28th September 2025 – early mist/fog then sunny spells V1
Grounded Migrants
Birds grounded by the early mist/fog included 24 Goldcrest, 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear and single Cetti’s Warbler, Garden Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 530 Meadow Pipit, 50 Skylark, 30 Chaffinch, 7 Redpoll, 6 Siskin, 5 Tree Sparrow, 4 Coal Tit, 3 Grey Wagtail and 2 Swallow.
Miscellaneous
Hooded Crow, Water Rail, Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest. The island’s “woodland” added 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest and a Treecreeper.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies included a Clouded Yellow and the moth trap held 138 moths of 21 species. Large Yellow Underwing and Lunar Underwing were the dominant species and migrants involved Rusty Dot Pearl, Resh Veneer, Dark Swordgrass and Silver Y while Brick, Feathered Rannunculus and Pale Mottled Willow were new for the year.
27th September 2025 – overcast SE3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea revealed 335 Common Scoter, 77 Gannet, 32 Razorbill, 16 Red-throated Diver, 5 Pintail, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Shag and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Three Redpoll were logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains the best of the rest.
26th September 2025 – bright and sunny E2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 20 Common Scoter, 7 Shag and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 5 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 480 Pink-footed Goose, 240 Meadow Pipit, 80 Jackdaw, 80 Skylark, 40 Chaffinch, 30 Siskin, 26 Swallow, 22 Pied Wagtail, 20 Linnet, 10 Coal Tit, 4 Redpoll and a Tree Sparrow.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies involved Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral, Small White, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown and Comma.
25th September 2025 – bright and sunny V1/2
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds included 14 Robin, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 800 Pink-footed Goose, 330 Meadow Pipit, 30 Chaffinch, 30 Skylark, 18 Swallow, 10 Pied Wagtail, 3 Redpoll and single Grey Wagtail and Siskin.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrants in the moth trap involved Dark Swordgrass and Rush Veneer.
24th September 2025 – sunny spells E1/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 32 Shag, 12 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver and 4 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds included 18 Robin, 12 Blue Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and single Grasshopper Warbler and Great Tit.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 1100 Pink-footed Goose, 220 Meadow Pipit, 55 Linnet, 30 Swallow, 30 Skylark, 4 Grey Wagtail, 3 Redpoll and a Siskin.
Miscellaneous
Two Kestrel and single Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrants in the moth trap involved Dark Swordgrass and Rush Veneer while Sallow was new for the year.
23rd September 2025 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed a flotilla of 44 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Totals included 17 Wren, 14 Robin, 8 Dunnock, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Blue Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit and single Goldcrest, Great Tit, Wheatear and Stonechat.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 325 Meadow Pipit, 220 Pink-footed Goose, 70 Skylark, 35 Chaffinch, 18 Pied Wagtail, 10 Siskin, 6 Redpoll and single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow and Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 153 light-bellied birds and waders included 12 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Marsh Harrier put in another appearance and 30 Little Egret were seen. The island’s “woodland” added 22 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Great Spotted Woodpecker
22nd September 2025 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 5000 Eider, 33 Shag, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The were few grounded birds in the clear conditions with just 8 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff and a Wheatear logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 320 Pink-footed Goose, 320 Meadow Pipit, 70 Swallow, 65 Chaffinch, 60 Skylark, 8 Siskin, 6 Grey Wagtail and 3 Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock increased to 133 light-bellied birds and waders included 400 Turnstone, 10 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Three Raven were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies are still on the wing despite the recent torrential rain with Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Comma, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Small Copper and Wall Brown all logged.
21st September 2025 – bright and sunny NNW2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 100 Common Scoter, 30 Shag, 10 Gannet, 7 Shag and 3 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Totals included 35 Goldcrest, 26 Robin, 25 Wheatear, 10 Chiffchaff, 5 Stonechat and single Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 1420 Pink-footed Goose, 320 Meadow Pipit, 80 Skylark, 45 Chaffinch, 41 Swallow, 9 Siskin, 5 Whooper Swan and 4 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 12 Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Merlin, Peregrine and the resident Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Migrants in the light trap involved 7 Pearly Underwing, 7 Dark Swordgrass and single Rush Veneer and Rusty Dot Pearl.
20th September 2025 – overcast/rain clearing then rain N1/2
Offshore
The Grey Phalarope remained, albeit elusively, off the eastern shore and a later than usual seawatch (1300-1400) added 60 Common Scoter, 45 Red-throated Diver, 7 Sandwich Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, 2 Common Tern and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
The best movement for a while provided 15 Robin, 10 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, 5 White Wagtail and a Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 10280 Pink-footed Goose, 600 Meadow Pipit, 80 Swallow, 12 Chaffinch, 10 Siskin, 2 House Martin and a Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
19th September 2025 – overcast/rain SSW3/5
Offshore
A couple of checks of the sea during the drier interludes were highlighted by a Grey Phalarope off the eastern shore along with 3 Shag, 2 Guillemot, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich Tern and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear and single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 15 Greenshank along with 2 Curlew Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders. The Brent Goose flock has increased to 73 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least 71 Little Egret were along the eastern shore and 2 Peregrine and the resident Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
18th September 2025 – overcast/rain later WSW3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea on the rising tide (0700-0800) produced 142 Common Scoter, 41 Shag, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Gannet, 5 Sandwich tern, 5 Guillemot and 5 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 3 Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrest were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 250 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 18 Pied Wagtail, 6 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pink-footed Goose and a Stock Dove.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 12 light-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 6 Dark Swordgrass and 2 Rush Veneer.
17th September 2025 – overcast/rain clearingESE4/5 then SW3/5
Offshore
Extended observations over the sea were led by four Leach’s Petrel and single Grey Phalarope and Black Guillemot, along with 35 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet, 3 Shag and single Arctic Tern and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Five Wheatear were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Curlew Sandpiper and 12 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Dragonflies
Migrant Hawker remain on the wing despite the conditions.
16th September 2025 – overcast/showers then sunny spells W4/6
Offshore
Observations over a calmer sea on the falling tide (0700-1000) produced 230 Common Scoter, 16 Sandwich Tern, 10 Guillemot, 8 Gannet, 6 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Razorbill and 2 Leach’s Petrel. Later observations added another Leach’s Petrel.
Grounded Migrants
A Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail were amongst 12 Pied Wagtail and 2 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff were also seen.
Diurnal Migration
The first Pink-footed Goose of the autumn flew through and an Osprey drifted over the island mid-morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Curlew Sandpiper was logged.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held the first Black Rustic of the year.
15th September 2025 – overcast/rain WSW6/8 gusting to 51 mph
Offshore
Observations over a turbulent sea between the rain (1100-1200 & 1600-1700) produced just 12 Common Scoter, 5 Gannet, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Razorbill, 2 Arctic Skua and single Manx Shearwater and Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock has increased to 30 light-bellied birds.
14th September 2025 – overcast SW2/3 then SE4/6
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 20 Common Scoter, 18 Shag, 10 Gannet and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
A few birds were newly arrived with 12 Robin, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 White Wagtail and single Cetti’s Warbler and Wheatear logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals included 100 Meadow Pipit, 20 Grey Wagtail and 10 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.
12th September 2025 – sun and showers W4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0900) produced 665 Common Scoter, 16 Gannet, 12 Razorbill, 8 Shag, 4 Guillemot, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Kittiwake and single Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Chiffchaff.
11th September 2025 – sun and showers WSW4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-1000) were highlighted by a Black Tern heading into the bay at 0840hrs along with 660 Common Scoter, 95 Gannet, 12 Razorbill, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Guillemot, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Shag, 3 Manx Shearwater, 2 Kittiwake and a Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock has increased to 23 light-bellied birds.
10th September 2025 – sunny spells/rain later SE4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 83 Common Scoter, 20 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 7 Razorbill, 4 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Shoveler.
Grounded Migrants
Two Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail were amongst 20 Pied Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaff; 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Goldcrest were also seen.
Diurnal Migration
Totals included 110 Swallow, 90 Meadow Pipit, 2 Siskin and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 103 moths of 21 species with migrants represented by 7 Rusty Dot Pearl, 3 Dark Swordgrass and an Olive Tree Pearl, while Square-spot Rustic was the dominant species.
9th September 2025 – sunny spells SE3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 110 Common Scoter, 32 Gannet, 23 Shag, 6 Razorbill, 6 Sandwich Tern, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Four White Wagtail and single Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Wheatear were seen.
Diurnal Migration
Totals included 140 Swallow, 140 Meadow Pipit, 10 Pied Wagtail, 6 Grey Wagtail and a Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 404 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 11 light-bellied Brent Goose and 3 Pintail while waders included 4,230 Oystercatcher, 1,420 Redshank, 1,139 Curlew, 367 Turnstone, 144 Ringed Plover, 51 Golden Plover, 44 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A total of 18 Grey Heron was amongst at least 50 Little Egret and the resident Hooded Crow and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
8th September 2025 – sun and heavy showers WSW2/4
Rarities
The surprise of the day involved a first-year Turtle Dove found grounded following a particularly heavy shower.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 635 Common Scoter, 49 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
At least 6 White Wagtail and 2 Yellow Wagtail were amongst 40 Pied Wagtail and 6 Chiffchaff and a Wheatear were also seen.
Diurnal Migration
Totals included 3 Grey Wagtail and a Marsh Harrier.
Miscellaneous
A Great White Egret was amongst 18 Little Egret and the Hooded Crow was the best of the rest. The island's "woodland" held Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 129 moths of 31 species with migrants represented by 26 Rusty Dot Pearl, 3 Rush Veneer and a Dark Swordgrass.
7th September 2025 – overcast/showers then rain ESE4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 625 Common Scoter, 52 Gannet, 38 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 2 Arctic Skua and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Wheatear was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first 11 light-bellied Brent Geese have returned and waders included 26 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
6th September 2025 – overcast ESE3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0800-0900) produced 333 Common Scoter, 27 Gannet, 9 Sandwich Tern, 7 Shag, 3 Manx Shearwater, 3 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and single Arctic Skua, Red-throated Diver and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail and single Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 110 Meadow Pipit, 80 Swallow, 11 Grey Wagtail and single Swift, Siskin and Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.
Mammals
A pod of 6 Bottle-nosed Dolphin was feeding offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 143 moths of 33 species with migrants represented by 32 Rusty Dot Pearl and single Small Mottled Willow, Rush Veneer and Silver Y. In addition, the micro Small Red Slender would appear to the first record for the island.
4th September 2025 – overcast/showers V1
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 73 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Birds were on the move with 21 Robin, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 White Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 3 Goldcrest and single Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning involved 140 Swallow, 30 Meadow Pipit, 25 Grey Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit and a Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Teal flock has increased to 170 birds and waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Two Peregrine were the best of the rest
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 412 moths of 45 species with migrants represented by 255 Rusty Dot Pearl, 3 Diamond-backed Moth, 2 Silver Y, 2 Rush Veneer and a single Small Mottled Willow – the latter the first of the year.
2nd September 2025 – sun and showers SSW2/3
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed just 15 Common Scoter and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Warblers involved 3 Whitethroat while single Stonechat and Wheatear were also logged.
Diurnal Migration
Six Grey Wagtail and a Tree Pipit flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first 6 Shelduck have returned from their moult grounds and waders included 1100 Ringed Plover, 900 Dunlin, 46 Grey Plover, 10 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 148 moths of 36 species with migrants represented by 19 Rusty Dot Pearl, 4 Dark Sword-grass and 2 Silver Y.
