30th April 2014 – overcast/murky/misty/showers/calm then W2
Offshore
The low visibility meant that there was little evidence of movement over the sea early morning excepting for a few Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A Redstart and Grasshopper Warbler were the pick of a small crop which also included 15 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap and just 2 Willow Warbler. However, the number of territorial Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler across the island continues to increase slowly.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese are still present and waders included 15 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Raven, Peregrine and Little Egret were the best of the rest.
Moths
The moth trap has finally started to attract species in double figures with Spectacle, Ruby Tiger, Cinnibar and White Ermine all new for the year.
Ringing
A total of 490 birds of 24 species were trapped during the month. Individual species totals were as follows, the figures in brackets refer to retraps. Goldfinch 66 (259), Willow Warbler 49 (1), Linnet 15 (14), Blackcap 10, Chaffinch 8, Blackbird 7 (3), Wren 7 (1), Chiffchaff 7, Goldcrest 5, Lesser Redpoll 5, House Sparrow (4), Redstart 3, Reed Bunting 2 (11), Greenfinch 2, Robin 2, Cuckoo 1, Collared Dove 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Ring Ouzel 1, Fieldfare 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1 and Great Tit 1.
Migration blocked!
29th April 2014 – overcast/murky/calm
Offshore
A feeding flock of 100 Sandwich Tern was the best on offer, in what was very poor visibility.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 110 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Grounded Migrants
Birds were rather thin on the ground with just a handful of Willow Warbler and Wheatear logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included several Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret and a pair of Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
Rustic Shoulder-knot, Shuttle-shaped Dart, and Double-striped Pug were new for the year.
Offshore
A feeding flock of 100 Sandwich Tern was the best on offer, in what was very poor visibility.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 110 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Grounded Migrants
Birds were rather thin on the ground with just a handful of Willow Warbler and Wheatear logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included several Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret and a pair of Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
Rustic Shoulder-knot, Shuttle-shaped Dart, and Double-striped Pug were new for the year.
Chats and starts
28th April 2014 – overcast/murky/calm
Offshore
A couple of Little Tern were the best that the sea could muster.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow continue to trickle through in low numbers.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of migrants were led by 3 Whinchat, 2 Redstart and a Grasshopper Warbler along with 20 Willow Warbler and 14 Wheatear. The number of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat on breeding territories remain low.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included several Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
Scalloped Hazel and Dark Barred Twin-spot Carpet were new for the year.
Offshore
A couple of Little Tern were the best that the sea could muster.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow continue to trickle through in low numbers.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of migrants were led by 3 Whinchat, 2 Redstart and a Grasshopper Warbler along with 20 Willow Warbler and 14 Wheatear. The number of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat on breeding territories remain low.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain and waders included several Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A pair of Raven were the best of the rest.
Moths
Scalloped Hazel and Dark Barred Twin-spot Carpet were new for the year.
Puffin headlines
27th April 2014 – overcast/murky NE4/5/6
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (0700-0900) provided a Puffin along with 150 Sandwich Tern, 103 Common Scoter, 101 Gannet, 15 Red-throated Diver, 9 Guillemot, 5 Little Tern, 4 Razorbill, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua and a Fulmar.
Diurnal Migration
Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 86 birds headed north and small numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin continue to move through. However, two Yellow Wagtail were the highlight.
Grounded Migrants
Two Whinchat were amongst 30 Wheatear and newly arrived warblers included a sprinkling of Blackcap, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler among 16 Willow Warbler. At least 10 Lesser Whitethroat are now on territory.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese continue to loiter while waders included 4500 Dunlin, 100 Sanderling, 25 Whimbrel and 10 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Egret and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Ringing
One of the Willow Warbler was a control beginning with ring sequence ETR***.
Offshore
Observations on the rising tide (0700-0900) provided a Puffin along with 150 Sandwich Tern, 103 Common Scoter, 101 Gannet, 15 Red-throated Diver, 9 Guillemot, 5 Little Tern, 4 Razorbill, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua and a Fulmar.
Diurnal Migration
Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 86 birds headed north and small numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin continue to move through. However, two Yellow Wagtail were the highlight.
Grounded Migrants
Two Whinchat were amongst 30 Wheatear and newly arrived warblers included a sprinkling of Blackcap, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler among 16 Willow Warbler. At least 10 Lesser Whitethroat are now on territory.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese continue to loiter while waders included 4500 Dunlin, 100 Sanderling, 25 Whimbrel and 10 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Egret and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Ringing
One of the Willow Warbler was a control beginning with ring sequence ETR***.
Common Tern and Common Sandpiper new for the year
26th April 2014 – early rain then sunny spells SE3/5
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide (1200-1300) produced 140 Sandwich Tern, 101 Arctic Tern, 8 Little Tern and a Common Tern along with 28 Gannet, 14 Red-throated Diver and small numbers of Manx Shearwater, Common Scoter, Guillemot and Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow continue to move through in small numbers.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds with the exception of 32 Wheatear, were at a premium with just 3 Willow Warbler and single Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three pale-bellied Brent Geese continue to linger while waders included 3000 Dunlin, 51 Grey Plover, 27 Whimbrel, 24 Golden Plover and single Greenshank and Common Sandpiper – the latter the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The female Marsh Harrier continues to roam the island.
Offshore
Observations on the falling tide (1200-1300) produced 140 Sandwich Tern, 101 Arctic Tern, 8 Little Tern and a Common Tern along with 28 Gannet, 14 Red-throated Diver and small numbers of Manx Shearwater, Common Scoter, Guillemot and Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow continue to move through in small numbers.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds with the exception of 32 Wheatear, were at a premium with just 3 Willow Warbler and single Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three pale-bellied Brent Geese continue to linger while waders included 3000 Dunlin, 51 Grey Plover, 27 Whimbrel, 24 Golden Plover and single Greenshank and Common Sandpiper – the latter the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The female Marsh Harrier continues to roam the island.
Marsh Harrier and Ring Ouzel
25th April 2014 – bright start rain later E2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0615-0715) produced 106 Sandwich Tern, 100 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemot and a Great Skua.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Sand Martin continue to trickle through.
Grounded Migrants
A female Ring Ouzel was the pick of the grounded birds which also included 9 Wheatear and 2 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A female Marsh Harrier hunted the island for most of the day.
Moths
Least Black Arches was new for the year.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0615-0715) produced 106 Sandwich Tern, 100 Common Scoter, 21 Gannet, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemot and a Great Skua.
Diurnal Migration
Swallow and Sand Martin continue to trickle through.
Grounded Migrants
A female Ring Ouzel was the pick of the grounded birds which also included 9 Wheatear and 2 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A female Marsh Harrier hunted the island for most of the day.
Moths
Least Black Arches was new for the year.
Fall conditions
24th April 2014 – hazy sun V1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0715) produced 40 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 30 Guillemot, 24 Razorbill, 10 Arctic Tern, 10 Gannet and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall produced an excellent variety with 76 Wheatear, 34 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Redstart and single Stonechat, Sedge Warbler, Coal Tit, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Fieldfare and Song Thrush logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Whimbrel.
Moths
Chamomile Shark and Brown Silver-line were new for the year.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0715) produced 40 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 30 Guillemot, 24 Razorbill, 10 Arctic Tern, 10 Gannet and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall produced an excellent variety with 76 Wheatear, 34 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Redstart and single Stonechat, Sedge Warbler, Coal Tit, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Fieldfare and Song Thrush logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Whimbrel.
Moths
Chamomile Shark and Brown Silver-line were new for the year.
Little Tern, Arctic Tern and Whinchat
22nd April 2014 – overcast/showers later E2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0715 & 1730-1800) were led by 12 Arctic Tern and single Little Tern and Arctic Skua along with totals of 112 Common Scoter, 110 Sandwich Tern, 52 Razorbill, 38 Guillemot, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow flew through.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat was amongst 58 Wheatear but otherwise newly grounded birds were limited to 12 Willow Warbler and a Robin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2000 Dunlin, 35 Golden Plover, 30 Sanderling and a Whimbrel.
Moths
Shoulder Stripe, Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab and Angle Shades were attracted to the moth trap.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0615-0715 & 1730-1800) were led by 12 Arctic Tern and single Little Tern and Arctic Skua along with totals of 112 Common Scoter, 110 Sandwich Tern, 52 Razorbill, 38 Guillemot, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow flew through.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat was amongst 58 Wheatear but otherwise newly grounded birds were limited to 12 Willow Warbler and a Robin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2000 Dunlin, 35 Golden Plover, 30 Sanderling and a Whimbrel.
Moths
Shoulder Stripe, Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab and Angle Shades were attracted to the moth trap.
Redstart and Yellow Wagtail
21st April 2014 – overcast then hazy sun NE2/3/4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations (0745-0845) provided 21 Gannet, 18 Sandwich Tern, 11 Common Scoter, 11 Guillemot, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
A Yellow Wagtail flew through amongst a few Swallow.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall was evident with 14 Wheatear, 6 White Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and single Mistle Thrush, Whitethroat, Redstart and Stonechat amongst 60 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
The last few Teal continue to linger.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0745-0845) provided 21 Gannet, 18 Sandwich Tern, 11 Common Scoter, 11 Guillemot, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
A Yellow Wagtail flew through amongst a few Swallow.
Grounded Migrants
A small fall was evident with 14 Wheatear, 6 White Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and single Mistle Thrush, Whitethroat, Redstart and Stonechat amongst 60 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
The last few Teal continue to linger.
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