31st May 2022 – sun and showers/calm then NW2/3
Offshore
Rain interrupted early morning observations on the rising tide (0600-0830) were led by 2 Great Skua and single Velvet Scoter and Goosander. Also seen were 505 Sandwich Tern, 87 Manx Shearwater, 82 Common Scoter, 38 Gannet, 17 Kittiwake, 4 Little Tern, 4 Guillemot, 2 Common Tern and single Arctic Tern and Red-throated Diver
Grounded Migrants
A Wheatear was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains along with 4 hybrid young and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Breeding Birds
The first Shelducklings and Eiderlings have now emerged.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 106 moths of 26 species including Poplar Hawkmoth, Small Elephant Hawkmoth and the nationally scarce White Colon. Both Swan-feathered Dwarf and Bramble-shoot Moth were new for the year.
30th May 2022 – overcast/showers NNW2
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0630-0930) were dominated by Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern with 1285 and 700 birds respectively. The supporting cast included 78 Guillemot, 35 Gannet, 17 Razorbill, 15 Manx Shearwater, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Puffin, 3 Little Tern, 3 Fulmar and 2 Arctic Tern.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swift flew through.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
29th May 2022 – bright and sunny N2 then WNW2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0630-0930) were again quieter than of late but still revealed 330 Common Scoter, 215 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gannet and single Arctic Tern, Shag, Puffin and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher showed that spring migration is not yet complete.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 250 Sanderling, 34 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Grey Plover and a Whimbrel while the first Curlew have already begun to return with 60 birds logged.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 114 moths of 24 species with Thistle Ermine, Pebble Prominent, Common Marbled Carpet and Ingrailed Clay all new for the year.
28th May 2022 – bright and sunny N2 then WNW2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0530-0630) were quieter than of late but still revealed 350 Sandwich Tern, 43 Gannet, 33 Guillemot, 28 Common Scoter, 8 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Little Tern, 3 Razorbill and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear were seen.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and 2 second-year Mediterranean Gull were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterfly sightings included 20 Small Heath and 14 Wall Brown; two species recently added to the “nationally vulnerable” list.
27th May 2022 – bright start, cloudy later WNW5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations on the rising tide (0630-0830) produced 150 Guillemot, 145 Gannet, 132 Razorbill, 120 Sandwich Tern, 106 Manx Shearwater, 50 Kittiwake, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Little Tern and single Puffin and Fulmar.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Sanderling, 150 Dunlin, 60 Ringed Plover and 31 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and 4 hybrid young are now in the area.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap held 172 moths of 29 species with Small Square-spot and Treble Lines the dominant species and Elephant Hawk Moth, Common Wainscot, Mottled Rustic, Turnip Moth and the nationally scarce Sand Dart new for the year.
26th May 2022 – overcast, showers/rain clearing WSW5
Offshore
Morning observations either side of the rain band moving through (0600-0700 & 1015-1115) provided totals of 320 Manx Shearwater, 165 Gannet, 120 Sandwich Tern, 105 Guillemot, 42 Common Scoter, 24 Kittiwake, 21 Razorbill, 4 Fulmar, 2 Puffin, 2 Arctic Skua and single Little Tern, Red-throated Diver and Little Egret.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wader numbers are much depleted but included 120 Dunlin, 26 Ringed Plover, 13 Grey Plover, 4 Knot and 2 Turnstone.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
25th May 2022 – early rain, brighter later SW4/5
Offshore
Morning observations over the sea as the rain cleared (0945-1045) produced 300 Manx Shearwater, 175 Guillemot, 106 Gannet, 33 Razorbill, 22 Sandwich Tern, 9 Kittiwake, 5 Common Scoter, 3 Puffin, 3 Fulmar and a Great Skua.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
23rd May 2022 – overcast WSW3
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0600-0900) produced 900 Manx Shearwater, 440 Guillemot, 250 Sandwich Tern, 175 Gannet, 91 Common Scoter, 74 Kittiwake, 63 Razorbill, 6 Puffin, 3 Shag, 3 Fulmar, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Arctic Tern, Common Tern and Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Sanderling and 4 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
The first 2 Swift have finally arrived at breeding sites on the centre of the island.
22nd May 2022 – overcast/showers SSW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0630-0830) revealed 620 Manx Shearwater, 350 Guillemot, 175 Common Scoter, 76 Sandwich Tern, 21 Razorbill, 20 Kittiwake, 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Puffin, 2 Arctic Skua (dark morph) and single Fulmar and Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few more birds than of late with 4 Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Wheatear logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover and 24 Knot.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap attracted 112 moths of 19 species with Pale-shouldered Brocade new for the year.
