Tuesday 2 September 2014

It was a stunning day on the island, with hardly a breath of wind and glorious clear skies throughout, which ensured that there was once again a very enjoyable movement of migrants to witness. With the likes of Icterine Warblers, Wrynecks and an Ortolan Bunting turning up on Wales's southern islands, these autumnal scarcities were very much on the cards for today. As it turned out, the highlight of the day came in the form of the year's first Long-tailed Duck off the South End, and by the amassing of some sixty Risso's Dolphins off the island's coast. Back to the birds, the most noteworthy sightings included a smart male Common Redstart at Ty Pellaf, a Whinchat on the mountain, a Tree Pipit over the lowlands, a Garden Warbler at Cristin, and an excellent count of 26 Goldcrests.

This very smart male Redstart  spent most of the day feeding along the fencelines near Ty Pellaf, often associating with the migrant Robins and Stonechats which were nearby
Having moulted out of their breeding and juvenile plumages, both adult and young Stonechats are looking rather smart in their autumn attire. These two males were amongst some 25 which have been recorded for the last few days
Willow Warbler (top) and Chiffchaff (lower) 
Some of the Grey Seal cows are looking very close to pupping, with some individuals seen repeatedly near their secluded coves and bays. We should start to see the first white pups in the next few weeks

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