29th July 2022

 Weather: ESE  force 1/2  rain showers, later SE 1 sunny intervals

Again no early autumn passerine migrants apart from a few Swallows, but the south easterly this time produced more varied records in general for the observers. Early morning  a Common Sandpiper was near the vehicle track to the east of Middle, possibly the same bird as earlier in the week ?

A trip to the north end soon after seemed in vain until a Greenshank called and flew to the end of the whaleback, it was not seen subsequently.

Later in the morning 2 Mute Swans were found floating off the north end. The regular female Eider seems to have disappeared recently but today 2 roosted the tide on the reef west of Middle and 2 Lapwings also landed on the reef for a while. Before the tide quite a few Dunlin were seen, also Ringed Plover and Redshank, with about 10 Whimbrel about. Thirty six Shelduck were seen, also a Shag, 4 Little Egret and 4 Grey Heron. We see many moths when the light traps have been set, today an unusual sighting was a Common Carpet resting on the lifeboat house wall.

A Kestrel made a brief appearance but Short-tailed Voles seem to be doing fine, 6 were seen this morning.

Ringed : 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren

Photos CJ