10th September 2016

Weather: WNW force 2

A look into the east gutter this morning found the surprisingly high number of 16 Little Egrets (above, CJ) in addition to massive number of Black-headed gulls (c.2,000) in the gutter and over the whole east hoyle area.

Despite the westerly a few migrants were going through in addition to the single Willow Warbler in the old obs garden, including 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits and 6 Wheatears.

A Mediterranean Gull was seen distantly amongst the Black-headed Gulls on the north shore tideline, also there were 36 Bar-tailed Godwits, while other waders included 40 Redshank and a Whimbrel.

Five Painted Lady butterflies were on the wing, and 3 Speckled Woods also made an appearance. At least 20 Gannets were out to sea.

8th September 2016

Weather: W force 2, increasing W 5 after early heavy rain

Brooding sky before the downpour (JE)

Heavy rain in the morning was followed by small signs of migration (a Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatears, 3 Pied Wagtails and about 30 Meadow Pipits) and first signs of the autumn duck influx (5 Wigeon and 3 Teal). A few Robins and Wrens were also probable migrants. Others noted this morning were a Peregrine, a Rock Pipit, 51 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin and 50 Curlew.
Ringed: 1 Willow Warbler           [ 355-27 ]

7th September 2016

Peregrine (CJ)

Weather: S force 1     warm
A fair number of Swallows were passing through with about 80 seen over the island and a single House Martin. Three Pied and a White Wagtail were noted, also a Wheatear towards the north end. A Peregrine sat on the rocks west of the lifeboat house for a few minutes, then late morning a Willow Warbler appeared in the old obs garden and a Whimbrel called from the shore.

6th September 2016

Weather: W force 2/3
A brief late afternoon visit logged 2 Wheatears, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Rock Pipit on the island and 10 Gannets on the sea. Unusually for recent times Grey Herons outnumbered Little Egrets by 8 to 3.

5th September 2016

Weather: S force 4/5 rain and drizzle early

An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was in the recording area north of the marine lake. Two Wheatears were on Middle and another on the north of the main island with 2 Rock Pipits also there. A Willow Warbler appeared in the paddocks after the rain, the first for some days. An Arctic Skua chased terns distantly to the north while waders included a Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit.

Ringed: 1 Willow Warbler       [ 354-27 ]      

3rd September 2016

Weather: W then S force 2, light rain later
Another quiet day, 2 Gannets and a Common Scoter were on the sea, a surprise was a Grey Wagtail on the island.

2nd September 2016

Weather: W force 3/4
A House Martin and a Wheatear were the only 2 migrants today, but a record of 2 Razorbills was the first for some time.

1st September 2016

Weather: Sw force 2/3
Highlights today were a Peregrine and 2 Wheatears.