Bird Sightings

A breezy day on the island with sightings of Manx Shearwater and Guillemot from the Oldenburg reported to us by visitors. Census is not required throughout July so our efforts are primarily based around the seabirds. Our Seabird Station was productive with Puffins (including Pufflings), Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, Lesser-Black Backed Gulls, and Great-Black Backed Gulls all seen. A quick check of our Herring Gull productivity site resulted in at least 21 chicks noted, and amazingly, they seem to be doing well. Our Manx Shearwaters are doing great, with our productivity site continuing to be in full swing.

House Sparrow from the Village. ©Sophie Wilkins

Not many sightings today, so here is a photo from the Sparrow Project Team who are currently undertaking their ongoing research here on the island. The House Sparrows are currently on to their third brood so lots of chicks to come soon.

A busy seabird productivity day resulting in good coverage across the island. Lots of the passerines are heading into moult, so our resident species are a little lower than expected as they head for cover to replace their feathers.

Guillemot chick at our productivity colony. ©Thomas Weston

Totals from across the island included a single Mallard, 6 Feral Pigeons, a single Woodpigeon, 8 Collared Dove, 7 Oystercatcher, single Curlew heard over the Landing Bay, 476 Puffins, 3352 Guillemots, 833 Razorbills, 200 Auk sp.., 72 Herring Gulls, 10 Great-Black Backed Gulls, 13 Lesser-Black Backed Gull, 38 Fulmar, 60 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Gannets, 29 Shag, single Kestrel, single Peregrine, 15 Carrion Crows, 7 Raven, 12 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 4 Whitethroats, single Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcaps, 9 Wrens, 56 Starlings, 2 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 26 Wheatears, 5 Stonechat, single Dunnock, 36 House Sparrows, 3 Pied Wagtails, 28 Meadow Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits, 5 Chaffinch, 47 Linnets and 7 Goldfinches were seen.

A quiet period for the island with the breeding season in full swing for most of the seabirds and passerines. Our seabird productivity surveys were not undertaken today resulting in observations for auks coming from census counts only hence the low numbers.

Totals from across the island included a single Mallard, 4 Feral Pigeons, a single Woodpigeon, 9 Collared Dove, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Puffins, 57 Guillemots, 61 Razorbills, 35 Herring Gulls, 5 Great-Black Backed Gulls, 13 Lesser-Black Backed Gull, single Fulmar, Manx Shearwaters, 3 Shag, 3 Carrion Crows, 3 Raven, single Skylark, single Swallow, 2 Whitethroats, single Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Wrens, 42 Starlings, 2 Blackbirds, single Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 3 Wheatears, single Stonechat, 2 Dunnock, 22 House Sparrows, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Meadow Pipits, single Rock Pipits, single Chaffinch, 6 Linnets and 2 Goldfinches were seen.