26th May 2025 – overcast/WSW5/7 rain later
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0930) produced 305 Manx Shearwater, 152 Sandwich Tern, 85 Gannet, 43 Common Scoter, 43 Guillemot, 31 Kittiwake, 8 Razorbill, 4 Fulmar and a Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Wigeon and Gadwall remain in residence.
Long-tailed Ducks and Arctic Skuas
25th May 2025 – bright and sunny W5/7
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0830) revealed 510 Manx Shearwater, 211 Guillemot, 123 Gannet, 111 Kittiwake, 95 Common Scoter, 79 Sandwich Tern, 26 Razorbill, 8 Arctic Skua, 4 Fulmar, 3 Arctic Tern, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Long-tailed Duck and single Red-breasted Merganser and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall and 2 Wigeon remain.
Dragonflies
A female Broad-bodied Chaser was unusual – there are only a few previous island records.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 205 moths of 23 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder and Heart and Dart the dominant species while Dusky Brocade was new for the year.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0830) revealed 510 Manx Shearwater, 211 Guillemot, 123 Gannet, 111 Kittiwake, 95 Common Scoter, 79 Sandwich Tern, 26 Razorbill, 8 Arctic Skua, 4 Fulmar, 3 Arctic Tern, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Long-tailed Duck and single Red-breasted Merganser and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
A Spotted Flycatcher was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall and 2 Wigeon remain.
Dragonflies
A female Broad-bodied Chaser was unusual – there are only a few previous island records.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 205 moths of 23 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder and Heart and Dart the dominant species while Dusky Brocade was new for the year.
First Fulmars finally appear offshore
24th May 2025 – overcast/rain clearing to showers WSW3/5
Offshore
Extended observations over the sea between the showers (0630-1130) produced 1465 Common Scoter, 720 Manx Shearwater, 425 Sandwich Tern, 260 Guillemot, 167 Gannet, 80 Kittiwake, 23 Razorbill, 9 Arctic Tern, 6 Fulmar, 6 Puffin, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Wigeon and Gadwall remain in residence and 400 Sanderling were the pick of the waders.
Offshore
Extended observations over the sea between the showers (0630-1130) produced 1465 Common Scoter, 720 Manx Shearwater, 425 Sandwich Tern, 260 Guillemot, 167 Gannet, 80 Kittiwake, 23 Razorbill, 9 Arctic Tern, 6 Fulmar, 6 Puffin, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Wigeon and Gadwall remain in residence and 400 Sanderling were the pick of the waders.
First Shelducklings appear
23rd May 2025 – bright and sunny/hazy NW1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0600-0700) produced 57 Guillemot, 54 Common Scoter, 50 Sandwich Tern, 19 Gannet, 7 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Manx Shearwater and 2 Puffin.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wigeon and Gadwall remain in residence and a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Breeding Birds
The first Shelduck brood has emerged and several Mallard families were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 106 moths of 26 species – with Treble Lines, Heart and Dart and Small Square-spot were the dominant species while Campion was new for the year.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0600-0700) produced 57 Guillemot, 54 Common Scoter, 50 Sandwich Tern, 19 Gannet, 7 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Manx Shearwater and 2 Puffin.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wigeon and Gadwall remain in residence and a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.
Breeding Birds
The first Shelduck brood has emerged and several Mallard families were seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 106 moths of 26 species – with Treble Lines, Heart and Dart and Small Square-spot were the dominant species while Campion was new for the year.
Little Gull
22nd May 2025 – overcast then sunny spells ENE3/4
Offshore
The sea (0630-0730) was quieter than of late but observations included a first-summer Little Gull amongst 60 Sandwich Tern, 21 Gannet, 16 Guillemot, 12 Common Scoter, 7 Manx Shearwater, 3 Razorbill and 2 Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall and Wigeon remain.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 125 moths of 33 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder, Heart and Dart and Lime Speck Pug the dominant species while Mullein Wave and Archers Dart were new for the year.
Offshore
The sea (0630-0730) was quieter than of late but observations included a first-summer Little Gull amongst 60 Sandwich Tern, 21 Gannet, 16 Guillemot, 12 Common Scoter, 7 Manx Shearwater, 3 Razorbill and 2 Puffin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall and Wigeon remain.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 125 moths of 33 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder, Heart and Dart and Lime Speck Pug the dominant species while Mullein Wave and Archers Dart were new for the year.
Auks and scoters
21st May 2025 – bright and sunny/hazy NW1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0600-0730) produced 730 Common Scoter, 410 Guillemot, 50 Sandwich Tern, 41 Razorbill, 29 Gannet, 15 Manx Shearwater, 10 Puffin, 6 Red-throated Diver and 4 Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
House Martin and Swallow continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wigeon and Gadwall remain in residence.
Breeding Birds
Following successful breeding in 2024 a male Goldcrest was again singing in suitable habitat on the island.
Cetaceans
Four Bottle-nosed Dolphin were also offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Large Skipper are now on the wing and the light trap held 208 moths of 36 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder, Heart and Dart and Small Square-spot remain the dominant species while Heart and Club and Yellow-barred Brindle were new for the year.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0600-0730) produced 730 Common Scoter, 410 Guillemot, 50 Sandwich Tern, 41 Razorbill, 29 Gannet, 15 Manx Shearwater, 10 Puffin, 6 Red-throated Diver and 4 Kittiwake.
Diurnal Migration
House Martin and Swallow continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wigeon and Gadwall remain in residence.
Breeding Birds
Following successful breeding in 2024 a male Goldcrest was again singing in suitable habitat on the island.
Cetaceans
Four Bottle-nosed Dolphin were also offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Large Skipper are now on the wing and the light trap held 208 moths of 36 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder, Heart and Dart and Small Square-spot remain the dominant species while Heart and Club and Yellow-barred Brindle were new for the year.
Long-tailed Duck
19th May 2025 – overcast then sunny spells ENE2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 1000 Common Scoter, 100 Sandwich Tern, 46 Gannet, 30 Guillemot, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Puffin, Arctic Skua and Long-tailed Duck. In addition, the large flock of Common Scoter remain assembled in the mouth of the bay.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall and Wigeon remain.
Cetaceans
Six Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 151 moths of 26 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder, Heart and Dart and Small Square-spot the dominant species.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 1000 Common Scoter, 100 Sandwich Tern, 46 Gannet, 30 Guillemot, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Puffin, Arctic Skua and Long-tailed Duck. In addition, the large flock of Common Scoter remain assembled in the mouth of the bay.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall and Wigeon remain.
Cetaceans
Six Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 151 moths of 26 species – with Treble Lines, Flame Shoulder, Heart and Dart and Small Square-spot the dominant species.
Gadwall new in
18th May 2025 – bright and sunny E2/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 125 Sandwich Tern, 120 Common Scoter, 25 Guillemot, 24 Gannet, 10 Razorbill, 9 Manx Shearwater, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake and single Red-throated Diver and Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A single Spotted Flycatcher was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Gadwall was the first for several years while waders included 3 Whimbrel.
Reptiles
A Common Lizard was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 287 moths of 41 species – the highest so far this year, totals remain dominated by Flame Shoulder and Treble Lines while Common Marbled Carpet, Garden Carpet, Tawny Shears, Mottled Rustic and Thistle Ermine were new for the year.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 125 Sandwich Tern, 120 Common Scoter, 25 Guillemot, 24 Gannet, 10 Razorbill, 9 Manx Shearwater, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake and single Red-throated Diver and Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A single Spotted Flycatcher was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Gadwall was the first for several years while waders included 3 Whimbrel.
Reptiles
A Common Lizard was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held 287 moths of 41 species – the highest so far this year, totals remain dominated by Flame Shoulder and Treble Lines while Common Marbled Carpet, Garden Carpet, Tawny Shears, Mottled Rustic and Thistle Ermine were new for the year.
More Puffins and Spotted Flycatchers
17th May 2025 – bright and sunny NE1/2 the W2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 160 Common Scoter, 150 Sandwich Tern, 48 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 6 Razorbill, 4 Puffin and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Two Spotted Flycatcher were logged.
Breeding Birds
Several family parties of Long-tailed Tit were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was the best of the rest.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0530-0630) produced 160 Common Scoter, 150 Sandwich Tern, 48 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 6 Razorbill, 4 Puffin and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Two Spotted Flycatcher were logged.
Breeding Birds
Several family parties of Long-tailed Tit were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl was the best of the rest.
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