Today was probably the hottest day of the year so far, although I'm saying that without looking at the proper stats. I think many of us around the UK have forgotten what it feels like to be cold, but today's heat just felt that little bit more uncomfortable, even in the shade, without a breath of any sea wind.

In such weather bird activity (and indeed human activity!) is inevitably reduced, but it's on mid-summer days like this that we begin to see the first signs of Swift passage. Having only arrived in the UK in May, failed breeders and early successful breeders will already be starting to return south for the winter. This evening a party of 21 Swifts fed over our heads as we called out log in the garden, a sure sign that they're on the move! Other birds clearly on the move today included seven Grey Herons that joined the semi-resident juvenile on Solfach and six Curlews in Henllwyn. A Cuckoo was seen in Nant Valley this morning, presumably another migrant that will soon be heading back south to mainland Europe.

Elsewhere on the island, today's birds included 15 Gannets, seven Common Scoters, a Sparrowhawk, three Dunlins, two Whimbrels, five Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper, a Sandwich Tern, 13 Swallows, four House Martins, 12 Wheatears, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and 10 Linnets.

 Rose Tortrix (Archips rosana) is easily disturbed from vegetation around the Obs at the moment.

This leaf-mine was found on a small oak tree in the Plantation. It's been made by the tiny micro-moth Phyllonorycter quercifoliella and almost certainly represents a new species for the island.

Nant Pond is now one of the few substantial water-bodies on the island that hasn't dried up. A brood of Mallards, a brood of Moorhens and two Broad-bodied Chasers are currently making use of it!