Today boasted the same hot and sunny weather we became accustomed to throughout May, June and most of July, and the fact that it was a Saturday meant we could introduce this week's guests to the island in the best possible way. Unfortunately, today's wildlife highlight didn't quite follow suit. A Minke Whale surfaced off the North End several times for one lucky observer viewing from the observatory, but frustratingly it didn't surface again in time for anyone else to see it. A scattering of common migrants across the island included a Whinchat in the north-west fields, a Pied Flycatcher at Nant, a Blackcap at Cristin and six Sand Martins over the South End.

Other birds logged today included 13 Fulmars, 445 Manx Shearwaters, 41 Gannets, three Grey Herons, two Common Scoters, a Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards, seven Kestrels, a Peregrine, three Ringed Plovers, four Dunlins, two Snipes, three Whimbrels, seven Curlews, three Redshanks, two Greenshanks, eight Turnstones, 624 Kittiwakes, 43 Sandwich Terns, five Arctic Terns, two Razorbills, two Little Owls, six Sand Martins, 109 Swallows, 38 House Martins, 14 White Wagtails, three Robins, a Whinchat, a Stonechat, 14 Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff, 35 Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest, four Spotted Flycatchers, six Chaffinches and 69 Linnets.

Sandwich Terns are a constant feature off the coast at the moment, and if the wind blows in the right direction their calls can be carried right across the island. Most of the adults have now moulted into winter plumage, developing a white forehead to replace the jet-black cap. 

The first Hummingbird Hawk-moth for a week was nectaring on Fuchsia flowers in the observatory garden. Fuchsia plants have been invaluable on the island this summer, providing a continual supply of nectar-rich flowers throughout the drought when many other plants wilted.