25th July 2026 – overcast/showers W4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0800) produced 220 Manx Shearwater, 90 Sandwich Tern, 56 Common Scoter, 42 Gannet, 10 Guillemot, 2 Little Tern and single Great Crested Grebe, Fulmar and Black Guillemot.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 161 moths of 43 species with White-line Dart the dominant species while highlights included Archer’s Dart, Southern Wainscot, Shore Wainscot, Small Mottled Willow, Rusty Dot Pearl and Rush Veneer.
Greenshank numbers begin to build
23rd July 2026 – sunny spells WNW3/5
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 30 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Single Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler were amongst 6 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Two Collared Dove were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Goosander were logged and waders included 160 Redshank, 38 Turnstone, 26 Greenshank, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and single Whimbrel and Little Ringed Plover.
Breeding Birds
Perhaps 6-7 pairs of Swift have bred on the island this year.
Miscellaneous
Finch flocks are beginning to build with a total of 270 Linnet were recorded.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted Small Mottled Willow, Archer’s Dart, Shore Wainscot and Rusty Dot Pearl.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 30 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Single Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler were amongst 6 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Two Collared Dove were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Goosander were logged and waders included 160 Redshank, 38 Turnstone, 26 Greenshank, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and single Whimbrel and Little Ringed Plover.
Breeding Birds
Perhaps 6-7 pairs of Swift have bred on the island this year.
Miscellaneous
Finch flocks are beginning to build with a total of 270 Linnet were recorded.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted Small Mottled Willow, Archer’s Dart, Shore Wainscot and Rusty Dot Pearl.
Spotted Redshank and Osprey
22nd July 2026 – overcast WNW3/5
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 10 Sandwich Tern 2 Common Scoter and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 27 Whitethroat, 17 Sedge Warbler and 8 Willow Warbler were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included Little Ringed Plover and Spotted Redshank.
Breeding Birds
Linnet and Greenfinch appear to have had a reasonable breeding season
Miscellaneous
An Osprey fishing off the eastern shore was the first this year.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced just 10 Sandwich Tern 2 Common Scoter and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Totals of 27 Whitethroat, 17 Sedge Warbler and 8 Willow Warbler were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included Little Ringed Plover and Spotted Redshank.
Breeding Birds
Linnet and Greenfinch appear to have had a reasonable breeding season
Miscellaneous
An Osprey fishing off the eastern shore was the first this year.
French ringed Willow Warbler
21st July 2026 – overcast W2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 15 Common Scoter, 15 Sandwich Tern and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Five Yellow Wagtail, 7 Willow Warbler and the lingering Cuckoo were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
Oystercatcher appear to have had a reasonable breeding season
Ringing
A Willow Warbler was initially ringed on 24th August 2025 at Gannedel, Chapelle-de-Brain, Ille-et-Vilaine, France (713km S) .
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 15 Common Scoter, 15 Sandwich Tern and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Five Yellow Wagtail, 7 Willow Warbler and the lingering Cuckoo were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 4 Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
Oystercatcher appear to have had a reasonable breeding season
Ringing
A Willow Warbler was initially ringed on 24th August 2025 at Gannedel, Chapelle-de-Brain, Ille-et-Vilaine, France (713km S) .
Red-throated Diver and Cuckoo
20th July 2026 – warm and sunny WNW2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 20 Sandwich Tern, 3 Gannet and an early returning Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Cuckoo was seen and 3 Yellow Wagtail were amongst 10 Pied Wagtail while 4 Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 50 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin and 2 House Martin were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Turnstone, 2 Greenshank and single Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Four Raven were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 138 moths of 48 species including Small Mottled Willow, Archer’s Dart, Fen Wainscot and Small Rufous.
Dragonflies
There are now 15 Small Red-eyed Damselflies present and the first Migrant Hawker has appeared.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 20 Sandwich Tern, 3 Gannet and an early returning Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Cuckoo was seen and 3 Yellow Wagtail were amongst 10 Pied Wagtail while 4 Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 50 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin and 2 House Martin were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Turnstone, 2 Greenshank and single Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Four Raven were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 138 moths of 48 species including Small Mottled Willow, Archer’s Dart, Fen Wainscot and Small Rufous.
Dragonflies
There are now 15 Small Red-eyed Damselflies present and the first Migrant Hawker has appeared.
Cuckoo heads south
17th July 2026 – warm and sunny E2/4
Grounded Migrants
Three Yellow Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler and a Cuckoo were logged.
Miscellaneous
A total of 10 Raven were logged along with the long-staying Hooded Crow.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 247 moths of 61 species with Rosy Minor and Dingy Footman the top species while Southern Wainscot, Fen Wainscot and Shore Wainscot were the highlights. Immigrants involved Silver Y, Dark Swordgrass and Diamond-back Moth
Grounded Migrants
Three Yellow Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler and a Cuckoo were logged.
Miscellaneous
A total of 10 Raven were logged along with the long-staying Hooded Crow.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 247 moths of 61 species with Rosy Minor and Dingy Footman the top species while Southern Wainscot, Fen Wainscot and Shore Wainscot were the highlights. Immigrants involved Silver Y, Dark Swordgrass and Diamond-back Moth
Little Ringed Plover
16th July 2026 – hot and sunny WNW1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 250 Sandwich Tern, 7 Gannet and 5 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Five Yellow Wagtail were amongst 38 Pied Wagtail and 2 Willow Warbler were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2597 Oystercatcher, 1780 Curlew, 254 Redshank, 196 Dunlin, 50 Sanderling, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Greenshank, 11 Whimbrel and single Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A total of 31 Little Egret, 2 Raven and 2 Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Dragonflies
Another Lesser Emperor and at least 4 Red-veined Darter were seen; however, the highlight was 8 Small Red-eyed Damselflies – the first Cumbrian record.
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 250 Sandwich Tern, 7 Gannet and 5 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Five Yellow Wagtail were amongst 38 Pied Wagtail and 2 Willow Warbler were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2597 Oystercatcher, 1780 Curlew, 254 Redshank, 196 Dunlin, 50 Sanderling, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Greenshank, 11 Whimbrel and single Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A total of 31 Little Egret, 2 Raven and 2 Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Dragonflies
Another Lesser Emperor and at least 4 Red-veined Darter were seen; however, the highlight was 8 Small Red-eyed Damselflies – the first Cumbrian record.
Mediterranean Gull and Yellow Wagtail
14th July 2026 – hot and sunny/calm
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 330 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet and a Mediterranean Gull.
Diurnal Migration
Five Swift and a Yellow Wagtail were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 230 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and a Whimbrel and a Goosander was seen.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 330 Common Scoter, 26 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet and a Mediterranean Gull.
Diurnal Migration
Five Swift and a Yellow Wagtail were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 230 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and a Whimbrel and a Goosander was seen.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Mediterranean Gulls
13th July 2026 – hot and sunny ENE2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 350 Common Scoter, 147 Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet, 5 Manx Shearwater and 2 Mediterranean Gull.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was new in.
Diurnal Migration
Single Swift and Grey Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 42 Dunlin, 26 Sanderling and 6 Grey Plover.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies included 20 Red Admiral and 2 Painted Lady while immigrants in the moth trap involved a Small Mottled Willow.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 350 Common Scoter, 147 Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet, 5 Manx Shearwater and 2 Mediterranean Gull.
Grounded Migrants
A Willow Warbler was new in.
Diurnal Migration
Single Swift and Grey Wagtail flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 42 Dunlin, 26 Sanderling and 6 Grey Plover.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies included 20 Red Admiral and 2 Painted Lady while immigrants in the moth trap involved a Small Mottled Willow.
Yellow Wagtails
12th July 2026 – hot and sunny NE2/4
Grounded Migrants
Two Yellow Wagtail were amongst 21 Pied Wagtail and a Reed Warbler was new in.
Diurnal Migration
Five Swift were amongst 100 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper amongst 150 redshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Grounded Migrants
Two Yellow Wagtail were amongst 21 Pied Wagtail and a Reed Warbler was new in.
Diurnal Migration
Five Swift were amongst 100 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper amongst 150 redshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Kingfisher new for the year
11th July 2026 – hot and sunny E2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0645-0745) produced 94 Common Scoter, 67 Sandwich Tern, 66 Manx Shearwater, 7 Gannet and 3 Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Kingfisher was new for the year.
Butterflies and Moths
The Small Blue remains and 6 Grayling were logged.
Dragonflies
Although there was no sign of the Lesser Emperor, dragonflies remained prominent in the sunshine with 6 Red-veined Dater amongst 50 Common Blue Damselfly, 33 Black-tailed Skimmer, 22 Emperor Dragonfly, 10 Emerald Damselfly, 5 Four-spot Chaser, 4 Common Darter and 2 Brown Hawker.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0645-0745) produced 94 Common Scoter, 67 Sandwich Tern, 66 Manx Shearwater, 7 Gannet and 3 Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Shoveler were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Kingfisher was new for the year.
Butterflies and Moths
The Small Blue remains and 6 Grayling were logged.
Dragonflies
Although there was no sign of the Lesser Emperor, dragonflies remained prominent in the sunshine with 6 Red-veined Dater amongst 50 Common Blue Damselfly, 33 Black-tailed Skimmer, 22 Emperor Dragonfly, 10 Emerald Damselfly, 5 Four-spot Chaser, 4 Common Darter and 2 Brown Hawker.
Coot new for the year
10th July 2026 – misty start then warm and sunny/ calm
Diurnal Migration
Single Grey Wagtail and Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Snipe and a Coot was new for the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A Small Blue was the first island record and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen.
Dragonflies
A Lesser Emperor Dragonfly was logged amongst 40 Black-tailed Skimmer.
Diurnal Migration
Single Grey Wagtail and Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Snipe and a Coot was new for the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
A Small Blue was the first island record and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen.
Dragonflies
A Lesser Emperor Dragonfly was logged amongst 40 Black-tailed Skimmer.
Greenshank begin to increase
9th July 2026 – misty start then warm and sunny/ calm
Diurnal Migration
Single Grey Wagtail and Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Diurnal Migration
Single Grey Wagtail and Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Spoonbill flies through
8th July 2026 – warm and sunny W1/2
Diurnal Migration
A Spoonbill flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included single Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Diurnal Migration
A Spoonbill flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included single Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Arctic Skuas
7th July 2026 – overcast W2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 160 Sandwich Tern, 29 Gannet, 28 Manx Shearwater, 28 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Breeding Birds
A male Stonechat was attending 4 juveniles and 2 juvenile Pheasant were seen.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 160 Sandwich Tern, 29 Gannet, 28 Manx Shearwater, 28 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Tern and 2 Arctic Skua.
Breeding Birds
A male Stonechat was attending 4 juveniles and 2 juvenile Pheasant were seen.
First autumnal Whimbrel
5th July 2026 – overcast/early rain/drizzle W2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 100 Sandwich Tern, 14 Common Scoter, 8 Manx Shearwater, 4 Gannet and a Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Gadwall remains and waders included 5 Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel and the returning white Curlew.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 100 Sandwich Tern, 14 Common Scoter, 8 Manx Shearwater, 4 Gannet and a Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Gadwall remains and waders included 5 Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel and the returning white Curlew.
More waders
2nd July 2026 – overcast/showers WNW6/8
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 40 Manx Shearwater 25 Sandwich Tern, 18 Common Scoter and 12 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Gadwall remains and waders included 5 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Grounded Migrants
A Grey Wagtail was logged.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 40 Manx Shearwater 25 Sandwich Tern, 18 Common Scoter and 12 Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Gadwall remains and waders included 5 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Grounded Migrants
A Grey Wagtail was logged.
More Black-tailed Godwits
1st July 2026 – overcast/rain later W3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 450 Common Scoter, 44 Sandwich Tern, 2 Gannet and 2 Arctic Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Gadwall remains and waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The family group of 5 Raven remain.
Breeding Birds
Broods of Shelduck, Mallard and Eider have now emerged and Sedge Warbler are feeding recently fledged young.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 450 Common Scoter, 44 Sandwich Tern, 2 Gannet and 2 Arctic Tern.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Gadwall remains and waders included 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The family group of 5 Raven remain.
Breeding Birds
Broods of Shelduck, Mallard and Eider have now emerged and Sedge Warbler are feeding recently fledged young.
Black-tailed Godwits
28th June 2026 – early rain then sunny spells SW3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 152 Sandwich Tern, 72 Manx Shearwater, 55 Common Scoter, 31 Gannet and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 37 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a family group of 5 Raven were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 110 moths of 46 species with Cresent Striped and Small Mottled Willow the highlights. Butterflies included the first Grayling and Dark Green Fritillary of the year.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies remain prominent in the sunshine with seven species including 2 Red-veined Darters seen.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 152 Sandwich Tern, 72 Manx Shearwater, 55 Common Scoter, 31 Gannet and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 37 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a family group of 5 Raven were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted 110 moths of 46 species with Cresent Striped and Small Mottled Willow the highlights. Butterflies included the first Grayling and Dark Green Fritillary of the year.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies remain prominent in the sunshine with seven species including 2 Red-veined Darters seen.
Breeding Little Egrets
27th June 2026 – warm and sunny after overcast start E2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 90 Common Scoter, 11 Sandwich Tern, 9 Gannet and an Arctic Skua.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Little Egret were observed feeding two almost fledged juveniles in the nest – the first breeding record for the island.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies remain prominent in the sunshine with 3 Red-veined Darters now present.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 90 Common Scoter, 11 Sandwich Tern, 9 Gannet and an Arctic Skua.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Little Egret were observed feeding two almost fledged juveniles in the nest – the first breeding record for the island.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies remain prominent in the sunshine with 3 Red-veined Darters now present.
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