I was up early this morning to meet up with Richard, Nigel and Matt from Swindon. I parked up at the Obs and walked down to meet them at The Bill. En route 38 House Martins circled above me before heading up the island. As I walked past the Pulpit Inn there were at least 3 Sedge Warblers in the thicket next to the pub car park and on the fence of QinetiQ there was stunning male Stonechat.
I arrived at The Bill at around 6:55 and met up with them for a sea watch and we weren't disappointed as we ticked off a Pomarine Skua, a dozen or more Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Shags, Gannets and Oystercatchers.
As we headed off towards The Slopes we spotted a disheveled Wheatear in the Bill Quarry. It certainly looked as if it had had a good soaking.
On The Slopes were a few more Sedge Warblers, with one individual carrying nesting material, which was a bit odd. The urge to start nesting had certainly got to this individual. Walking towards the Higher Lighthouse 5 Swifts passed low over our heads and disappeared over the horizon, whilst a real surprise was a Merlin flying down the slope towards the Lighthouse. Once it got to The Bill it then headed back up the island along the east coast.
Looking over the West Cliffs we had a great views of Guillemots sat on the water, with one or two "Bridled" Guillemots in amongst them. Along the path here we found several predated Guillemot eggs, no doubt the handy work of the resident Ravens.
Around the Higher Lighthouse were Common Whitethroats in the hedges and as we headed across the Top Fields we came across 2 Whinchat and another Wheatear. By Helen's Field there was another Wheatear and above us a circling Peregrine Falcon, which eventually went into a stoop, disappearing out of view behind the hedges to our right.
From Helen's Field we made our way down the track to Culverwell and came across 2 Spotted Flycatchers feeding in a Sycamore. Like a lot of migrants they were there one minute and gone the next.
Our next location was the Obs Quarry, via the PBO and as we walked alongside the Main Road a Short-eared Owl appeared over the fields in front of us. It quartered the fields above the Crown Estate Fields and then found a stump to sit on.
We made a quick check at the Obs and came across 2 more Spotted Flycatchers, whilst in the Obs Quarry we had Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat and behind us in the hedgerow we had just walked past a Reed Warbler singing.
Here are a few photos and a video from this morning:
Three more Guillemots and the top right bird having a stretch is form of Guillemot known as a Bridled Guillemot. It has a white eye ring and a thin white line extending behind the eye. It is not regarded as a subspecies, but merely as an example of dimorphism. Bridled Guillemots may also be called 'Ringed Guillemots'. Normally found in the north there appears to be a few here at The Bill.
This is a Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) also known as the Dustbin Jellyfish or Frilly-mouthed Jellyfish. It is the largest jellyfish found in UK seas and despite its size is actually harmless to humans. More on this Jellyfish Here.
Exactly the same time as last year the Lackey Moth caterpillars are out in abundance. Unlike the similar "tent" caterpillars of the Brown-tail Moth these wont make you itch.
Very active Lackey Moth caterpillars.
Birds Recorded: 10+ Fulmar, 12+ Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin, Kestrel, Pheasant, 1 Pomarine Skua, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot and 2 "Bridled" Guillemot, Razorbill, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Short-eared Owl, 5 Swift, Skylark, 38 House Martin, 12+ Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, Blackbird, 2 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Also Recorded: Lackey Moth caterpillars and 5 Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)
Today's Sightings Here.
Looking over the West Cliffs we had a great views of Guillemots sat on the water, with one or two "Bridled" Guillemots in amongst them. Along the path here we found several predated Guillemot eggs, no doubt the handy work of the resident Ravens.
Around the Higher Lighthouse were Common Whitethroats in the hedges and as we headed across the Top Fields we came across 2 Whinchat and another Wheatear. By Helen's Field there was another Wheatear and above us a circling Peregrine Falcon, which eventually went into a stoop, disappearing out of view behind the hedges to our right.
From Helen's Field we made our way down the track to Culverwell and came across 2 Spotted Flycatchers feeding in a Sycamore. Like a lot of migrants they were there one minute and gone the next.
Our next location was the Obs Quarry, via the PBO and as we walked alongside the Main Road a Short-eared Owl appeared over the fields in front of us. It quartered the fields above the Crown Estate Fields and then found a stump to sit on.
We made a quick check at the Obs and came across 2 more Spotted Flycatchers, whilst in the Obs Quarry we had Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat and behind us in the hedgerow we had just walked past a Reed Warbler singing.
Here are a few photos and a video from this morning:
In the thicket here at the Pulpit Inn were at least 3 Sedge Warblers chattering away.
Looking across the Quarry towards the sea. Very murky and damp start to the day which.......
...........is probably why this Wheatear was................
.........looking very wet and miserable.
Sadly I didn't get a photo of the Pomarine Skua, but these Manx Shearwaters were a bit more obliging.
An adult gannet heads east.
The West Cliffs have a very busy Guillemot colony.
Lots of stretching.
Two more Guillemots and as a comparison here.............
..............are two Razorbills.
One of several Oystercatchers that passed by.
On top of West Cliffs above the Guillemot nest sites we came across several Guillemot eggs.
A common occurrence here with corvids such as Ravens and possibly Carrion Crows predating the nests below.
In the top fields lots of Skylarks and today we even had..........
............a couple of Whinchat.
In the brambles the Common Whitethroats are busy feeding young.
As we headed back to the Obs a Short-eared Owl put in an appearance.
Very distant shots as it quartered the fields before..........
..........landing and taking a break.
Very active Lackey Moth caterpillars.
Birds Recorded: 10+ Fulmar, 12+ Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin, Kestrel, Pheasant, 1 Pomarine Skua, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot and 2 "Bridled" Guillemot, Razorbill, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Short-eared Owl, 5 Swift, Skylark, 38 House Martin, 12+ Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, Blackbird, 2 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Also Recorded: Lackey Moth caterpillars and 5 Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)
Ships Today
Through the sea mist I just about managed to photograph this Japanese Cargo vessel "Demeter Leader" on its way from Malmo, Sweden to Singapore. More on this vessel Here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.