• Hoopoe

    Hoopoe © D Jones

  • Baltimore Oriole

    Baltimore Oriole © T Wright

  • Great Northern Diver

    Great Northern Diver © S Cossey

  • Red-rumped Swallow

    Red-rumped Swallow © D Fox

  • Lapland Bunting

    Lapland Bunting © R Campey

  • Pale-bellied Brent Goose

    Pale-bellied Brent Goose © R Taylor

  • Common Rosefinch

    Common Rosefinch © D Jones

  • Sora

Nice birding over the last 10 days enjoyed a 7th for the island, large bait balls attracting seabird and cetacean interest and signs that spring is just around the corner.

The 12th opened with new-for-year Skylark and Reed Bunting at Pondsbury while a female-type Black Redstart - absent from usual south coast haunts - occupied North End. The first Pied Wagtail appearance arrived on 16th, followed by another record on 18th coupled with a whisper of Meadow Pipit movement involving two birds in-off at Rocket Pole. The first Linnet of the year featured over the village on 15th, increasing to two birds associating around Upper Millcombe until 21st. Millcombe continues to be immersed in the subtle, high-pitched tik calls of Song Thrush, while up to three Redwing logged near daily and a single Fieldfare in St Helen's Field on 20th. The Smelly Gully Chiffchaff is still going strong and present throughout and was accompanied by second individual near the Casbah on 21-22nd. Concluding the passerine roundup, the small overwintering Stonechat population remains thinly distributed across the island with a pair at Jenny's Jove, a female near the Castle and a male at North End.

Guillemot and Razorbill numbers are increasing offshore, with the species mix weighted heavily towards Razorbill peaking at 223 off the Landing Bay on 19th. While traipsing across the island on letterbox maintenance duties, Shop Manager Sue Waterfield logged two ledges crowded with Guillemot near St Philip's Stone on 22nd. Fulmar sightings are beginning to increase, with singles logged during seawatches from The Ugly on 22nd and 23rd.  A large feeding frenzy involving 1,196 Kittiwake two kilometres offshore along east coast, was accompanied by 678 Herring Gull on 15th, followed by light Great Black-backed Gull passage on 23rd involving 18 individuals moving north along the east coast. Gull feeding frenzies have been a feature of the east coast, finally attraction the attention of 15 Common Dolphin on 19th, with the same pod logged again close in at Brazen Ward three days later. The Landing Bay Great Northern Diver has remained elusive, but present up to 19th.

2025 01 13 Great Black backed Gull in flight JSPGreat Black backed Gull in flight, 13 Jan © Joe Parker. Light passage north along east coast on 18 Jan

The full moon phase halted any nocturnal survey efforts but conditions are improving for the weekend ahead. Golden Plover were logged on several occasions south of Quarter Wall, peaking at 7 settled in High Street Field on 19th. Kestrel and female Merlin remained present around southern quarter throughout and a second female-type Merlin was observed bombing around North End on 12th. Peregrine territories are starting to be reclaimed, with pairs back at Gannets' and the South Coast, the latter being kept busy jostling with territorial Raven. A ringtail Hen Harrier made a welcome appearance on 18th, pushing north over High Street Field and brief Stock Dove appearance on 16th was kept alert by constant raptor threats.

However, Bird of the week is unquestionably awarded to the Landing Bay Red-necked Grebe on 22-23rd, constituting only the seventh island record. The last bird (logged in winter 2016/17) overwintered and stayed into early May! Will we be treated to a stunning summer plumage in a few months, only time will tell... In the meantime, let's see what Storm Éowyn brings.

Year list: 56

2025 01 23 Red necked Grebe JSPRed-necked Grebe in the Landing Bay, 23 Jan © Joe Parker