4th to 10th July – Feeling hot

It has been clear, calm and dry all week with temperatures regularly over 20° and little wind. The highest temperature was 23.4° on the 10th.

A total of 21 Mallard were counted on the 8th, the highest count of the year not including young ducklings. Swift have been a regular occurrence all week with a the highest count on the 9th with nine seen in two groups. A Collared Dove was recorded on the 8th and the number of Woodpigeon on the island has increased to six on the 9th

A few waders were seen passing through this week. A Curlew flew over the village on the 8th. Also on the 8th was the islands 130th species for the year, a Redshank on Pondsbury.

Four Black-headed Gulls off Benjamin’s Chair on the 9th were the best of any seawatching. Cormorants were logged on the 5th with two over South West Field and another on the 8th. Five Grey Heron were seen over the East Coast on the 5th.

The Kestrels have now left the Old Light slopes and are exploring the island with sightings from the North End, Quarries, West Coast and Castle Hill. Young Peregrines continue to be noisy all along the coast. A Rook was seen flying south over the Landing Bay on the 10th.

The Swallows in the Church have five big chicks whilst the pairs by Old House North and the Gas Store are still on eggs.

Swallow chicks, Church © Stuart Cossey 

A Willow Warbler was seen in Millcombe on the 8th along with a Whitethroat. A Spotted Flycatcher was below Brambles Villa on the 8th. Young Wheatears continue to move south with 17 recorded during the morning transect below Quarter Wall on the 9th. A Grey Wagtail was reported on the 5th. Linnet numbers continue to grow with 104 counted on the 6th and 101 on the 9th.

In other two new micro moths for the island were recorded this week including European Corn-borer Ostrinia nubilalis and Red-barred Tortrix Ditula angustiorana.

Red-barred Tortrix © Stuart Cossey

Contributors: S Cossey, R Ellis, Z Wait, T Thompson.