It was a big day for Willow Warbler migration on the 15th, with 102 counted on census, and 132 seen in the day as a whole. Other warbler passage to note on this day includes nine Whitethroat and three Sedge Warbler; the latter were ringed in Millcombe. The 15th was also the first bumper day of the autumn for Spotted Flycatcher, with 22 noted. One Pied Flycatcher was ringed in Millcombe and a further bird seen throughout the day.
Pied Flycatcher. J. Parker
We have had a very small push of hirundines recently, three Sand Martin passing over Hanmer's Cottage on the 14th and 15 across the Island on the 15th, and one House Martin over the Village on the 17th.
Wader passage is beginning to increase, several species noted across the last few days. On the 14th a Whimbrel was heard faintly calling from several locations across the South End of the Island. On the 15th a Curlew called below Brick Field and a Common Sandpiper was heard in the Landing Bay in the early hours of the morning. A Ringed Plover and a Dunlin called from Tent field on the 16th, and Dunlin were recorded again on the 16th and 17th. One Snipe was found on Quarter Wall Pond on the 17th.
The highest count of August, 36 Fulmar were counted along the coastlines on the 14th. Two Cormorant flew off the East coast on this day, heading south. A juvenile Grey Heron drifted over the North End Turning Circle on the 15th.
Three Clouded Yellow butterflies were noted on the 15th, and we have had daily sightings of Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Milllcombe. A Spiny Starfish and the test of a Sea Potato were found in the Landing Bay 14th. We also have a couple new Grey Seal pups, on Lady's and White Beach.