Saturday 19 September 2020

Today was slightly colder and windier than yesterday, making census more difficult this morning.

It was apparent that many of yesterday's birds had moved on, but three Spotted Flycatchers were still present along with one of the Hooded Crows in the Northwest Fields. There had been at least a small arrival of Wheatears as 28 were seen across the island, all being of the Greenland subspecies 'leucorhoa'.

'Greenland' Wheatear

Three Lapland Buntings were the highlight of overhead migration, including one individual that briefly came down onto Pen Cristin. Meadow Pipits also continued to move through the island today as 245 were recorded.

Spotted Flycatcher

There were 11 Redshank, five Ringed Plovers and nine Dunlin on Solfach, as well as four Mediterranean Gulls and 11 Black-headed Gulls sat on the sea together. Five Common Gulls were also seen between here and the South End. The first Jack Snipe of the autumn was seen on the South End amongst a flock of Skylarks, as well as two Common Snipe and four Golden Plovers.

Mediterranean Gull (left) and Black-headed Gull

Redshanks and Turnstones

Newborn seal pup and mum

Common Snipe

Sparrowhawk

Hooded Crow

The first socially-distanced log of the year took place this evening outside the Observatory, during which two Little Owls were heard calling from the lowlands.

Other sightings include: four Common Scoters, one Whimbrel, ten Sandwich Terns, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 26 Skylarks, one Whitethroat, two Blackcaps and one Starling.

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