12 to 19 Dec – Probably the last blog of the year

Stonechat

Although there were other birders on the island logging interesting sightings, I cannot confirm their Water Rail, Red-necked Grebe, Red-throated Pipit or flock of Snipe.

Many common species were seen during the mild, windless and dry weather we had particularly in the sheltered space outside our property of Quarters. Regular feeding attracted Chaffinches, Sparrows, Starlings as well as up to three Wrens, a Robin the occasional Stonechat and a resident Chiffchaff. This was always seen working the vegetation in the overgrown wall on most days.

Chiffchaff

 

From here we were also rewarded with our only sighting of a “flock” of 4 Peewits in Lighthouse Field on the 18th

During the week occasional mixed flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing were seen mainly in the southern end of the island and on one occasion two different Kestrels at Old Light and Quarterwall on the west – again on the 18th.

Redwing

Our foray along the west coast gave a sighting of 24 Fulmars, mainly in pairs occupying ledges on Long Roost on the 14th and almost 300 Guillemots at Jenny’s and St Phillip’s Stone were lining the ledges on the 18th.