Another lovely calm morning with a light easterly breeze force one to two and a slight sea state. Visibility was moderate and the day felt settled throughout and came to an end with a great sunset and some fab nigh-time skies!

Again much fixing cleaning and tidying went on during the day. the new tap in the washroom is a slow job, waiting for paints and sealants to dry etc...

Slow, but steady progress in the washroom

Grey Seal numbers were lower than earlier in the week with six hauled out at Henllwyn, five at Solfach and 18 elsewhere giving a total of 29 around the coastline. A single Small Tortoiseshell was seen at the Observatory, and the first Risso’s Dolphin of the year passed the South End during the morning.

The first Risso's of the year was off the South End © Ezra Sherwell

At sea four Gannets were off the South End and a total of 31 Shags  and five Cormorants were also logged. A single Little Egret was around the Narrows. The largest ever flock of Canada Geese arrived from the north‑east with 16 flying past the West Coast, and the Brent Goose lingered at Solfach. Six Shelducks remained split between Henllwyn and Solfach. Mallards totalled six with pairs at Solfach, Pwll Cristin and the North End. 

The second Red Kite of the week drifted along the West Coast, one Sparrowhawk came in off the sea at the South End and a Buzzard was around Nant and over the Mountain. A Merlin was also seen hunting at the South End.

Red Kite © Ezra Sherwell

Waders were fairly well distributed. One Ringed Plover was seen on Solfach and one Snipe was recorded around the Narrows. 

Ringed Plover ©Ezra Sherwell

Two Whimbrels were logged, one along the West Coast and one at the North End. A single Curlew remained at the South End. Redshanks totalled three at Solfach. Oystercatchers reached 148 with 44 at Henllwyn, 38 at the South End, 22 along the West Coast, 20 at Solfach, five around the Narrows and 15 on the west side.

Lesser Black‑backed Gulls numbered 22 at the North End colony. Herring Gulls reached 125 with 115 also at the colony. Seven Great Black‑backed Gulls were scattered between the South End, Solfach, the West Coast and the North End. Two Kittiwakes were seen along the West Coast. Auks included 11 Guillemots and 15 Razorbills with 12 auk sp. elsewhere.

Woodpigeons totalled seven across the island. Moorhens increased to five between the Wetlands, the Withies and the freshwater pools. A single Ringed Plover and one Snipe note were seen, and the three Redshanks were still on Solfach.

A notable reduction occurred in the sizable pipit movements of yesterday. Meadow Pipits totalled 142 across the island with 46 on the west side, 45 on the South End and smaller numbers elsewhere. Rock Pipits rose to 14 including eight around the South End. Pied Wagtails remained low with a single bird at the Narrows and two alba wagtails at the South End.

Wrens were conspicuous again with 27 counted across many areas. Dunnocks reached six and Blackbirds numbered four. Stonechats totalled three with birds at the South End, the Wetlands and the West Coast. Ten Wheatears were logged including four males at the South End and four males and one female around the Narrows, with another male on the west side.

Chiffchaffs reached nine including birds at the Wetlands, Nant and Cristin. Goldcrests remained numerous with 11 around the island, nine of them in the plantation. A Firecrest was also present at Nant, a highlight for the day along with a Blackcap.

Six Choughs were spread between the South End, the Mountain and the west side. Two Ravens were over the Narrows during the afternoon.

Finches included two Chaffinches, four Goldfinches, two Siskins on the South End and plantation, and six Linnets scattered between the South End, the Narrows and Nant. Two Lesser Redpolls were at the South End.

The Observatory after dark © Steven Stansfield