By Thomas Weston
Today started with a warm, breezy south westerly wind gracing the Village. Eleanor and I started census and made our way down through Millcombe. The valley was alive with activity, with a nice upsurge in returning breeding Linnets, the resident Blackbirds showing themselves and a nice bubbly flock of 18 Goldfinches - a small increase on the last few days where numbers have remained around 12 individuals. Chaffinches were in full song, as were the Dunnocks, Song thrush, Wrens, Robins, and even a Water Rail. The Landing Bay was unusually quiet with a few gulls, 4 Oystercatchers, and a couple of Shag. We checked in with the ringers who have been having a quiet day today and quickly went back to the bushes where we found a nice flock of 10 Blackcap near Millcombe House totalling, most of whom were females. We also saw some nice Chiffchaffs, a couple of Willow Warblers and heard 2 Grasshopper Warblers in St John’s – our first of the year. Absolutely love them!
Walking round the south coast and the species list continued increased, with a flock of Kittiwakes, 2 Fulmar, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 227 Razorbills, and a couple of the breeding Ravens showing well over Rocket Pole. An unringed Wheatear was nice to see too. Walking up to Old Light, the Skylark were in full song and flocks of Meadow Pipits graced the path whilst a small trickle of Swallows and Sand Martins flew overhead as they moved Northwards. The Airfield was quite quiet but the Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnets were all in full voice, as well as a Wren and an out of place Blackbird! The gorse bushes by Pointless Wall can turn up rarities but today held 3 Willow Warblers and a Blackcap who were very exciting to bump into. The area of Quarter Wall added a few nice views of Wheatear before heading back to the Village. Checking Barton’s and the first Yellow Wagtail of the year was seen, in fact it showed us it’s head and quickly became the first Blue headed Wagtail of the year! Success and a new migrant for the year.
We opened the walkin trap for Starlings and Sparrows but ended up catching a flock of Goldfinches including a bird originally ringed in Pembrokeshire in April 2025, a bird ringed on island in 2024, another from 2025 and a new unringed bird too. We closed the trap to check the Manx Shearwater Boxes with lots of success with two individuals seen, as well as four colour ringed Wheatear read. A busy day and more Manx Shearwater catching/guided walk for the visitors later! The fun life of a Bird Observatory Warden.