The 3rd was very blustery day with a strong south‑westerly wind force eight, a moderate sea state and generally murky visibility. Light rain fell at dawn and conditions remained unsettled throughout, although temperatures climbed to 12°C.

With Guests due within 24 hours it was all hands to the pumps following census. Cleaning and trying to get the work completed on the Obs. Joel and Ezra have done a great job in helping us get everything done. Emma carried on working late into the evening getting the beds tidies and all the place polished etc. on the north side. Steve spent the day finishing getting all the beds dressed, rooms cleaned on the south side and painting the rotten wall. Joel and Ezra began the final clean down of the Obs after Emma had done some training with them in the afternoon. Connor was pumping oil and generally helping tidy up. We were getting there!

The wall post dry-rot treatment and waiting for paint. ©Steven Stansfield

First coat of paint on © Steven Stansfield

In terms of non-fungi related wildlife (!) inverts remained scarce but included a single Small Tortoiseshell at the LSA hut. Day‑flying moths comprised one Early Thorn, one Common Quaker and a single Twenty‑plume Moth at the Observatory.

Offshore activity included one Fulmar and five Manx Shearwaters passing the South End. One Gannet moved through the Narrows and seven Shags were present around the coast. A single Great Black‑backed Gull, two Kittiwakes and two Guillemots were also noted offshore.

Wildfowl included four Shelducks split between Henllwyn and Solfach. Mallards totalled eight across several freshwater sites. The two Gadwall were present at Pwll Cain. Moorhens were logged at three sites.

Raptors were well represented despite the weather. Two Sparrowhawks were seen, along with a Buzzard at Nant and two Peregrines recorded around the Observatory.

Waders were dominated by Oystercatchers, which totalled 151, the majority gathered around the Narrows. Two Snipes were at the Wetlands. A single Curlew was logged along the West Coast and one Redshank remained at Solfach.

Gulls were present in larger numbers, with 218 Herring Gulls concentrated at Solfach, while eight Great Black‑backed Gulls were seen.

Woodpigeons were numerous again, totalling 29 across the island.

Passerine movement was noticeably reduced in the difficult conditions. Meadow Pipits totalled 20 and Rock Pipits 11. Three 'alba' Wagtails moved overhead. Only one Stonechat and one Wheatear were recorded and Blackbirds totalled three.

Warbler diversity remained low. Chiffchaffs dropped to six, with a single Willow Warbler also noted. One Blackcap was logged and Goldcrests numbered six.

The ringed Blue Tit was recorded at Nant. Nine Choughs gathered around the Observatory area, one Rook seen in the Observatory garden.

Finches were scarce, with just six Linnets logged.