31st July 2016

Weather: W force 2/3
Three Arctic Skuas were seen near the islands today, 2 dark phase and 1 light phase, while a single Arctic Tern, a Gannet, a Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot was out to sea. On the ground was a Willow Warbler, a Wheatear and 3 Pied Wagtails. Waders noted included 5 Whimbrel, 30 Ringed Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Sanderling and 25 Curlew. A Peregrine was seen to chase and catch its prey over the east hoyle.

30th July 2016

 Weather NW force 3
The first 2 autumn Sedge Warblers were found this morning, also a Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warblers and a juvenile Wheatear. Four Greylag Geese were unexpected. On the insect front it was also a good day with 2 Migrant Hawkers, a Common Darter, 3 Green Veined White, 4 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and a Common Blue.

Rock Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Willow Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Ringed: 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Dunnocks, 1 Wren, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Rock Pipit.                  [ 315-27 ]      all photos JE

29th July 2016

Weather: WNW force 3/4     rain early
Two Willow Warblers were present despite the westerly wind and tern numbers were high including flocks of 51 and 72 Little terns and a roost of 650 Sandwich and 120 Common Terns. Waders of note were 3 Whimbrel, 85 Sanderling, 1,500 Dunlin and a single Bar-tailed Godwit. A male Migrant Hawker was the only dragonfly and butterflies included 4 Red Admirals and 5 Green Veined Whites.
Ringed: 1 Linnet                      [ 305-26 ]

26th July 2016

Weather: WSW force 2/3
Two Meditterannean Gulls were seen from the obs, an adult winter and a first summer. A juvenile Wheatear was present, while around the shore were 12 Whimbrel. Over fifty Little Terns were noted and a very high count of 716 Grey Seals were hauled out on the west hoyle bank.
Ringed: 1 Wren          [ 304-26 ] 

24th July 2016

Weather: SE force 0-1 slight drizzle at times

The first Willow Warbler of the autumn arrived today after some drizzly rain, the main passage is expected in about 2 or 3 weeks if the conditions are suitable. The best of the rest today was a single Common Sandpiper and a Manx shearwater seen out to sea with 3 Gannets and a Red-breasted Merganser. Fourteen Whimbrel was an impressive total.

Another Wheatear passed through the island today. Waders included 85 Dunlin, 84 Sanderling and 85 Curlew.

23rd July 2016

Weather: SW force 1 , later N force 1

Another 2 Arctic Skuas were present today and the terns were counted at just over 1,000 Sandwich Terns , 350 Common Terns and a surprisingly high total of 127 Little Terns, testament to the sucess of the Gronant colony this season. Both Mediterrannean Gulls are still about. Highlights on the sea today were the sightings of 2 or 3 Harbour Porpoise and 2 Bottle Nosed Dolphins. Thirteen Great Crested Grebes sat on the calm sea. Young birds bred on the island showed themselves today, see Wren, Linnet and Meadow Pipit (at bottom of page) below.

    

young Wren (JE)

Adult Meadow Pipit (JE)

young Linnet (JE)

 

Meadow Pipit (JE)
Ringed: 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Linnet, 1 Wren                                               [ 303-26 ]

22nd July 2016

Weather: S force 1
There were two Mediterrannean Gulls present today, the first summer from yesterday also an adult. Six Whimbrel, 2 Little Egret, 400 Dunlin, 10 Turnstone and a Bar-tailed Godwit were noted with a Red-breasted Merganser and a Common Scoter on the sea.

The moth trap last night was very productive and during the day flying butterflies included 12 Green-veined White, 15 Small White, 8 Large White and a Red Admiral. The Grey Seals hauled out are now peaking at over 400 animals.

21st July 2016

Weather: W force 1/2

A first summer Mediterrannean Gull was among the 1,000 or so Black-headed Gulls to the east of the island in the evening light and later still the 2 Common Sandpipers seen earlier could be heard calling about the rocks below.

Earlier an immature (or female) Eider was noted on the sea. Good numbers of waders are now appearing including 13 Whimbrel, 12 Sanderling, 19 Redshank, 9 Turnstone and a summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit. Terns counts today were 71 Little Terns, 850 Sandwich terns, 200 Common Terns, also 2 Arctic Skuas obviously attracted by the number of terns. Seven Little Egrets on the shore was a good count, even for this time of year. The only small migrants were 5 Swifts, 4 Swallows and a single Wheatear. [300-26]

Meditterranean Gull (SRW)

Common Sandpipers (AEH)

Dunlin (AEH)

Swift (AEH)

Rock Sea-lavender (AEH)

Small White butterfly (AEH)

Harebells (AEH)
Ringed: 2 Linnets                                                              [ 300-26 ]