the sea produced 15 Common Scoter, 10 Sandwich Tern and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 5 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler and 5 Whitethroat were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Swift flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were the best of the rest.
20th July 2025 – overcast/showers then rain E2/4
Offshore
A scan over the sea produced 240 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 12 Pied Wagtail, 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler and single Reed Warbler and Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 6 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The juvenile Red-breasted Merganser and a few juvenile Eider continue to survive. Waders included 3 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A total of 181 moths of 47 species were attracted to the light overnight with Dingy Footman the dominant species.
19th July 2025 – overcast/showers V1
Offshore
A scan over the sea produced 20 Sandwich Tern, 18 Common Scoter, 8 Gannet and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 22 Pied Wagtail, 10 Sedge Warbler, 8 Whitethroat and single Willow Warbler and Robin were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 80 Sand Martin gathered over the island and 3 Yellow Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 22 Dunlin and a Whimbrel.
18th July 2025 – overcast/warm and humid W1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced just 80 Sandwich Tern, 11 Gannet, 7 Manx Shearwater, 7 Common Scoter and single Arctic Tern and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 7 Sedge Warbler, 6 Whitethroat and single Grasshopper Warbler and Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 110 Swift gathered over the island.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Red-crested Pochard was a surprise and waders included 200 Dunlin, 50 Sanderling, 6 Whimbrel and 2 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
The family group of Raven remain and a Mediterranean Gull roosted along the eastern shore.
Butterflies and Moths
Mother of Pearl was the dominant species attracted to the light trap while Shore Wainscot and Cloaked Minor were new for the year.
17th July 2025 – overcast/warm and humid SE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced just 110 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 8 Gannet and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 22 Pied Wagtail, 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and single Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Grey Wagtail and single Redpoll and Yellow Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Dunlin, 6 Greenshank and the first Snipe of the autumn.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrants in the light trap involved Dark Swordgrass, Rusty Dot Pearl and Diamond-back while Willow Beauty and Fan Foot were new for the year. An Oak Longhorn was the first observatory record
16th July 2025 – warm and sunny NW3/1
Grounded Migrants
Single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A family group of Raven were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap provided 165 moths of 31 species. Large Yellow Underwing and White-line Dart were the dominant species while Straw Underwing was new for the year.
14th July 2025 – sun and showers S2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 170 Common Scoter, 22 Sandwich Tern, 14 Gannet, 3 Teal, 2 Manx Shearwater and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Single Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Sanderling and single Whimbrel and Knot.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap provided 189 moths of 52 species. Large Yellow Underwing was the dominant species while Small Rufous and Willow Beauty were new for the year.
13th July 2025 – hot with sunny spells E2/4
Offshore
A scan over the sea revealed 60 Sandwich Tern and 8 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 180 Sand Martin, 150 Swallow, 7 Swfit and single Lesser Redpoll and Yellow Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap provided 193 moths of 58 species. Large Yellow Underwing was the dominant species while Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Small Phoenix and Scarce Footman were new for the year.
11th July 2025 – hot and sunny/calm
Offshore
A check over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 150 Sandwich Tern, 55 Manx Shearwater, 43 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet and single Little Tern and Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Great Tit was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Grey Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Pink-footed Geese continue to summer. Waders included 230 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 9 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap provided 109 moths of 40 species. Smoky Wainscot was the dominant species while Rosy Minor was new for the year.
10th July 2025 – misty start then warm and humid SW1/2
Offshore
A total of 50 Sandwich Tern and a Gannet were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Another southbound Willow Warbler was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Pink-footed Geese continue to summer.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap provided 196 moths of 64 species, the highest nighttime total of the year so far. Large Yellow Underwing remained the dominant species while Dot Moth and Fen Wainscot were new for the year.
9th July 2025 – misty start then warm and humid W1/2
Offshore
A total of 300 Sandwich Tern and 31 Gannet were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Another southbound Willow Warbler was logged along with a Lesser Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Oystercatcher, 180 Redshank, 110 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, 3 Turnstone and single Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow reappeared after a period of absence.
8th July 2025 – sunny spells WNW3/4
Offshore
A check over the sea produced just 84 Common Scoter, 52 Sandwich Tern, 11 Gannet and single Arctic Skua and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Another southbound Willow Warbler was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Grey Wagtail flew through.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap provided 98 moths of 37 species. Highlights involved Diamond-back Moth, Silver Y, Hummingbird Hawkmoth and Magpie Moth. The latter was the first of the year while Large Yellow Underwing was the dominant species.
7th July 2025 – light showers clearing NW3/5
Offshore
A check over the sea produced just 20 Gannet, 14 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Scoter and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 55 Dunlin, 14 Black-tailed Godwit and the returning white Curlew.
Miscellaneous
Post-breeding finch flocks included 55 Goldfinch.
6th July 2025 – early rain clearing NW3/5
Grounded Migrants
Two Blue Tit and 2 Whitethroat were the likely product of post-breeding dispersal.
Wildfowl and Waders
The summering light-bellied Brent Goose and Wigeon remain along with 2 Pink-footed Geese while waders included 1000 Oystercatcher, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
The juvenile Red-breasted Merganser continues to beat the odds.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap provided 118 moths of 49 species. Migrants involved a Rusty Dot Pearl, Dark Sword Grass and Silver Y while other highlights Least Yellow Underwing, Wormwood Pug and Box Tree Moth – the latter the first island record.
5th July 2025 – overcast/light showers WSW3/5
Offshore
A check over the sea (0700-0900) revealed the first Storm Petrel of the season along with 100 Sandwich Tern, 74 Gannet, 41 Common Scoter, 9 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Skua and single Red-throated Diver and Mediterranean Gull.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Common Sandpiper and single Whimbrel and Wood Sandpiper.
4th July 2025 – sunny spells/rain later SW3/6
Offshore
A check over the sea revealed just 12 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Further signs of autumn involved another Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Additional waders included 3 Common Sandpiper and single Whimbrel and Wood Sandpiper.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 36 moths of 20 species with Garden Tiger new for the year.
3rd July 2025 – sunny spells W2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea (0700-0800) produced 130 Sandwich Tern, 90 Common Scoter, 19 Gannet, 14 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemot and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Further signs of autumn involved another Chiffchaff.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and single Whimbrel and Wood Sandpiper.
Breeding Birds
Several small Eider creches are now visible.
Butterflies and Moths
Another Painted Lady was logged.
2nd July 2025 – sunny spells WNW3/5
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed just 10 Common Scoter, 4 Gannet and a Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were new in.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Common Sandpiper was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
A Painted Lady was logged and the light trap provided 103 moths of 57 species. Migrants involved a Rusty Dot Pearl and Silver Y while other highlights included Scalloped Oak, Dingy Footman, Dun-bar, Pinion-streaked Snout, Bordered Beauty, Plain Golden Y and Hummingbird Hawkmoth - all new for the year.
