26th - 27th August
It seems things have finally settled down on the migrant front after the short spell of easterlies a few days ago. There are still some passerine migrants about, but once again sea watching has produced the best of the lot despite what didn't look like favourable conditions for it.
The 26th was fairly quiet, with the last dregs of the previous days seemingly the only bits about. The Red-backed Shrike remained in the Bewan punds, and elsewhere there was a Common Whitethroat in the Shooting Gallery. There were still plenty of Willow Warbler about, mainly in Holland and on the west coast.
A Common Whitethroat turned up at the School House on the 27th, along with a few Swift dotted about the island. The Red-backed Shrike was also still present. A morning sea watch produced a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, along with 66 Manx Shearwater, 31 Sooty Shearwater and 1 Red-throated Diver. The good sea watching continued into the afternoon when a Cory's Shearwater was seen cruising past Dennishead, followed by a Pomarine Skua in the early evening. Also there was 60 Manx Shearwater, 28 Sooty Shearwater and 7 Storm Petrel. The calm conditions also proved good for cetaceans, with a Minke Whale being seen sporadically throughout the day, a group of c.10 Risso's Dolphin, and Harbour Porpoise being seen going north.
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