17th September 2023

 Weather: ENE force 3, drizzle at first

A fairly quiet day with just single Goldcrest and Chiffchaff found in the paddocks, possibly because the drizzle may have continued most of the night inhibiting migration. We usually find that Wheatears are less dependent on the weather, 2 turned up today. A couple of Common Snipe were present early on and a Skylark descended to the island's west side to pay us a visit.

A Raven also paid one of its recent regular visits, while the Kestrel was not seen and the male Eider was alone today. The Brent count today was a small increase to 18. Waders included 18 Bar-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 85 Ringed Plover and 35 Sanderling. The gulls were counted at low water, mainly from the Salisbury/West Hoyle sandbanks, the list was 2,000 Herring, 450 Black-headed, 80 Common and 25 Lesser Black-backs. No special sea birds were noted today, but around the island were 12 Little Egrets and 3 Grey Herons.

Both Pipits are here all the year round now, one of the Rock Pipits today was unringed, most residents are now easy to separate from any visiting birds.

 Eight Meadow Pipits were around today, even after the breeding season.

 

 It was a good catch in the moth trap overnight, with lots of Yellow Underwings (mainly lessers).

Fourteen different species were identified out of the 135 moths attracted including some slightly more unusual here like Light Emerald

.....and Black Rustic.

while some are more familiar to the island like Angle Shades.

Photos SRW