Bird Sightings
11th October - Barnacles, Brambling, and Buntings
Finch passage increased notably with 213 Chaffinch, 49 Goldfinch, 71 Siskin, and four Brambling, the first of the autumn, recorded today. 14 Barnacle Geese were seen touring the island around midday. A Lapland Bunting flew south along the west coast, and a Snow Bunting was feeding on the main track by the airfield. Three Reed Warbler were in Millcombe and St John's Valley, two were trapped and ringed. A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen by Millcombe Pond, and a Willow Warbler in Punchbowl Valley. Two Firecrest and a Spotted Flycatcher in Millcombe also. A male Ring Ouzel was at North Quarry, a Fieldfare was feeding in Barton's Field, three Grey Wagtail overhead, and a Tree Pipit flew west over Benjamin's Chair. Six Water Rail recorded today is a notable count for the autumn. Three Merlin and Two Sparrowhawk were recorded, and the Short-toed Lark was seen around its favoured cowpat.
Chaffinch in St John's Valley ©Tom Williams
10th October - Whooper Swans
Three Whooper Swan, two adults and a juvenile, were seen flying north up the west side of the island this morning, as well as being picked up distantly over Gannets' Combe by passengers on the MS Oldenburg. An increase in Thrush and Finch passage today saw three Ring Ouzel and 69 Redwing recorded in the morning, with 3 Siskin and 63 Goldfinch also tallied. 3 Firecrest were seen in Millcombe, a late Tree Pipit was heard at Belle Vue Cottages, single Grey Wagtail heard at Bramble Villa, and a Reed Bunting ranged across Quarter Wall. Hirundine passage is dwindling with a Sand Martin the highlight among 39 Swallow and 11 House Martin. 2 Merlin were seen, and singles of Golden Plover and Teal.
Ring Ouzel in flight over Millcombe ©Tom Williams
9th October - Yellow-browed Warbler colour-ringed
Today's highlight was a Yellow-browed Warbler ringed in Millcombe this morning - the first to be ringed on the island this autumn, and now sporting a unique combination of colour rings as part of a national monitoring project. Two Ring Ouzel were seen on census, with one bird on the edge of Millcombe and another on the Upper East Side Path. A Grey Wagtail, two Siskin, and two Firecrest were also seen in Millcombe this morning. Female Merlin, five Wheatear, a Common Ringed Plover, and four Golden Plover were recorded elsewhere. The Short-toed Lark continues to feed along the main track by Halfway Wall.
Short-toed Lark © Shaun Barnes
8th October - Barnacle Geese
Barnacle Geese were the highlight of the day, with a flock of 3 seen flying around the south end early morning, and a flock of 4 picked up mid-afternoon ranging between Pondsbury and the village. This is the 13th record of Barnacle Goose for the island and the first since 2022. 33 Redwing were recorded, the highest count of these migratory thrushes of the autumn so far. A Ring Ouzel was also briefly seen and heard at the Timekeeper's Hut in the evening. At Pondsbury a Reed Bunting, Teal, and Whinchat were recorded, with an additional Whinchat recorded on Ackland's Moor. A single Lapwing and 3 Golden Plover were the highlight waders, and 5 Firecrest were recorded in Millcombe.
Barnacle Geese © Adam Hobbs
Redwing at Old Light © Tom Williams