31st August 2021

 Weather: NE force 5 decreasing 3 during the day

A partly cloudy and cool start to the day and no warblers on the island did not prevent a couple of Wheatears arriving as the only small migrants today. A female Sparrowhawk putting in an appearance therefore gave extra pleasure to our observer, while both Kestrel and Peregrine completed the trio of raptors. Notable today were 15 Little Egrets, surely close to a record for the island, and also seen were 12 Shelduck, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Gannets on the sea with 5 Scoter and 4 Great Crested Grebes. Waders are unobtrusive at the low tides just now but in addition to the Oystercatchers (2500), there were 650 Dunlin, 43 Curlew, 40 Ringed Plover and 10 Sanderling. A few of the likely breeders are still about, for instance 6 Swallows, 2 Blackbirds, 2 Robins, 6 Rock Pipits, 6 Meadow Pipits and a Pied Wagtail. Only 3 Small Whites and 2 Red Admirals flew representing the butterflies but moths fared better in the trap this morning.

 

Smoky Wainscot

White-line Dart

 Photos CJW