A calmer morning with south-easterlies provided a short window to census the island before torrential rain set in for the remainder of the day, creating some new pools across the Narrows and increasing the size of any existing ponds!
On the Wader front, a Whimbrel was a welcome sighting as it flew south along the West Coast, meanwhile in the sodden Wetlands up to seven Common Snipe were roosting in the wet fields. Come evening, two Woodcock were seen flying off the Mountain over Nant, presumably to feed before continuing migration. The overwintering Purple Sandpipers were still present in good numbers at Solfach, with 54 providing excellent views where some are now showing their exquisite summer plumage.
The heavy rainfall produced a small fall of Wheatears and Stonechats predominantly across the South End, with 22 Wheatears and 10 Stonechats noted during the afternoon. Wheatears can arrive much later in the day compared to other passerines, so its not uncommon for numbers to increase here as the day progresses. Elsewhere on the island there were three more Wheatears including a prospecting pair and a further eight Stonechats scattered across the island.
A quieter afternoon around Cristin quickly livened up when Ed caught a Eurasian Treecreeper in the Heligoland Trap. This species is less than annual on the island, so was a very welcome sighting and suggested some movement from the mainland despite the poor conditions.
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