By Thomas Weston
It's amazing how a couple of days off island can make you feel more refreshed. We love the island, but there is always this thing where staff especially say after about 12 weeks, you have to go off, even for a few days. Anyway, the day started with heavy downpours and thunder, something neither the mainland or the island have seen this summer. Is this the end of the summer?
On island, Kirsty got a soaking on her run this morning, but she said it was rather refreshing. We currently have 8 pups which are all doing great - 4 of which have just been seen today at the time of writing!
Greg was on census and had a good mix of species and numbers, he spotted 2 Dotterel who have been around the island for the past couple of days, 30 Willow Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warblers, single Garden Warbler, single Reed Warbler, single Redstart, 4 Tree Pipits, 2 Whinchats, 22 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 House Martins, and 2 Dunlins.
Guillemot from the Oldenburg by Thomas Weston
On our way back there was not massive numbers of birds: 2 Meditterranean Gulls with a flock of 9 Black-headed Gulls were probably the best for the island totals, there were only 2 Fulmar, 3 Manx Shearwaters, and 3 Gannets, but what was most impressive were the 82 Guillemots on the water who were mostly resting, though a couple were flying past. These species were nice, and a good start back to work. Amazingly, on our return, we glanced up to Millcombe and saw 8 Swifts flying around the Valley and the Village. It is good to see this stunning summer visitor before they head back south.
Also today, we say goodbye to Simon and Kirsty momentarilly, both on holiday for a little and back in the next couple of weeks.