Bird Sightings

The day started and remained hot and sunny. The local risk of thunderstorms never really came about so it remained dry all day.

Flycatcher spp by Pointless Wall. ©Thomas Weston

What's this flyctcher??? Today's big debate after being found on census today.

Cuckoo at Quarter Wall. ©Thomas Weston

Census was productive with 3 Mallard around Barton’s Field; a Cuckoo in Millcombe and one at Old Light that flew to Quarter Wall; a Feral Pigeon on the Lambing Shed; single Woodpigeon in Millcombe; 3 Oystercatchers in the Landing Bay; three large flocks of gulls totalled 11 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls and 127 Herring Gulls; 18 Guillemots and 48 Razorbills off Benjamin’s Chair; 7 Shags along the South coast; a single large female Peregrine flew along Tillage Field; 4 Carrion Crows, single Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird, 4 Robins, 4 Dunnock and 7 Ravens remained in Millcombe; a slight passage of hirundines resulted in 15 Swallows and 7 House Martins North; only 5 Skylarks were seen so we hope some are on nests; a Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats and 4 Chiffchaff were the only warblers seen; 11 Wrens and 88 Starling were recorded throughout; 3 Wheatears, Pied Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipits and a single Stonechat were in SouthWest Field; 25 House Sparrows were in the Village; the Chaffinch pair remained around the nest and a small flock of 25 Linnets and 8 Goldfinches were seen on the circuit.

Ringing

The clear weather did not produce any late falls of migrants, but a few hours in the gardens resulted in a couple of birds caught today.

One of two Reed Warblers at Old Light. ©Thomas Weston

Census was productive with 2 Woodpigeons, a Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, single Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird, 5 Robins, 3 Dunnock, 11 Wrens, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Dunnock, 8 Goldfinches in Millcombe; single Oystercatchers, 3 Shag, 2 Great-Black Backed Gulls and 3 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls in the Landing Bay; 12 Guillemots, 37 Razorbills, 2 Pied Wagtail, an ‘alba Wagtail’, and 2 Wheatear from Benjamin’s Chair; a flyover Ringed Plover and Grey Heron, 184 Herring Gulls, a hunting male Kestrel, 8 Carrion Crows, 12 Ravens, 3 Skylark, 18 Swallows, 5 House Martins, single Stonechat, 7 Meadow Pipits, and 19 Linnets were in the fields; 2 Reed Warblers were in Old Light Garden with one bird singing; 2 Feral Pigeons, 3 Collared Dove, 99 Starling, and 17 House Sparrows in the Village.

Collared Dove in the Village around the Lambing Shed. ©Thomas Weston

Another warm day on the island with bright blue skies and hot temperatures. It was impressive to see quite a bit of Saharan dust in the sunrise this morning. Without any concrete evidence, it is possibly this, as well as the wind direction that has been linked to the small influx of Painted Lady butterflies, Silver Y moths and the Southern Europe rarities we have had the last week.

Census was productive with 6 Woodpigeons, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Chaffinch (nest), single Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird, 4 Robins, 9 Wrens, single Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, in Millcombe; 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Shag, 2 Great-Black Backed Gulls and 2 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls in the Landing Bay; 14 Guillemots, 112 Razorbills, 20 auk spp, 2 Pied Wagtail and 2 Wheatear from Benjamin’s Chair; 215 Herring Gulls, single Peregrine, 14 Carrion Crows, 18 Ravens, 10 Skylark, 4 Swallows, 73 Starling, 4 Stonechat, 4 Meadow Pipits and 19 Linnets in the fields; and  6 Mallards, 4 Collared Dove, and 18 House Sparrows in the Village.

Ringing

The clear weather does not produce any late falls of migrants but a nice number of new Chiffchaffs and a Reed Warbler (island scarcity) was caught. A Cuckoo bounced out the net and a retrap Starling originally ringed last year as a chick was colour ringed in the Village today.

A warm day again today with hot temperatures recorded across the island.

Nightingale in Millcoombe. ©Thomas Weston

Census was busy with the Subalpine Warbler making it onto the count near Quarter Wall/Quarry Cottages (no sign since), as well as the Nightingale that was caught this morning in Millcombe plus all our other wonderful island birds currently up to Quarter Wall. Counts from our seabird station/productivity assessments and census resulted over 3000+ Guillemots, 500+ Razorbills and 300+ Puffins recorded today (specific counts by the Conservation Team to be added soon).

Ringing

A short session resulted in Golden Oriole and Nightingale caught in a meagre 7 birds.