Mon 30 May & Tue 31 May – Red-breasted Flycatcher, Hobby, Tree Sparrow

A Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen and photographed (see below) by Paul Holt as it fed actively among alders in St Helen's Copse at 07.35 hrs on 31st.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, 31 May 2016  © Paul Holt

Other sightings for 30th & 31st included a Hobby flying south past the Old Light on 30th (Philip Lymbery) and a Cuckoo at St Helen's Copse, Millcombe and elsewhere in the south of the island on both dates (Richard & Rebecca Taylor, Paul Holt, Martin Thorne). The Tree Sparrow (see entry fror 29 May) was seen again on the morning of 30th at the northern end of the High Street (Tony & Ann Taylor). Tony Taylor reports that 37 Manx Shearwaters were caught and ringed, including 17 already ringed in previous years, five as chicks. He also notes that Wheatears appear to be fewer in number this year, with the season very spread out, some broods out of the nest and some birds inconspicuous, perhaps still on eggs.