21st May 2012 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
The sea again provided variety in not quantity with 15 Gannet, 11 Common Scoter, 8 Guillemot, 6 Sandwich Tern and single Common, Arctic and Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few newly grounded migrants were again in evidence despite the clear skies with 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Wheatear and single Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck continues in residence.
Moths
Again dominated by 34 Brown Silver-line but Flame Shoulder, Garden Carpet, Bright-line Brown-eye and Shoulder-striped Wainscot were new for the year while the highlight was a Pale Prominent (less than five previous records).
Images
Pale Prominent.
20th May 2012 – bright and sunny SE1
Offshore
The sea provided just small numbers of Gannet and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
A few migrants continue to move through with 15 Wheatear, 5 Spotted Flycatcher and a Willow Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
A single House Martin was the sole representative.
Miscellaneous
An Osprey flew through late yesterday morning.
Butterflies
The first Common Blue are now on the wing.
Images
Common Blue.
18th May 2012 – overcast, light rain ENE2/3
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Just 5 Wheatear and single Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Warbler were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swift were amongst small numbers of Swallow.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow showed too much interest in a brood of recently hatched Mallard ducklings for the liking of the attentive female which soon saw it off!. Several pairs of Barn Owl are now feeding young
Moths
A Silver Y was predictably the first migrant of the year.
17th May 2012 – overcast, light rain S1
Offshore
The sea provided 61 Arctic Tern, 42 Common Scoter, 27 Little Tern, 8 Sandwich Tern and single Red-throated Diver and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A sprinkling of newly grounded birds was apparent with 40 Wheatear, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap and Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin continue to move through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck continues in residence and waders included 2000 Dunlin, 500 Knot, 180 Ringed Plover, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit and 6 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Moths
Easily the best attraction of the year so far was dominated by 22 Brown Silver-line along with Angle Shades, Spectacle, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Shuttle-shaped Dart, White Ermine and Dark-barred twin-spot Carpet.
16th May 2012 – bright and sunny WNW1/2
Offshore
Two dark phase Arctic Skua amongst small numbers of Gannet, Guillemot and Common Scoter were the pick of morning observations (0830-0900). An evening check (1920-2010) yielded 30 Kittiwake, 20 Sandwich Tern, 20 Gannet, 3 Arctic Tern, 3 Little Tern and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear continue to dominate with 47 birds logged, however the only other evidence of obviously grounded birds involved a single Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Two Sand Martin were amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck continues in residence and six Whimbrel was the best of the waders logged.
Miscellaneous
A female Marsh Harrier drifted over the salt marsh in the evening.
15th May 2012 – sunny spells NNW3/2
Offshore
What a difference a day makes, observations (0800-0900) provided just small numbers of Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear remain to the fore with 24 birds logged along with 2 Willow Warbler, however the island’s hedgerows were full of territorial Whitethroat suggesting a further influx.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow, Sand Martin and Lesser Redpoll remain on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
Highlight of the day was a summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper amongst 2500 Dunlin and 140 Ringed Plover while 6 Whimbrel remain.
14th May 2012 – overcast W4/5/6
Offshore
Observations (0720-1000) provided 175 Gannet, 85 Manx Shearwater, 77 Guillemot, 66 Kittiwake, 48 Arctic Tern, 27 Razorbill, 16 Common Scoter, 15 Sandwich Tern, 14 Little Tern, 11 Fulmar, 4 Arctic Skua, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Great Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat and Blackcap were amongst 11 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallow were noted over the sea.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 350 Dunlin, 100 Turnstone, 50 Knot and 6 Whimbrel.
Images
Wheatear.
13th May 2012 – overcast SW4/5/6
Offshore
Observations (1115-1230 and 1630-1730) provided 70 Gannet, 47 Common Scoter, 44 Manx Shearwater, 20 Sandwich Tern 19 Kittiwake, 8 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and single dark-bellied Brent Goose and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 18 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 20 Whimbrel were the pick of the waders.
12th May 2012 – sunny spells NW3
Offshore
Observations (0830-0930 and 1900-2000) provided 32 Guillemot, 41 Gannet, 17 Razorbill, 20 Common Scoter, 4 Kittiwake and 14 Sandwich Tern, 4 Arctic Tern and a Common Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Another late morning influx of Wheatear was apparent with 67 birds logged, also seen were 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap and single Chiffchaff, Redstart and Garden Warbler the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Six Sand Martin and 3 House Martin were amongst a steady trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
50 Whimbrel, 170 Turnstone, 6 Golden Plover and a Black-tailed Godwit were the pick of the waders.
