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.

The weather today brought fresh and breezy conditions, featuring a West wind blowing at Force 6 with a rough sea state of seven and moderate visibility. A brief shower midmorning was the only precipitation recorded, while temperatures reached a mild 16°C.

Coastal view over the West Coast from the Narrows (c) Ezra Sherwell

Seawatching efforts recorded some strong movement throughout the day featuring 117 Gannets, 864 Kittiwakes, 26 Manx Shearwaters, two Common Scoters, two Great Skuas, one Arctic Skua, one Arctic Tern, 1993 Razorbills, 148 Guillemots, four Black-headed Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls, and two Common Gulls all moving south along the west coast. Other seabird and coastal counts included 21 Shags, five Cormorants, 140 Herring Gulls, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 13 Great Black-backed Gulls, 34 Curlews on Henllwyn, 10 Turnstones, four Whimbrels and three Redshanks. Raptors noted included 2 Merlins and a Peregrine at the North End.

Landbird migration and grounded passerines featured 33 Rock Pipits, 14 Meadow Pipits, one Pied Wagtail at Solfach, 13 Goldfinches, two Linnets, 19 Robins, nine Chiffchaffs, six Goldcrests, one Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Observatory and a Wheatear at the South End.

Marine mammal monitoring offshore recorded a Risso's Dolphin off the west coast. Insects noted were 4 Lunar Underwings at the Observatory, 2 Humming-bird Hawk-moths at the Observatory (including one in Joel's bedroom), and a Red Admiral at the Observatory.

Conditions today brought a South-Westerly wind blowing at Force 4, moderate visibility, and a sea state of 4, with rain setting in by the evening as temperatures reached a mild 14°C.

Passerines counts on the island included notable records of one Red-breasted Flycatcher found in Cristin Withy which was later caught, and one Yellow-browed Warbler at Cristin. Other species included a Reed Bunting on the South End, 39 Robins, 12 Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps, 10 Goldcrests, 32 Rock Pipits, two Song Thrushes, one Mistle Thrush near the School House, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Visual migration counts produced some small movement with 54 Skylarks, 56 Meadow Pipits, 25 Linnets, 12 Goldfinches, 3 Siskins, one Redpoll, 20 Rooks and two Jackdaws. A variety of reptors were also observed including 2 Merlins on the South End, one Buzzard over Cristin, one Peregrine and one Sparrowhawk.

Red-Breasted Flycatcher (c) Steven Stansfield

Some modest seabird movement occured throughout the morning with 467 Razorbills, one Guillemot, 37 Kittiwakes, 28 Gannets passing south, three Mediterranean Gulls, four Black-headed Gulls and 17 Common Gulls off both the South and North ends. A selection of wildfowl and waders were also recorded passing the island and on the coasts, including a flock of five Whooper Swans recorded passing north along the west coast, 22 Common Scoters, three Teals moving south, 40 Curlews on Carreg yr Howny, 2 Whimbrels,  4 Redshanks, 2 Lapwings roosting on the Black Rocks, 14 Turnstones, 2 Purple Sandpipers, one Ringed Plover at Solfach and 2 Snipes.

Whooper Swans (c) Joel Tragen

Coastal and marine monitoring recorded a total of 197 Grey Seals, alongside 35 pups. Insects and other wildlife noted included 5 Lunar Underwings at the Observatory, 5 Red Admirals, a Humming-bird Hawk-moth at the Observatory, a Devil's Coach Horse at the Observatory, and 2 Wood Mice.