30th August 2024

 Weather: W force 3,  later NNE force 2   slight mist around coasts

 There were 7 Wheatears today, the most for a while.

A single Willow Warbler was also here and was the only other obvious migrant on the ground. An Arctic Skua was the highlight on the sea and was off the west hoyle bank before heading off towards Wales, while others present were 2 Gannets, 3 Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe and 6 Sandwich Terns. A Shag showed on the rocks at dawn.

 A female Sparrowhawk was about today in addition to the Kestrel which is always easier to see. Shelduck numbered 49 birds and 8 Eiders were here. Amongst the waders a Greenshank took pride of place, a single Whimbrel was present as were 32 Curlew, 30 Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling, 72 Turnstone and  64 Redshank. Only 4 Little Egrets were seen.  A Raven visited as they have been doing recently. Butterflies in the air today included Red Admiral, both Large and Small Whites, also a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly and Common Frog.

Photo CJW