17th to 23rd Jan – More mild weather

Stuart Cossey reports on the final week of island shut down.

17th January

Slightly overcast but mild and calm.

Two Oystercatchers were seen in the Landing Bay whilst waiting for the arrival of a stores delivery on the Goliath.  A small flock of 14 Redwings were in Millcombe with a further 8 in Barton Field. A Pied Wagtail was by the Pig Sty and seven Linnets were heard flying over during the day.

 

Pied Wagtail, Brick Field © Stuart Cossey

18th January

Overcast and cold with a moderate wind from the south.

The morning census in the area below Quarter Wall was quiet with the highlight being two Peregrine calling over Benjamin’s Chair. A large feeding flock was off the East Coast in the afternoon with approximately 2,000 Kittiwakes, 150 Auk sp. and 40 Gannets.

19th January

Fog to start but bright sunshine by 10am. A moderate wind from the north.

A Merlin was seen chasing a Skylark off the Battlements first thing. Eventually the Skylark managed to evade capture and dropped into cover. Another Skylark was seen by Old Light. A Woodpigeon was heard singing in Millcombe and a Collared Dove, the first winter record since 2000, was with the Starlings in the Farmyard.

 

Skylark, Lighthouse Field © Stuart Cossey

Collared Dove, Farmyard © Stuart Cossey

20th January

Overcast with a 15mph wind from the north.

A quiet day with a eight Fulmar noted roosting on Shutter Point, possibly a new nesting site for this species.

21st January

Foggy start though clearing in the afternoon.

A few new arrivals were noted today with a female Bullfinch in Millcombe Valley and a Fieldfare in Lower Aerogenerator Field. Further up island, three Reed Bunting were in the Gorse south of Pondsbury. Hopefully this group of a male and two females will stay and breed.

22nd January

A light northerly wind.

A morning seawatch produced good numbers of common species off the East Coast. 2,000 Auks, 1,000 Kittiwakes, 90 Gannets and 40 Shags were seen. A small pod of three Harbour Porpoise were also seen hunting in the same area.

 

Feeding flock off East Coast © Stuart Cossey

 

Other species of note include a Stock Dove by Quarter Wall and a Ringed Plover was heard calling over the Village. The Fieldfare was still present in Aerogenerator Field.

23rd January

Light southeasterly wind with some cloud.

Quiet again with a Golden Plover in Lighthouse Field the only bird of note.