Bird Sightings

A big clear out of common and scarce migrants but a seawatch from SW Point in strong W winds resulted in a Pomaraine Skua, 67 Gannets, 4 Guillemots, a single Razorbill, 8 Auk spp., 3 Fulmars, a single Whimbrel, 4 Kittiwakes, and 8 Manx Shearwaters.

Ringing

An evening nightcatching session led to 8 Manx Shearwater and a retrap Skylark being caught.

A big fall again on the island today with the most noticeable being the warblers. Birding began at midnight with 2 Tree Pipits heard flying around over the Village just after the turn of the new day. They were heard flying around Benjamin’s Chair where the release of a couple of Village Manx Shearwaters was being made.

Census was very busy with 15 Mallard, single Water Rail, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, single Herring Gull, 4 Lesser-black backed gulls, 3 Gannets, 33 Shag, 3 Kestrel, single Peregrine, 41 Carrion Crows, 3 Ravens, 2 Sand Martins, 9 Swallows, 59 Blackcap, single Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Reed Warblers, 12 Willow Warbler, 29 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrests, 3 Firecrest, 12 Wrens, 95 Starlings, 6 Blackbird, 28 Spotted flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 9 Robin, 12 Wheatears, 3 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 2 Dunnock, 17 House Sparrows, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtails, 6 Tree Pipits, 18 Meadow Pipits, single Rock Pipit, 6 Chaffinches, 30 Linnets, and 22 Goldfinches.

Along the Terraces 50+ Blackcap, 5 Whitethroats, 14 Spotted flycatchers, and a female Redstart. In Millcombe later this morning yielded a Red-backed shrike, the first one this year and a rather scarce bird for the island too! Meanwhile, there were 3 Spotted flycatchers and 2 Wheatears on South Light.  

Ringing

House Martin caught and ringed in Millcombe. ©ThomasWeston

A successful hour in the afternoon resulted in over 50 birds caught including a House Martin and a nice mix of Blackcap and other migrants.

Manx Shearwater in the Village. ©ThomasWeston

Another stray Manx Shearwater appeared between Old School today.

The rain and wind was very strong today and made for a damp day overall but a good fall with birds presumably from the East of the country filtering their way across and making it to the West and Lundy. Highlights from today’s fall taking into consideration census, Pondsbury and the Terraces included 40 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 5 Whinchats, 16 Wheatear, 10 Tree Pipits, 2 Reed Warblers, single Sedge Warbler, 21 Willow Warblers, 24 Chiffchaffs, 7 Whitethroats, 34 Blackcaps, 7 Goldcrests, single Firecrest, 4 Snipe, 3 Ringed Plover, 40 Swallows, single Grey Wagtail, single Teal, and single Yellow Wagtail.

A busy day on the island with a big fall of migrants. Ringing in Millcombe, census, an all round island cruise and a night of disorientated Manx Shearwaters led to a very busy day. The highlights included 5 Common Scoters out in the East; Eurasian Teal on Pondsbury; 6 Black-headed gulls flew North off the East Coast; a Grey Wagtail in Millcombe; a very nice arrival of warblers including large numbers of Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroats, single Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warblers; 50+ Spotted flycatchers signifying a large arrival; 3 Pied Flycatchers; 2 Firecrest in Millcombe; 453 Shag around the island; 17 Yellow Wagtails in the fields; 15 Whinchat; Sanderling over Quarter Wall; 2 Ringed Plover at Benjamin’s Chair; a Greenshank flew high out to the East over Millcombe; a Green Sandpiper flew low West over the Village; and a Common Sandpiper in the Landing Bay.

Ringing

Willow Warbler juvenile caught and ringed in Millcombe. ©Thomas Weston

A succesful ringing session with a large arrival of migrants, especially warblers, noted. Also, four stray Manx Shearwaters found their way into the Village this evening with one making its way into the Tavern.