Force 5 south-westerly winds led to sea state 5 with good visibility, although rain showers were present throughout the day, and a maximum temperature of 18°C.

A morning seawatching session produced the highlights of today, with a Balearic Shearwater seen going south, although difficult to pick up in the rougher waves, whilst a Great Skua was seen high off the west coast. Other seabird highlights included 11 Common Scoter, 19 Sandwich Tern, 10 Arctic Tern, five Guillemot, and six Razorbill passing through. A total of 76 Gannet were recorded across the island, as well as six Fulmar, four Cormorant, 12 Shag, 80 Kittiwake, and 20 Manx Shearwater off the west coast.

Yesterday’s Quail had stayed overnight and was relocated for a second day in the lowlands. Wader numbers weren’t as high as in recent days but included five Ringed Plover, five Whimbrel, 37 Curlew, four Redshank, six Turnstone, and 16 Dunlin, two of which were ringed during a dazzling session in the evening. Passerines included a single Tree Pipit flying over the observatory, 10 Meadow Pipit, seven Rock Pipit, four White Wagtail, and 73 Alba Wagtail throughout the day. Other migrants included 35 Swallow, one House Martin, and five Wheatear, whilst warblers included three Blackcap, five Chiffchaff, three Willow Warbler, and one juvenile Whitethroat in the wetlands.

Several butterflies were of note, including a Small Tortoiseshell, and one Small Copper, as well as a good count of five Humming-bird Hawk-moth. No cetaceans were seen today, but other wildlife included two Violet Ground Beetles, a possible Southern Migrant Hawker, and five Slow Worms in the observatory garden.

Students on a Manx Shearwater chick walk

The students from the University Week helped out with ringing today, with a total of five Storm Petrels at the north end at night, followed by 23 Manx Shearwater chicks ringed from burrows during the day, giving everyone a chance to gain valuable experience.