Bird Sightings

The first passage Tree Pipit of the autumn brightened up an otherwise relatively quiet census route. Two juveniles were ringed in Millcombe and another two passed south overhead. Other notables from the session included an adult female Reed Warbler and two juvenile Whitethroat which had both completed their post-juvenile moult - so presumed migrants rather than our local fledglings. Elsewhere a Sparrowhawk graced VC Quarry and a Curlew was calling over Barton Field/St Helen's Field.

Juvenile Tree Pipit © Joe Parker

Balmy summer conditions enjoyed some light wader passage with an summer-plumage Knot taking top spot. Initially picked up feeding along the intertidal in Devil's Kitchen, the moulting adult was later seen in Lametry Bay. A Ringed Plover pressed north over Old Light at midday and 22 Gannet were feeding off the south-east coast. A single House Martin headed south accompanied by 11 Swallow. Another slight arrival of Willow Warbler as 28 individuals flitted about with 2 Spotted Flycatcher on the move.

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A big clearout of yesterday's Willow Warblers saw numbers drop to a mere 12 individuals, with adults still representing a significant percentage. Few other migrants on show, best of the bunch being 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 5 Sand Martin cruising south. Gannet numbers on the increase with 56 birds actively feeding along the east coast. Plenty of Manx Shearwater action at Old Light where a ringing team monitoring the colony encountered the first wave of fledglings (6 young) and a healthy rate of between-season re-traps.

Adult Willow Warbler © Joe Parker

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Welcome arrival of 173 Willow Warbler this morning, most filtering their way down into Millcombe and feeding across the valley. Eight Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Sedge and a Reed Warbler accompanied the action and a trickle of Swallow pressed south, as well as a Sand Martin and 5 House Martin. The juvenile Grey Heron continued to linger around Pondsbury for another day. Unfortunately conditions were too breezy to open any mist-nets despite the fresh arrival of migrants, and the murk has set in for the night. Break into your best rain dance - the island is still in desperate need of a good drenching!

Juvenile Peregrine © Joe Parker

Juvenile Willow Warbler © Joe Parker