27th August 2014

Weather SE 2 freshening later, mostly sunny, clouding over mid-morning for a while

Whinchat (SRW), top left (CJ)

Probably the best day so far in what has been a very slow August. Small movements of Swallows(50), a flock of 9 House Martins, about 120 Meadow Pipits, 8 alba Wagtails, 8 Willow Warblers and a single Greenfinch made it feel like autumn had finally arrived. One of the young Swallows passing through found itself in the obs garden mist net, below(CJ).
 Star bird of the day however was a Whinchat that was seen early and after disappearing for a while returned to be caught and ringed, a few are seen on the islands most years, but they do not always appear on the ringing list. Non-passerine visitors today included a Collared Dove, a Greenshank calling between the islands, 2 Black-tailed Godwits flying at the north end and a Teal heading towards the north shore.The Shag was still present off the east side, also a Whimbrel in the same area. A real surprise was a Fox that was glimpsed near the top paddock, it seemed to be a young animal. It has been noted before that Foxes can be extremely secretive and be present on a such a small island without being noticed even when the obs members cover the entire island in search of birds. After the top paddock grass was cut today by the ranger service a young Short-tailed Field Vole was showing well eating the freshly cut grass, below (SRW).

Wheatear (SRW)

Confused (SRW)

 The record of the Confused moth from Sunday was followed today by another example thought not to be the same individual, while the spectacular Red Underwing was another good find, possibly the second ever for the island.
Ringed:- 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Meadow Pipits, 1 Whinchat, 1 Greenland Wheatear, 1 Swallow, 1 Robin
  [ 656-34 ]
(DB,JE,CJ,DCT,PT+2,NDW,SRW)