It has been changeable weather today, starting off quite grizzly with 15mph south-westerlies, drizzle and rain. Later in the afternoon, the weather cleared and the evening was very calm and mild, basically as good as it gets.

West Coast this afternoon

Waders were in good numbers though with nine Turnstones around the Narrows along with three Purple Sandpipers, the first returning birds since 8th May when spring passage came to an end. Other waders included 13 Whimbrels, nine Redshanks, Curlews and seven Common Sandpipers, a bird that has now become a common sight and sound down on the beaches and the rocks on the coast. The Oystercatcher juveniles are now fully grown and many are seen all over the island.

Juvenile Oystercatcher on the West Coast

Gareth's field of barley, quinoa and sunflowers has been invaded (in a good way) by redshank and borage, making it a sea of red and blue, with the occasional sunflower poking through. The Linnets are already loving this field. Hopefully, in late autumn, there will be many finches and buntings benefitting from the dropped seeds.

 Sunflowers bursting through the redshank

Borage up close in the same field