13th August 2018 – overcast/mist/murk WNW2/3/4
Offshore
Sightings over the sea were led by a juvenile Black Guillemot and Mediterranean Gull along with 40 Common Scoter, 34 Sandwich Tern and 28 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Little evidence of movement was noted with just 4 Whitethroat and 2 Willow Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 300 Sanderling, 7 Whimbrel and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
An adult Mediterranean Gull amongst 100 Black-headed Gull and 2 Merlin were the best of the rest.
Dragonflies
Migrant Hawkers are now on the wing.
12th August 2018 – early rain clearing SSE2
Offshore
A check of the sea on the rising tide as the rain cleared (0750-0950) produced 223 Manx Shearwater, 128 Gannet, 32 Sandwich Tern, 9 Common Scoter and 6 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 5 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler and single Cuckoo and Whinchat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Whimbrel.
Moths
A Dark Sword-grass provided evidence of immigration.
11th August 2018 – sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
The sea provided 510 Sandwich Tern, 59 Manx Shearwater, 35 Common Scoter, 24 Common Scoter and 4 Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo continues to linger and a Whinchat was amongst 15 Stonechat. Additional sightings included 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat and 3 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A hint of movement was provided by 5 Tree Pipit and single Grey Wagtail and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Although 100 Swallow and 24 Sand Martin were logged there was little evidence that hirundines were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1260 Curlew, 400 Sanderling, 240 Turnstone, 12 Greenshank, 11 Whimbrel and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret numbers continue to increase with 30 birds logged. Also seen were 2 Peregrine.
10th August 2018 – heavy showers clearing WNW3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 120 Sandwich Tern, 104 Common Scoter, 60 Manx Shearwater and 24 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders were well represented with 1962 Curlew, 800 Knot, 540 Redshank, 270 Sanderling, 88 Grey Plover, 36 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Peregrine and Little Owl were logged.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Bar-tailed Godwit was seen, the first control for this species on the island.
9th August 2018 – sunny spells SW2
Offshore
A flock of 22 Little Tern were noted at high tide.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat was amongst 8 Stonechat and additional sightings involved 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 6 Wheatear and 2 Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Garganey remains amongst 11 Teal and waders included 14 Greenshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel.
Butterflies and Moths
Three Painted Lady were logged.
6th August 2018 – overcast SW2
Offshore
An evening check of the sea revealed 84 Manx Shearwater, 69 Common Scoter, 7 Gannet and 7 Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A light scattering produced 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat and single Wheatear and Cuckoo.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 14 House Martin and a total of three Swift were amongst a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Greenshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin targeted a flock of 300 Linnet.
Butterflies and Moths
A total of 80 Wall Brown were logged and a Frosted Orange was the first of the year.
5th August 2018 – early cloud/mist then bright and sunny V1
Offshore
Morning observations over calm seas (0700-0745) provided the first 2 Shag of the autumn along with 88 Common Scoter, 20 Sandwich Tern, 10 Little Tern, 10 Gannet and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Again a flurry of activity was noted with 12 Sedge Warbler, 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Cuckoo.
Diurnal Migration
A juvenile Marsh Harrier circled over the island at 1345hrs. Additional sightings were limited to 3 Tree Pipit and a single House Martin amongst a few Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Garganey remains amongst 6 Teal, waders included 6 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpiper and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Single Water Rail and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Moths
A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was the highlight amongst a small overnight attraction.
4th August 2018 – sunny spells NW1/3
Offshore
Morning observations included 221 Common Scoter, 63 Sandwich Tern, 23 Manx Shearwater, 12 Gannet and 6 Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A real hint that autumn is upon us with sightings led by 2 Pied Flycatchers. Also seen were 22 Willow Warbler, 7 Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and single Cuckoo, Whinchat, Wheatear and Lesser Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Single Grey Wagtail and Tree Pipit were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Garganey remains amongst 14 Teal, waders included 17 Golden Plover, 10 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Woodland species less frequently seen on the island included 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Jay and single Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper.
Moths
There was an autumnal feel to the moths with Hedge Rustic, Rosy Rustic and Square-spot Rustic attracted overnight.
1st August 2018 – sunny start then showers SSW2/1
Grounded Migrants
A few Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler were the only evidence of migration.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Garganey amongst 8 Teal was newly arrived and 2 Whimbrel were logged.
Miscellaneous
A white bird is amongst the large post-breeding flock of Starlings touring the island.
