13th September 2025

 

 Weather: S force 2,    later WSW 5

Yes, it is certainly the right time of year now for watching the sea, but maybe not the right sort of weather conditions. Turns out that didn't matter, they were good enough. The first Leach's Petrel of the autumn floated west passed the north end of the island nearly an hour after the high tide, around 16.20 ish. Two more came even later.

  

 

With eyes to the sea, many other sea birds were logged, there were 65 Gannets, 4 Red-throated Divers, 6 Guillemots, 3 Razorbills travelling west, an adult Kittiwake, 72 Sandwich Terns, 28 Common Terns, 1 Arctic Tern flying west, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 400 Common Scoter and a Manx Shearwater passing east. Three Chiffchaffs were on the island from early, also 2 Wheatears. 8 Meadow Pipits and 4 Swallows passing through. Ten Brent Geese were present.

 A female type Eider seen may be one of the pair here a few days ago. Five Goosanders were found in a pool at the end of the reef south of Middle. 

  

Two Grey Herons and 14 Little Egrets were here. 

A good selection of waders were noted either side of the tide including 220 Curlew, 145 Ringed Plover, 41 Grey Plover, 200 Knot, 140 Sanderling, 65 Turnstone and 14 Bar-tailed Godwit.

 

The Kestrel stayed with us. Butterflies comprised 14  Red Admirals, 4 Large White and 2 Painted Ladies.

 Photos SRW