27th to 30th August

Apologies for the lack of recent updates-the last four days has certainly seen the autumn come to life. Favourable easterly winds and rain on the 28th brought several new arrivals although slightly more had been hoped for and there wasn't much to offer on the 27th with 3 Sooty and 7 Manx Shearwaters the best a sea-watch could offer. Half a dozen Willow Warblers were seen that day with the same number on 28th while new birds included a Wryneck and Tree Pipit at Holland House, a Common Tern off the south coast and 3 Common Rosefinches. Some wildfowl movement on 29th saw 124 Teal feature with 38 Wigeon and 2 Gadwall next day. Other birds in the roll call were 12 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 6 Common Terns, 2 Swifts, single Redstart and Wood Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a juvenile Red-backed Shrike at Milldam and 4 Common Rosefinch. An especially calm 30th saw birds move into the gardens and favourable feeding areas but it was a juvenile Spotted Redshank on Gretchen early in the morning which was the highlight-the first island record since 2008! A Wood Sandpiper was also there and 24 Ruff and 2 Greenshank were seen. 3 Barred Warblers were new and commoner passerines increased to 15 Willow Warblers, 7 Garden Warblers, 3 Pied Flycatchers, the Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike (with possibly a second bird present) Wood Warbler and Redstart all remained and 3 Common Rosefinches lingered on at Holland. At least 2 Kestrels were also seen over both dates, as was a Sparrowhawk and there have been at least 3 different juvenile Hen Harriers in recent days.

Wryneck