by Greg Lee
Census today with a breeze and heavy dew in the morning making for a cool start as I got out of my tent. Millcombe appeared quiet to begin with, Willow Warblers just tipping over into double-figures in the morning. Interestingly, a young newly fledged Song Thrush was a notable sighting. This indicates that our ever-present male during spring actually did find a mate, though just clearly enjoyed the sound of his own voice. One of the Blackbirds was in heavy moult, having been run ragged by the demands of his chicks through spring, it was clearly enjoying spending time hiding and moulting its feathers. I then found a pair of Blackbird wings on the Beach looking quite like a predated pair of Manx Shearwater wings, indicating one juvenile hadn't quite made it. Migrant Hawkers are starting to become daily features of census now and I spotted several of these dragonflies on the wing during the morning, but I was also lucky to see one perched and obtain a photo near Government House.
Migrant Hawker by G.Lee
The Channel Wagtails were around Rocket Pole, one noisily calling, whilst a Kestrel was also hovering over the site, enjoying the slight raise in the breeze. Offshore, a few Kittiwakes looked absolutely tiny against the waves, whilst the larger Gannets were soaring distantly across the water. At Stoneycroft garden, which is quickly turning into one of my favourite sites to check, I stopped and waited, staring at the two small bushes in the centre of the garden. Lo and behold, a Reed Warbler soon appeared and enjoyed skulking through the vegetation, just another species to add to a strong roster at this spot so far this autumn, what else will occur? A Willow Warbler nearby was also welcomed but most of the birds around the garden were Linnets, with several other large congregations seen at various points across the census route. Meadow Pipits too are becoming even more conspicuous, the buff-coloured juveniles looking quite distinctive compared to their parents.
Reed Warbler by G.Lee
Over the Airfield, my first Whimbrel autumn of bubbled away, though remained unseen. Hopefully we may get some rain to provide standing water for when wader passage really ramps up, though we may need a lot on our parched island! The usual spot near Pointless Wall also delivered a Sedge Warbler flushed from the Bracken before it dived into deep cover. As I headed back into the Village, a Swift whizzed over northwards.
Then it was office work time with some seabird data and general Bird Observatory data needing inputting. An important and interesting task to do now that the seabird season is over. It will be interesting to see the results of the long hours of work that Emma and I put into the seabird monitoring from mid-May into the middle of July. As I stepped out of the Tavern after my KP shift, I walked through the Laundry garden where I was amazed to see 100+ Silver Y’s all nectaring on the bush in the garden, clearly some moth migration was afoot!
Other sightings of note today included a Black-headed Gull seen by Thomas in the Landing Bay mid-morning and just nine Puffins seen at Jenny’s from the Seabird Station by Jessie.