22nd to 28th August – Winds from the northeast bring more migrants

Bright and mild with winds from the north and northeast. Strong winds from the east towards the end of the week. Low cloud and fog on the 26th.

There has been a slight increase in the number of Woodpigeon with nine seen on the 25th. A Collared Dove was seen on the 28th and as expected with the Bank Holiday, five Racing Pigeons were seen on the 27th with another three on the 28th. A lone Swift was seen feeding with Swallows over Millcombe on the evening of the 24th.

There are still waders passing over the island with Ringed Plover on the 22nd, 26th, 27th and 28th. A single Whimbrel was recorded on the 22nd, with another calling over Ackland’s Moor with two Curlew on the 24th. A flock of four Dunlin and an individual were seen on the 27th with further singles on the 24th, and 28th. Snipe were seen over South West Field on the 24th, 25th and 27th. A Common Sandpiper was heard on the 27th and a Greenshank was calling below Smelly Gully on the 22nd.

 wo Grey Heron were seen coming in from the East on the 22nd. At least one Sparrowhawk is still regularly being seen along with the pair of Kestrel. The majority of Skylark have now left the island with only a single bird being seen all week. Flocks of Sand Martin were seen on the 22nd, 24th and 27th with 12, nine and eight seen respectively. There has been an obvious increase in the passage of Swallows with a high count of 65 on the 24th. Three House Martin were seen on the 27th.

The variety of warbler species is now increasing as more head south. Willow Warblers are becoming less common but there was a high count of 40 on the 24th.  Also on the 24th were ten Chiffchaff, two Sedge Warbler, a Garden Warbler, two Whitethroat and a Goldcrest. Two Grasshopper Warblers were seen on the 27th. Single Blackcap were seen on the 26th and 28th with three on the 27th. A total of six Whitethroat were seen on the 27th.

Flycatchers are still quite common with 13 Spotted Flycatchers on the 24th and seven on the 27th being the highest counts of Wh. Single Pied Flycatchers were seen on the 23rd, 24th and 28th with two present on the 22nd. The highest count Wheatear was 11 on the 25th with nine seen on the 24th and 27th. A Black Redstart was seen by Halfway Wall on the 22nd and a Whinchat was present on the 27th.

Whinchat, South-West Field © Stuart Cossey

A Grey Wagtail flew over calling on the 27th along with an increase in alba Wagtails. A flock of five White Wagtails were seen on the 25th and six on the 27th. Flyover Pied/White Wagtails have been regular since the 25th with a few being seen in the fields and around the Village. The coarse ‘sphiz’ flight call of Tree Pipits have been heard all week with five on the 22nd, three on the 23rd, four on the 25th, two on the 26th, seven on the 27th and nine on the 28th.  There has also been an increase in Meadow Pipit migration with a number of bigger flocks seen, including 38 on the 26th. On the 28th five Common Crossbill flew south over Millcombe calling, the first time this species of finch have been seen this year.

In non-avian news 6+ Common Dolphin were in the Landing Bay. Hummingbird Hawk-moth were seen on the 24th, 26th and 27th.

Damp Blackbird during low cloud on the 26th © Stuart Cossey

Contributors: S Cossey, R Ellis, Z Wait, T and A Taylor