30th November 2015 – overcast/rain SW5/6
Ringing
Another disappointing month with the weather compromising ringing activities (only 3 days recorded no rainfall). A total of 117 birds of 16 species were handled during the month, individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets). Goldfinch 23 (11), Blackbird 18, Chaffinch 11 (1), Goldcrest 9, Wren 5 (1), Song Thrush 5 (1), Redwing 5, Brambling 4, Greenfinch 2, Dunnock 1 (2), Robin 1 (2), Sparrowhawk,1, Chiffchaff 1, Long-tailed Tit 1, Reed Bunting 1 and Blue Tit (2).
Jack Snipe
29th November 2015 – overcast/rain at times SW6/7/8
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0800-0900) proved very disappointing with only a single Kittiwake logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 10 Shoveler and 3 Pink-footed Geese and a Jack Snipe was the pick of the waders.
Mammals
Several Grey Seal pups have been seen on the island in recent weeks – the first proven breeding record for the island.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0800-0900) proved very disappointing with only a single Kittiwake logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 10 Shoveler and 3 Pink-footed Geese and a Jack Snipe was the pick of the waders.
Mammals
Several Grey Seal pups have been seen on the island in recent weeks – the first proven breeding record for the island.
Scaup newly arrived
28th November 2015 – overcast/rain SW6/7/8
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0800-0900) proved disappointing with only 10 Common Scoter, 3 Kittiwake and a Red-throated Diver logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Scaup was newly arrived and a Greenshank was amongst the waders present..
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0800-0900) proved disappointing with only 10 Common Scoter, 3 Kittiwake and a Red-throated Diver logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A drake Scaup was newly arrived and a Greenshank was amongst the waders present..
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Barnacle Goose influx
22nd November 2015 – cold, bright and sunny NNE1/2
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0830-0900) revealed 10 Red-throated Diver, 8 Shag, 3 Goosander, 3 Kittiwake and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Further hints of movement were provided by 2 Goldcrest amongst small numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush and Blackbird.
Diurnal Migration
Some movement was evident with 70 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Twite, 6 Whooper Swan, 5 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Pied Wagtail logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pick of the wildfowl involved an influx of 80 Barnacle Geese while at least 4 Greenshank remain.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret remain prominent across the island.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0830-0900) revealed 10 Red-throated Diver, 8 Shag, 3 Goosander, 3 Kittiwake and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Further hints of movement were provided by 2 Goldcrest amongst small numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush and Blackbird.
Diurnal Migration
Some movement was evident with 70 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Twite, 6 Whooper Swan, 5 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Pied Wagtail logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pick of the wildfowl involved an influx of 80 Barnacle Geese while at least 4 Greenshank remain.
Miscellaneous
Little Egret remain prominent across the island.
A hint of cold weather movement
21st November 2015 – cold, bright and sunny NNW4
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea saw little evidence of movement with just 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake and a Razorbill logged.
Grounded Migrants
There was a hint of cold weather movement with 25 Fieldfare, 9 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush and a Goldcrest logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Buzzard headed north east over the island to provide the highlight of the day, also seen were 160 Starling and 8 Whooper Swan, pursued by the local Oystercatcher population .
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 20 pale-bellied Brent Goose were recorded.
Miscellaneous
Little Owl and Short-eared Owl were still hunting the island and a Water Rail squealed.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea saw little evidence of movement with just 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake and a Razorbill logged.
Grounded Migrants
There was a hint of cold weather movement with 25 Fieldfare, 9 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush and a Goldcrest logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Buzzard headed north east over the island to provide the highlight of the day, also seen were 160 Starling and 8 Whooper Swan, pursued by the local Oystercatcher population .
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 20 pale-bellied Brent Goose were recorded.
Miscellaneous
Little Owl and Short-eared Owl were still hunting the island and a Water Rail squealed.
Bonxie
20th November 2015 – overcast/heavy showers WNW5/6
Offshore
A check over the sea (1230-1330) provided 21 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Razorbill and single Great Skua and Gannet.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 6 Whooper Swan headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
A few Pink-footed Geese remain grounded.
Offshore
A check over the sea (1230-1330) provided 21 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Razorbill and single Great Skua and Gannet.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 6 Whooper Swan headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
A few Pink-footed Geese remain grounded.
Wildfowl and waders
16th November 2015 – overcast WSW5/6
Diurnal Migration
A total of 17 Whooper Swan headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock head 134 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 15 Greenshank, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Jack Snipe amongst 100 Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin hunted the island.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Oystercatcher had been marked at its breeding grounds at Langhólmi, Fljótshlíð, Iceland on 18th June 2015.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 17 Whooper Swan headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock head 134 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 15 Greenshank, 6 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Jack Snipe amongst 100 Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin hunted the island.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Oystercatcher had been marked at its breeding grounds at Langhólmi, Fljótshlíð, Iceland on 18th June 2015.
Leach’s Petrel
15th November 2015 – overcast/mist/murk/rain at times SW6
Offshore
A check of the sea between the showers revealed a single Leach’s Petrel but little else.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 120 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 3 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Shoveler and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock increased to 70 birds.
Offshore
A check of the sea between the showers revealed a single Leach’s Petrel but little else.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 120 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 3 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Shoveler and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock increased to 70 birds.
Glaucous Gull and Black Guillemot
14th November 2015 – overcast/rain W3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) proved disappointing with just 20 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake and a Red-throated Diver logged. A check of the eastern shore on the rising tide revealed a Black Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 109 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 6 Shoveler, 3 Pink-footed Goose and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Glaucous Gull roosted on the rising tide, a total of 66 Little Egret were seen along with 30 Twite. Raptors involved Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) proved disappointing with just 20 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake and a Red-throated Diver logged. A check of the eastern shore on the rising tide revealed a Black Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 109 pale-bellied birds, also seen were 6 Shoveler, 3 Pink-footed Goose and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Glaucous Gull roosted on the rising tide, a total of 66 Little Egret were seen along with 30 Twite. Raptors involved Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
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