Today’s weather conditions presented a moderate-to-fresh West wind blowing at Force 6, paired with moderate visibility and a choppy sea state of five. Temperatures reached a mild 13°C. The Northern Lights were briefly visable looking North from the Observatory.

Northern Lights looking North from the Observatory (c) Steven Stansfield

Seabird movement and coastal counts included one Arctic Skua, 2050 Razorbills and 111 Guillemots, 166 Gannets, 168 Kittiwakes, 10 Manx Shearwaters, 15 Shags, one Cormorant, seven Common Scoters, 156 Herring Gulls, 11 Great Black-backed Gulls, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls and one Common Gull with ten Curlews, five Whimbrels, four Turnstones, three Redshanks, one Ringed Plover, and one Snipe on coastal and wetland areas around the island. One Merlin at Withies and one Peregrine were also noted.

Landbird migration and grounded passerines brought a mix of autumn migrants, including one Yellow-browed Warbler at the Observatory, one Blackcap, seven Chiffchaffs, seven Goldcrests, 28 Rock Pipits, seven Meadow Pipits, two Alba Wagtails, nine Goldfinches, one Siskin, and two Chaffinches, 16 Robins,  one Redwing at the Observatory, one Wheatear, one Great Spotted Woodpecker at Nant, and one Skylark at the Narrows.

Marine mammal and seal monitoring recorded a total of 194 Grey Seals hauled out across the island, alongside 25 pups. Invertebrate and mammal records included two Red Admirals, one Painted Lady, and one Common Shrew found in the solar room.