Bird Sightings

The highlight bird of the day was a Red-breasted Flycatcher found flycatching at Quarry Pond in the morning, relocating to Quarterwall Copse in the afternoon, the second record for the island this autumn. Three Yellow-browed Warbler were seen across the island, with another bird trapped and colour-ringed, the sixth ringed this autumn. A Firecrest was also seen in Millcombe. 687 Chaffinch were logged, along with 3 Hawfinch, four Brambling, and a Redpoll. 173 Redwing and 4 Ring Ouzel were recorded, along with a Whinchat, a Wheatear, four Black Redstart, and a Stock Dove. The Barnacle Goose continues to feed in Barton's Field throughout the day. 4 Snow Bunting were recorded including a juvenile female ringed at night in Southwest Field.

Red-breasted Flycatcher at Quarry Pond ©Ross Bower

A Moorhen was seen in St John's Valley is the first record for the autumn, as was a Hobby seen over Millcombe late afternoon. The Wryneck was still around the Upper East Side Path. A Siberian Chiffchaff was seen and subsequently ringed in Millcombe, five Yellow-browed Warblers were also seen across the island with one ringed in Millcombe, and three Firecrest. A Great Northern Diver and three Common Gull were seen in the Landing Bay. A Jack Snipe was in Barton's field and two Woodcock were in Millcombe early morning. The Barnacle Goose continues to hang around with domestic Geese in Barton's Field. 736 Chaffinch were recorded, alongside 69 Siskin, 2 Greenfinch, a Brambling, and a Hawfinch. 220 Redwing is the highest count of the autumn so far, and one Ring Ouzel was also seen. Three Snow Bunting, six Grey Wagtail, two Whinchat, and four Black Redstart were also recorded. 

Siberian Chiffchaff ringed in Millcombe ©Tom Williams

Eight Redpoll recorded today is the highest count for the autumn thus far, with limited passage of other finches. Seven Snow Bunting is also the highest count for the autumn, including a flock of five. The Barnacle Goose in Barton's Field, Wryneck along the Upper East Side Path (UESP), and Ortolan Bunting on Castle Hill were all still present today. Three House Martin were recorded alongside 157 Swallow. Single Lapwing and Woodcock were seen. A Yellow-browed Warbler was mobile between Millcombe and the UESP, along with three Firecrest distributed between Millcombe and the East Sidelands. Three Merlin and a Sparrowhawk made up the migrant raptors. Two Black Redstart and a Whinchat were also seen.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Rüppell's Quarry ©Brennig Hughes

An elusive Wryneck was seen around the Upper East Side Path, just north of Millcombe, this afternoon. The Ortolan Bunting was also seen again around Castle Hill for its fifth day. The Barnacle Goose continues to feed alongside the domesticated geese in Barton's Field. A Great Skua was seen on a morning seawatch heading west along the south coast of the island. Three female Teal and a Jack Snipe were seen at Pondsbury. A Woodcock was flushed from the east side. Two Firecrest were recorded, including one ringed in Millcombe in the morning. A Wheatear was seen at the North Light. Six Snow Bunting were seen, including a flock of four ranging between the terrace and Pondsbury, and a single bird seen feeding alongside the Ortolan on Castle Hill. 

Wryneck on the Upper East Side Path ©Richard Campey