26th September to 2nd October - First Redwings of the autumn and a Sabine’s Gull

This week has seen some strong winds and heavy rain, particularly on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October.

Despite some strong winds there haven’t been any particularly major falls of migrants this week.

A total of 24 Oystercatchers were observed roosting at high tide by Brazen Ward on the 28th. Four Golden Plover were present near to the airfield on the 26th and just one was seen on the 27th and 28th. Snipe were seen in singles on the 27th, 29th and 30th

11 Kittiwake were seen from south west point along with five Manx Shearwater on the 26th. An adult winter Sabine’s Gull flew past the south west of the island about 700m offshore on the 27th, and the same seawatch produced eight Kittiwake and 16 Gannets. Three Lesser Black-backed Gull flew past Millcombe on the 27th and two were seen on the 28th. One Fulmar was seen on the 27th and a Razorbill was seen feeding from North Light on the 30th.

Sparrowhawk presence continues providing daily entertainment around Millcombe and the east coast. Most days see at least two birds, but the highest total this week was six birds on the 28th.  A Merlin has also been present since 28th September. The local Kestrels are still seen daily, with two on the 28th, and three of the local Peregrine Falcons were seen on the 1st October.

Merlin, West Coast © Tom Wright

Sparrowhawk, East Coast © Tom Wright

Higher numbers of Skylark continue with 10 on the 27th and nine on the 2nd October. Swallow passage has been much quieter than last week. However, there were several hundred passing over Millcombe at sunrise on the 2nd October and it is possible that these birds had roosted on the island that night. One Sand Martin was recorded on the 27th September and two House Martins on the 1st October.

Warbler sightings have been quite scarce, with small numbers of Blackcap flitting about the brambles, the maximum being 18 birds on the 29th. One late Willow Warbler was spotted on the 29th in Millcombe and there were two Chiffchaffs on the 28th, four on the 29th and five on the 30th September. A Firecrest and a Treecreeper were spotted on the 1st and the weekend in particular has produced high numbers of Goldcrest moving through with 100 between Millcombe and the Quarry on Sunday 2nd October.

Treecreeper, Millcombe © Tom Wright

Firecrest, Millcombe © Tom Wright

The juvenile Rose-Coloured Starling was last spotted on the 29th. One Ring Ouzel was recorded on the 1st October calling at the Quarry. The first Redwing of the year flew over on the 27th, with another seen sheltering from the strong winds near Quarter Wall on the 30th.

There have been fewer wagtails passing over this week, with single Grey Wagtails over on the 28th and the 29th and a high count of six Pied/White wagtails on the 29th. This week’s high count of Meadow Pipits was 86 on the 29th. The highest count of Stonechat was 13 on the 2nd. A late Wheatear has been hanging on around quarter wall towards the end of the week and two other individuals were seen at the north and south of the island on the 2nd. There was a high count of 10 Dunnock on the 28th dispersed along the lower east. Finches have been seen in fairly large mixed flocks this week, with counts of 39 Goldfinch on the 2nd October and 70 Linnet on the 29th September. Similar to last week there have been 5 or 6 Chaffinches recorded most days.

Sunday 2nd October started very wet but turned into a hot sunny day with lots of butterflies about. The most notable were two clouded yellow, one at South Light and one in Millcombe.

Contributors: S Cossey, R Ellis, T Wright, A Croudace