Bird Sightings

One of two Reed Warblers at Old Light. ©Thomas Weston

Census was productive with 2 Woodpigeons, a Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, single Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird, 5 Robins, 3 Dunnock, 11 Wrens, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Dunnock, 8 Goldfinches in Millcombe; single Oystercatchers, 3 Shag, 2 Great-Black Backed Gulls and 3 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls in the Landing Bay; 12 Guillemots, 37 Razorbills, 2 Pied Wagtail, an ‘alba Wagtail’, and 2 Wheatear from Benjamin’s Chair; a flyover Ringed Plover and Grey Heron, 184 Herring Gulls, a hunting male Kestrel, 8 Carrion Crows, 12 Ravens, 3 Skylark, 18 Swallows, 5 House Martins, single Stonechat, 7 Meadow Pipits, and 19 Linnets were in the fields; 2 Reed Warblers were in Old Light Garden with one bird singing; 2 Feral Pigeons, 3 Collared Dove, 99 Starling, and 17 House Sparrows in the Village.

Collared Dove in the Village around the Lambing Shed. ©Thomas Weston

Another warm day on the island with bright blue skies and hot temperatures. It was impressive to see quite a bit of Saharan dust in the sunrise this morning. Without any concrete evidence, it is possibly this, as well as the wind direction that has been linked to the small influx of Painted Lady butterflies, Silver Y moths and the Southern Europe rarities we have had the last week.

Census was productive with 6 Woodpigeons, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Chaffinch (nest), single Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird, 4 Robins, 9 Wrens, single Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, in Millcombe; 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Shag, 2 Great-Black Backed Gulls and 2 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls in the Landing Bay; 14 Guillemots, 112 Razorbills, 20 auk spp, 2 Pied Wagtail and 2 Wheatear from Benjamin’s Chair; 215 Herring Gulls, single Peregrine, 14 Carrion Crows, 18 Ravens, 10 Skylark, 4 Swallows, 73 Starling, 4 Stonechat, 4 Meadow Pipits and 19 Linnets in the fields; and  6 Mallards, 4 Collared Dove, and 18 House Sparrows in the Village.

Ringing

The clear weather does not produce any late falls of migrants but a nice number of new Chiffchaffs and a Reed Warbler (island scarcity) was caught. A Cuckoo bounced out the net and a retrap Starling originally ringed last year as a chick was colour ringed in the Village today.

A warm day again today with hot temperatures recorded across the island.

Nightingale in Millcoombe. ©Thomas Weston

Census was busy with the Subalpine Warbler making it onto the count near Quarter Wall/Quarry Cottages (no sign since), as well as the Nightingale that was caught this morning in Millcombe plus all our other wonderful island birds currently up to Quarter Wall. Counts from our seabird station/productivity assessments and census resulted over 3000+ Guillemots, 500+ Razorbills and 300+ Puffins recorded today (specific counts by the Conservation Team to be added soon).

Ringing

A short session resulted in Golden Oriole and Nightingale caught in a meagre 7 birds.

A warm day with light SE winds resulted in some new arrivals again.

Subalpine Warbler by Pointless Wall. ©Thomas Weston

The standout highlight was two immature/female type Golden Orioles joining our adult male. This means that in the last four days, there have been three different birds seen in Millcombe and the surrounding area. Now that is pretty impressive, and we are not sure if there are an other sites across the UK that have this many at the moment. Moreover, thank you to one of our guests for reporting a female type of Subalpine Warbler on the Airfield to us this afternoon. The bird was refound again in the evening to help with the identity. However, the reluctancy to call, the super elusive behaviour of the bird in the gorse bushes, and the inability to drop a faecal sample in view made it incredible difficult to prove the bird's identity. Alas the bird will remain a Subalp spp. 

Census was productive with 4 Mallards, 2 Feral Pigeon, 5 Woodpigeons, 2 Collared Dove, 4 Oystercatchers, 8 Razorbills, 210 Herring Gulls, 2 Great-Black Backed Gulls, 13 Lesser-Black Backed Gulls, 3 Shag, single Peregrine, 8 Carrion Crows, 9 Ravens, 3 Skylark, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Swallows, 3 Chiffchaff, 9 Wrens, 45 Starling, single Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird, 8 Robins, single male Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 8 Dunnock, 29 House Sparrows, single Pied Wagtail, 8 Meadow Pipits, 2 Chaffinch, 20 Linnets, and 4 Goldfinches.