31st July 2011 – overcast at times SW1/2
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced small numbers of Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Kittiwake and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of grounded birds involved 35 Pied Wagtail, 17 Whitethroat, 13 Willow Warbler, 9 Sedge Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blackcap and single Grey Wagtail, Cuckoo, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Stonechat.
Diurnal Migration
A couple of Swift flew through and 180 Swallow and 3 Sand Martin congregated on wires early morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Little Stint remains amongst a small flock of Dunlin and other waders included 15 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Three Raven and a Peregrine were also logged.
Ringing
Amongst this months birds was the 10,000th Willow Warbler ringed on the island by the observatory once the main staple of annual totals, always appearing at the top of the species list, recent years has seen a dramatic fall in the numbers caught each year and the species often now fails to make the top five.
Another excellent ringing total for the month with 332 of 23 species ringed – this is an especially pleasing total considering that the site is heavily reliant on post-breeding dispersal and early southbound migrants. Although an above average number of adult Willow Warbler were ringed during the month, suggesting a poor breeding season, the monthly total for both Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler exceeded the 2010 annual total for both these species emphasising that at least some of the warblers have had a successful breeding season.Individual species totals involved Greenfinch (53), House Sparrow (44), Goldfinch (40), Sedge Warbler (36), Willow Warbler (33), Starling (26), Whitethroat (23), Swallow (20), Dunnock (9), Blackbird (9), Linnet (8), Great Black-backed Gull (7), Reed Bunting (4), Blue Tit (4), Chaffinch (3), Blackcap (3), Great Tit (3), Garden Warbler (2), Pied Wagtail (1), Woodpigeon (1), Redstart (1), Spotted Flycatcher (1) and Stonechat (1).
Moths
Shaded Broad-bar was new for the year.
Images
Juvenile male Redstart.
28th July 2011 – bright start?light rain soon WNW2
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern were noted.
Grounded Migrants
Three Garden Warbler and 2 Spotted Flycatcher were amongst a handful of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Little Stint amongst 4 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were the pick of the waders.
Moths
The moth traps produced another varied selection with 67 species identified. Highlights involved the first island record for Catoptria falsella and the first Willow Beauty and Dotted Clay of the year.
Images
Little Stint and Catoptria falsella.
27th July 2011 – bright and sunny V1
Offshore
Another quick check over the sea early morning before the heat haze kicked in produced a feeding group of 54 Gannet, 30 Sandwich Tern and 7 Little Tern while 3 Common Scoter flew past.
Grounded Migrants
Two Cuckoo and a Lesser Whitethroat were amongst another trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Common Sandpiper was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Swallow numbers are now beginning to congregate with 100 birds logged
Moths
The moth traps produced a varied selection with 70 species identified. Highlights involved first island records for Agapeta zoegana and Small China Mark, the first Silky Wainscot for 25 years, Chilo phragmitella – the first for 10 years and the first Yellow-tail of the year. Immigrants involved 7 Dark Swordgrass and 2 Silver Y.
Images
Agapeta zoegana, Chilo phragmitella, Small China Mark and Silky Wainscot.
26th July 2011 – sunny spells V1
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced a feeding group of 65 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 4 Little Tern and 2 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Wheatear was amongst the now daily trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A Yellow Wagtail was the pick of today’s sightings.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 lingering Whimbrel were again the best of the waders logged.
Moths
Gold Spangle and Magpie were new for the year.
24th July 2011 – bright and sunny NW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) produced 72 Common Scoter and 52 Gannet along with small numbers of Kitiwake and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo continues to linger and a Lesser Whitethroat was amongst 6 Willow Warbler and 9 Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Whimbrel were the best of the waders.
Moths
An influx of immigrant moths saw 26 Dark Swordgrass and 2 Silver Y logged.
23rd July 2011 – bright and sunny NW1/2/3
Offshore
Just a few Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Two Blackcap and a Wheatear were logged amongst a further trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat. The Cuckoo remains.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included at least 10 Greenshank and the first Snipe of the autumn.
Moths
Fen Wainscot and Buff Arches new for the year.
Images
Puss Moth caterpillar.
22nd July 2011 – overcast /light rain E1
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0830) produced 144 Common Scoter along with small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The Cuckoo remains and a Wheatear was amongst 9 Willow Warbler and 5 Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow continue to trickle south.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl were seen.
Moths
Ruby Tiger and Rosy Rustic were new for the year.
20th July 2011 – overcast NW2
Offshore
Early morning observations produced just small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded migrants were led by single Cuckoo and Blackcap amongst the now seemingly inevitable trickle of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat – July is the new August!
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl were seen.
Moths
Ear Moth (sp) was new for the year.
19th July 2011 – overcast WNW2/3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0600-0800) were led by 2 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skua and a Great Skua all moving out of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 55 Common Scoter and small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded overnight migrants involved 12 Willow Warbler and 14 Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow were noted flying south over the sea early morning.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was along the eastern shore.
Dragonflies
Rather neglected of late but Emperor, Brown Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter and Common Blue Damselfly are now all on the wing .
