Today was another hot one on the island, but with strong north easterly winds providing some much needed relief. Visibility was ok as heat haze was once again a challenge and the sea was a little rougher at a sea state three. 

Butterfly and day-flying moth activity was exciting today with a Clouded Yellow and a Comma butterfly seen! The comma was the definite highlight, seen twice at Nant and is a rarity on the island. This lined up with a huge arrival of Small Whites on the island with 81 recorded, 50 of which were around Cristin. We also had five Magpie moths and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth. A Migrant Hawker dragonfly at Nant was the first sighting of the year, likely having blown over from the mainland.

Small White © Joel Tragen 

In the afternoon, Joel and Ezra went round the East side to continue the Manxie census. While busy counting burrows, they discovered the first Storm Petrel chick of the year and were treated to a Kestrel hovering just off the coast. 

Wader activity is still high today, with a Lapwing and Snipe on the South End. Eight Curlews were also scattered around the island and three each of Redshanks and Common Sandpipers were recorded between Henllwyn and Solfach.

Another good day for Black-headed Gulls across the island with 14 seen, with a good mixture of juvenile and adult birds seen, three Sandwich Terns were also recorded.

Swallows were spotted all over the island, with a total of 43 recorded, many of which likely recent fledglings. We also had 26 House Martins seen between Cristin and the South End. Whilst eight Swifts were seen overhead.

Fresh juvenile Sedge Warbler caught at Cristin © Joel Tragen

A Grey Wagtail flew over the South End in the morning. Two Stonechats, four Wheatears and a Sedge Warbler were all seen today.  Seven Chiffchaffs,  two Goldcrests and 18 Linnets were also recorded.