Thu 17 Sep – An estimated 3,000 Swallows pass through

Two Yellow-browed Warblers were located in St Helen's Copse and at the Terrace trap and good numbers of Blackcap were present again (18 ringed by Tony Taylor and team). Eleven Goldcrests were also ringed in Millcombe. Hirundine passage included an estimated 3,000 Swallows in a constant stream along the East Side from mid-morning until early afternoon and 60 Sand Martins. Elsewhere on the island there was a Golden Plover (Lighthouse Field) and a Redshank (calling in flight as it crossed low over the Landing Bay). Also reported from the Millcombe area were a Tree Pipit, a Garden Warbler and a Firecrest. There was a Merlin, two Sparrowhawks (m & f) were still present, although only 3 Kestrels compared to the 6 seen on 16th. Tony Taylor's team continued to locate and ring Manx Shearwater chicks emerging from their burrows after dark.