Monday, 10 August 2026

Northerly winds at Force 4 brought a slight drop in temperature to 18°C, with smooth Force 2 seas and very good visibility creating excellent conditions across both land and sea.

Marine sightings included a group of six Risso's Dolphins, which included an adult and calf pair with four adults off Pen Cristin. A single Sunfish was also logged off the east side. Butterfly and insect activity recorded two Small Coppers, three Common Blues, and a Grayling, all at Pen Cristin.


One of the Risso's Dolphins seen during the day (c) Phoebe Moss

Overhead and out to sea, a full adult breeding-plumage Arctic Skua flying low over the South End provided a morning census highlight. Out to sea a small number of birds were moving throughout the day including 80 Manx Shearwaters off the South End, 18 Gannets, 28 Shags, 13 Cormorants, five Kittiwakes, and two Fulmars. Waders included 39 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlews, 11 Redshanks at Henllwyn, two Whimbrels, two Ringed Plovers (heard at the South End and later seen at Henllwyn), and a Dunlin over Solfach and the Narrows. Additional coastal sightings featured a Little Egret east of Henllwyn, a Grey Heron at the Narrows, and a Mallard at Solfach.

Passerine activity was mixed across the island, with 28 Swallows, 18 House Martins, 14 Willow Warblers, 12 Wheatears, 11 Meadow Pipits, and two Chiffchaffs logged. Resident bird totals included 14 Choughs including 10 at Pen Cristin, 10 Linnets, six Stonechats, four Woodpigeons, three Pied Wagtails, two Sparrowhawks, two Peregrines at the North End, and a single Robin.

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