6th August

A handful of new landbirds, the first real indication that the gears of autumn passerine migration were beginning to creak back into motion, were a keenly anticipated and welcome sight. A Grasshopper Warbler was the most unusual, being a scarce species here in most years, but a the first Whinchat and 2 Willow Warblers of the autumn were also nice to see. The best waders were at least 4 Greenshanks and 3 Ruffs; the highlights of a short seawatch were 4 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Manx Shearwaters; at least 3500 Arctic Terns were still at the north of the island; and the Swift was hunting over the cut fields with the local Swallows.

Both Willow Warblers, as expected at this time of year, were brightly coloured juveniles.