31st May 2009 - bright and sunny ENE3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0700) provided just small numbers of Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Sandwich Tern, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A bizarre assortment of 2 Collared Dove and single Woodpigeon and Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single drake Wigeon and Shoveler continue to linger.
Mammals
At least 3 Hare and a single Stoat were seen.
Velvet Scoter surprise
30th May 2009 - bright and sunny SE3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) were slow with just 11 Razorbill, 11 Guillemot, 10 Sandwich Tern, 6 Gannet, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Kittiwake and a pale phase Arctic Skua logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Velvet Scoter consorting with a small group of Eider was a surprise and both Wigeon and Shoveler were logged. A Black-tailed Godwit was the pick of the waders.
Breeding Birds
A Water Rail remains in suitable breeding habitat and the first broods of Shelducklings have now emerged.
Butterflies and Moths
The influx of Painted Ladies continues unabated with random transect counts locating 185 individuals and suggesting that many 100's and perhaps even 1000's are now scattered across the island, it would appear that the Silver Y is also associated with this influx. The first Small Copper are now on the wing.
Dragonflies
The first Blue-tailed Damselflies are now emerging.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) were slow with just 11 Razorbill, 11 Guillemot, 10 Sandwich Tern, 6 Gannet, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Kittiwake and a pale phase Arctic Skua logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A female Velvet Scoter consorting with a small group of Eider was a surprise and both Wigeon and Shoveler were logged. A Black-tailed Godwit was the pick of the waders.
Breeding Birds
A Water Rail remains in suitable breeding habitat and the first broods of Shelducklings have now emerged.
Butterflies and Moths
The influx of Painted Ladies continues unabated with random transect counts locating 185 individuals and suggesting that many 100's and perhaps even 1000's are now scattered across the island, it would appear that the Silver Y is also associated with this influx. The first Small Copper are now on the wing.
Dragonflies
The first Blue-tailed Damselflies are now emerging.
Bits and Pieces
29th May 2009 - bright and sunny SE3
Offshore
Early morning activity (0800-0900) produced 58 Sandwich Tern, 22 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 10 Manx Shearwater, 2 Red-throated Diver and single pale phase Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Single Whitethroat and Wheatear were evidence of some movement.
Diurnal Migration
A few House Martin continue to pass through.
Butterflies and Moths
Small numbers of Painted Lady continue arrive off the sea and the first Poplar Hawkmoth of the season was recorded.
Offshore
Early morning activity (0800-0900) produced 58 Sandwich Tern, 22 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 10 Manx Shearwater, 2 Red-throated Diver and single pale phase Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Single Whitethroat and Wheatear were evidence of some movement.
Diurnal Migration
A few House Martin continue to pass through.
Butterflies and Moths
Small numbers of Painted Lady continue arrive off the sea and the first Poplar Hawkmoth of the season was recorded.
Seabirds continue to provide main interest
28th May 2009 - overcast/drizzle at times SW3/4
Offshore
Morning sightings (0830-0930) included 68 Sandwich Tern, 49 Gannet, 19 Kittiwake, 15 Manx Shearwater, 14 Guillemot, 2 Common Tern and a single dark phase Arctic Skua.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and House Martin are still moving through.
Butterflies
Both Dingy Skipper and Common Blue are now on the wing.
Dragonflies
Four-spotted Chaser and Large Red Damselfly were new for the year.
Offshore
Morning sightings (0830-0930) included 68 Sandwich Tern, 49 Gannet, 19 Kittiwake, 15 Manx Shearwater, 14 Guillemot, 2 Common Tern and a single dark phase Arctic Skua.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow and House Martin are still moving through.
Butterflies
Both Dingy Skipper and Common Blue are now on the wing.
Dragonflies
Four-spotted Chaser and Large Red Damselfly were new for the year.
Seawatching conditions continue to prevail
27th May 2009 - overcast/early rain turning to showers W4/5
Offshore
Observations over the tide (1245-1445) produced 300 Manx Shearwater, 130 Sandwich Tern, 34 Gannet, 30 Common Scoter, 22 Fulmar, 17 Guillemot, 9 Kittiwake and 3 Arctic Skua (2 dark, 1 pale).
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was new in.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 5 Whimbrel continue to linger.
Offshore
Observations over the tide (1245-1445) produced 300 Manx Shearwater, 130 Sandwich Tern, 34 Gannet, 30 Common Scoter, 22 Fulmar, 17 Guillemot, 9 Kittiwake and 3 Arctic Skua (2 dark, 1 pale).
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was new in.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 5 Whimbrel continue to linger.
Black Guillemot tops seawatch
26th May 2009 - sunny spells W3/4
Offshore
The windy conditions turned attention to the sea and variety rather than quantity was the order of the day. Observations (0730-0830 & 1145-1245) produced 100 Gannet, 55 Sandwich Tern, 22 Guillemot, 21 Manx Shearwater, 11 Kittiwake, 8 Common Scoter, 4 Fulmar, 3 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua (dark phase) and a Black Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A solitary Collared Dove hurtled in off the sea.
Mammals
Both Brown Hare and Stoat were logged.
Offshore
The windy conditions turned attention to the sea and variety rather than quantity was the order of the day. Observations (0730-0830 & 1145-1245) produced 100 Gannet, 55 Sandwich Tern, 22 Guillemot, 21 Manx Shearwater, 11 Kittiwake, 8 Common Scoter, 4 Fulmar, 3 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua (dark phase) and a Black Guillemot.
Diurnal Migration
A solitary Collared Dove hurtled in off the sea.
Mammals
Both Brown Hare and Stoat were logged.
Bank Holiday Blues
25th May 2009 - bright and sunny SE1
Offshore
Observations over blue seas with a light offshore breeze provided just small numbers of Sandwich Tern, Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Common Scoter, Kittiwake and Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The clear blue skies were not conducive to producing grounded birds, however, a Cuckoo was the pick of sightings which also included a Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Again small numbers of Swallow and House Martin were logged flying in off the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit.
Breeding Birds
Small numbers of Eider chicks are now beginning to emerge and post-breeding flocks of Starling are now starting to congregate.
Offshore
Observations over blue seas with a light offshore breeze provided just small numbers of Sandwich Tern, Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Common Scoter, Kittiwake and Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The clear blue skies were not conducive to producing grounded birds, however, a Cuckoo was the pick of sightings which also included a Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Again small numbers of Swallow and House Martin were logged flying in off the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit.
Breeding Birds
Small numbers of Eider chicks are now beginning to emerge and post-breeding flocks of Starling are now starting to congregate.
Only low key monitoring
24th May 2009 - bright and sunny/calm
Grounded Migrants
The only evidence of new arrivals involved 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatear and single Garden Warbler, Chaffinch and Collared Dove.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow and House Martin were again on the move early morning.
Butterflies
The first Wall Brown are now on the wing and a few migrant Painted Ladies were logged.
Grounded Migrants
The only evidence of new arrivals involved 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatear and single Garden Warbler, Chaffinch and Collared Dove.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow and House Martin were again on the move early morning.
Butterflies
The first Wall Brown are now on the wing and a few migrant Painted Ladies were logged.
Pomarine Skuas finally appear
23rd May 2009 - overcast/drizzle at times SW1/2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations produced a flock of 12 Pomarine Skua drifting into the bay on the flooding tide, rising into the air when flushed by a fishing boat they circled up to disappear into the gloom. Additional sightings (0840-0940, 1330-1400 & 1630-1730) produced totals of 155 Manx Shearwater, 103 Sandwich Tern, 78 Common Scoter, 70 Guillemot, 51 Gannet, 35 Kittiwake, 9 Arctic Tern, 6 Razorbill, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of sightings included 5 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Swift continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Wigeon looks set to over summer and waders included 9 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
An out of season Raven was unusual.
Offshore
Early morning observations produced a flock of 12 Pomarine Skua drifting into the bay on the flooding tide, rising into the air when flushed by a fishing boat they circled up to disappear into the gloom. Additional sightings (0840-0940, 1330-1400 & 1630-1730) produced totals of 155 Manx Shearwater, 103 Sandwich Tern, 78 Common Scoter, 70 Guillemot, 51 Gannet, 35 Kittiwake, 9 Arctic Tern, 6 Razorbill, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of sightings included 5 Wheatear and single Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Swift continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Wigeon looks set to over summer and waders included 9 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
An out of season Raven was unusual.
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