This weeks highlight came in the form of a Pallas’s Warbler which turned up in Millcombe on the 6th. It was first spotted around the pond and Smelly Gully before heading into one of the nets.
Pallas's Warbler - Only the ninth record of this species on the Island. (Bird ringed under licence)
Chiffchaff and Blackcap are still moving through the island in small numbers with a peak of 18 Blackcap on the 6th. A single late Willow Warbler was also ringed this week on the 8th. This is the latest recorded sighting of Willow Warbler in any year, with most of the autumn passage for this species taking place in July and a few records going into August. Some crest movement is still ongoing with up to 10 Goldcrest spotted each day and 3 Firecrest recorded for the week between the 6th and 8th.
Low numbers of Finch are still trickling though Millcombe with triple figures of Chaffinch every day from the 5th-7th and a maximum count of 260 on the 5th. Up to 3 Brambling and 15 Siskin have been seen in Millcombe every day between the 5th and 9th, as well as a single Redpoll on the 6th. Redwing numbers were up to 120 on the 6th and Blackbird numbers peaked at 13 in Millcombe on the 6th. The Treecreeper is still present with sightings on the 5th, 6th and 9th in Millcombe woods. A Black Redstart was seen near to the Old Lighthouse on the 8th and 3 Swallows were reported on the same day around the South end.
The Greenland White-fronted Goose was last seen on the 3rd when it presumably departed. Waders this week have included 2 Lapwing and 2 Snipe on the 8th, and 3 Woodcock sightings between the 7th and 8th. A single Merlin is still present with sightings recorded most days. High counts of Gannet and Kittiwake were also noted on the 8th, with 40 and 450 respectively observed out from the Landing Bay.