Friday 20 April 2018

We were shrouded in low cloud for much of today, but it was thin enough to allow a hazy sun to poke through and warm the island up nicely. Several times during the morning it looked like there was going to be a fantastic cloud inversion up on the mountain, but only when the cloud eventually cleared later in the evening did we get the surreal weather phenomenon that we were hoping for, making it look as though the island was floating in the sky.

In between typical daily chores that today involved taking apart a washing machine, today's sightings included a Fulmar, 33 Manx Shearwaters, a Gannet, a Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards, a Kestrel, a Peregrine, 20 Purple Sandpipers, two Whimbrels, two Curlews, nine Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper, three Black-headed Gulls, just one Guillemot and six Razorbills, a Puffin, a Little Owl, four Swallows, 20 House Martins, two Tree Pipits, a Stonechat, three Wheatears, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, the first Whitethroat of the year, 34 Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs, 36 Willow Warblers, two Goldcrests, a Starling, three Chaffinches, three Goldfinches, 61 Linnets and six Lesser Redpolls

Butterfly interest included the first Painted Lady of the year up on the mountain, a Green-veined White at the obs and two Peacocks. Moth trap totals continue to improve, with 11 Dark Sword-grass, a Early Grey, two Common Quaker, an Angle Shades, an Early Thorn, a Red Chestnut and Hebrew Character being an impressive tally considering the recent weather. Elachista canapennella and Acleris hyemana were seen day-flying around the mountain. 

 The first Painted Lady of the year is an early one! Freshly emerged from hibernation or an immigrant from the continent on these strong southerly winds? 


The old broken washing machine was taking up all the space in the shower room so something had to be done about it. I never knew they put a mahusive concrete slab in them.

 This evening's surreal cloud inversion 

The 'lads' enjoying the sunset this evening, from left to right: Nils (our fantastic volunteer this week), Billy and Ephraim (assistant wardens), Connor, Ben and Mark. Siân is behind the camera feeling a little outnumbered! 

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