22nd August 2013

Weather:- south east early, east north east in the afternoon, very light breezes
Six Wheatears this morning which was pleasing after a dearth of these birds this month, one was a male of the greenland race, the first such recorded this autumn. Another sign of autumn were 3 Willow Warblers on passage. Three Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end and there were still 2 Whimbrel to be seen.Other records included 145 Ringed Plovers, 65 Turnstones and a single Shag bearing a ring.
Perhaps the most exciting entry on todays log sheet were at least 13 Common Seals hauled out on the west hoyle bank. A pup that was amongst them would have been born here as Common Seal pups can swim immediately after birth, unlike the regular Grey Seals who have to go elsewhere to breed. It appears that we are finally in a situation were we have a mixed colony, after many decades of Common Seals being rare sightings here. A Hummingbird hawk Moth was noted.
(DB, + Matt & Ron Thomas)