Landsort diary 7th August 2016

All nets opened at 0400 and closed at 1100. Somehow the day felt like it was going to be quiet for birds and this proved to be the case with just 13 new birds of 8 species. Four Red-backed Shrike were among them as well as the 3rd Wood Warbler of autumn.

 

Well attended lecture with 6 adults and two youngsters.

 

Met Peter, one of the Board Members who came out for the day to meet us and to chat about the possibility of having a youth weekend towards the end of October. He was with his folks, David and Karin, who we met on our last trip and shared as very pleasant Fika with us.

 

Albin and Anton left early afternoon after a frustrating mornings migration watching, when little of note was seen.

 

Just Chris & Kay at the Obs overnight.

Wind: West

Wind strength: Moderate wind, 4-7 m/s

Temperature: 20

Visibility: Good, 10-20 km

Cloud cover: Partly clouded, 3-5/8

Precipitation: Dry weather

Sightings of interest

• Greenshank    Gluttsnäppa       Tringa nebularia 1 
• Cuckoo            Gök                    Cuculus canorus 1 
• Starling           Stare                  Sturnus vulgaris 40   

Birds ringed                                                     

• Robin                           Rödhake          Erithacus rubecula 1                                                                  
• Redstart                       Rödstjärt        Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1 
• Lesser Whitethroat    Ärtsångare      Sylvia curruca 2 
• Whitethroat                Törnsångare   Sylvia communis 2 
• Wood Warbler           Grönsångare   Phylloscopus sibilatrix 1 
• Willow Warbler         Lövsångare     Phylloscopus trochilus 1 
• Red-backed Shrike    Törnskata       Lanius collurio 4                                                                  
• Tree Sparrow             Pilfink            Passer montanus 1

Landsort diary 6th August 2016

All nets opened at 0400 with non-standard closed at 1030 and Standard at 1200. A total of 34 new birds of 16 species including the autumn's first Chiffchaff. Numbers of Icterine Warbler are declining now but one new today.

 

A well attended public guided talk, with 11 adults and six youngsters. Like many of the other talks we've given there was plenty of good questions and a high level on interest in what the Observatory is doing and in the spectacle of migration.

 

Albin and Anton spent time out this morning migration watching but not much passing the island on these calmer mornings. Their best record was from SUDD near the lighthouse where two juvenile (1cy) Barred Warbler were seen.

 

Four at the Obs tonight: Chris, Kay, Albin and Anton.

Wind: West

Wind strength: Moderate wind, 4-7 m/s

Temperature: 18

Visibility: Good, 10-20 km

Cloud cover: Cloudy, 6-7/8

Precipitation: Dry weather

Sightings of interest

• Woodcock                 Morkulla         Scolopax rusticola   1 
• Greenshank              Gluttsnäppa    Tringa nebularia     1 
• Green Woodpecker  Gröngöling     Picus viridis             1
• Barred Warbler       Höksångare     Sylvia nisoria          1

Ringed birds

• White Wagtail           Sädesärla                 Motacilla alba                    3  
• Wren                          Gärdsmyg                Troglodytes troglodytes     1 
• Redstart                     Rödstjärt                  Phoenicurus phoenicurus  2 
• Blackcbird                 Koltrast                    Turdus merula                   1 
• Ictrine Warbler         Härmsångare           Hippolais icterina             1 
• Lesser Whitethroat   Ärtsångare               Sylvia curruca                   7 
• Whitethroat               Törnsångare            Sylvia communis                1 
• Garden Warbler       Trädgårdssångare   Sylvia borin                        1 
• Blackcap                    Svarthätta                Sylvia atricapilla                2 
• Chiffchaff                  Gransångare             Phylloscopus collybita      1 
• Willow Warbler        Lövsångare               Phylloscopus trochilus      2 
• Spotted Flycatcher   Grå flugsnappare     Muscicapa striata              1 
• Great Tit                    Talgoxe                      Parus major                      1 
• Red-backed Shrike   Törnskata                  Lanius collurio                  1 
• Tree Sparrow            Pilfink                        Passer montanus               4 
• Greenfinch                Grönfink                    Carduelis chloris               5

 

Landsort diary 5th august 2016

All nets opened at 0400 in light winds which dropped as the morning progressed and some cloud cover made for ideal netting conditions. Non-standard closed at 1100 and Standard at 1200, with 56 new birds of 15 species, including young Thrush Nightingale and Pied Flycatcher.

 

Nice to get a morning with 50+ birds.

 

Bosse spent time migration watching but not many birds moving past the island in this calm weather.

 

After the last of the Members that have been here for the last couple of weeks leave today we have Albin and Anton arriving tonight for two nights, giving 4 at the Obs.

 

Wind: Southwest

Wind strength: Light wind, 1-3 m/s

Temperature: 18

Visibility: Good, 10-20 km

Cloud cover: Cloudy, 6-7/8

Precipitation: Dry weather

Notable sightings

• Wood Sandpiper       Grönbena      Tringa glareola    2  
• Green Woodpecker   Gröngöling   Picus viridis          1 

Birds ringed

• White Wagtail           Sädesärla                      Motacilla alba                   1 
• Robin                         Rödhake                        Erithacus rubecula            1 
• Thrush Nightingale  Näktergal                      Luscinia luscinia                1 
• Redstart                    Rödstjärt                       Phoenicurus phoenicurus   1 
• Song Thrush             Taltrast                          Turdus philomelos              1 
• Lesser Whitethroat  Ärtsångare                    Sylvia curruca                     7 
• Whitethroat              Törnsångare                  Sylvia communis                 2 
• Willow Warbler       Lövsångare                    Phylloscopus trochilus        10 
• Pied Flycatcher        Svartvit flugsnappare   Ficedula hypoleuca             1 
• Great Tit                   Talgoxe                          Parus major                         1 
• Red-backed shrike   Törnskata                      Lanius collurio                    1 
• Tree Sparrow           Pilfink                             Passer montanus                 7 
• Greenfinch                Grönfink                        Carduelis chloris                18 
• Linnet                        Hämpling                       Carduelis cannabina           3 
• Rosefinch                   Rosenfink                      Carpodacus erythrinus        1

 

Landsort diary 4th August 2016

Strong winds early on together with the end of last nights, very welcome, rain delayed opening nets until 0645, with only 7 nets opened to start with and an 8th a couple of hours later as the wind eased. All eight nets closed at 1200, with 10 new birds of just 6 species.

 

After closing nets another boardwalk was made and put in place and the two bird feeders were thoroughly cleaned, along with the ground under them. This was needed as we have recently had three dead Greenfinch under the feeders, probably as a result of getting a parasite due to feeding on infected food. While cleaning the feeders one has been repaired and the other was in poor condition so it has been removed ready for a new one to take it's place once we make it - probably as job for tomorrow. How come one job always leads to two more???

 

Bosse is out migration watching but reports that last night he had a Black Tern passing the island.

Wind: West

Wind strength: Strong wind, 8-13 m/s

Temperature: 18

Visibility: Good, 10-20 km

Cloud cover: Partly clouded, 3-5/8

Precipitation: Dry weather

Sightings of interest

• Sparrowhawk         Sparvhök      Accipiter nisus      1 
• Cuckoo                    Gök               Cuculus canorus    1

Birds ringed

• Icterine Warbler       Härmsångare   Hippolais icterina       1  
• Lesser Whitethroat   Ärtsångare       Sylvia curruca             4   
• Whitethroat               Törnsångare     Sylvia communis         1   
• Chaffinch                   Bofink               Fringilla coelebs         2   
• Greenfinch                 Grönfink          Carduelis chloris         1   
• Linnet                         Hämpling         Carduelis cannabina   1

Landsort diary 3rd August 2016

23 nets opened at 0400 with a further three opened a bit later in the morning as the wind eased. Non-standard nets closed at 1045 and Standard at 1200. A total of 30 new birds of 13 species including the second Wood Warbler of the autumn (and year) and a further two Reed Warbler.

 

One of the nets could not be opened as some nearby campers had decided to use it a line to dry their clothes on!!! It is unbelievable how some people think only of themselves - thankfully a very rare occurrence. Fortunately for them I was able to resist the temptation to wake them at 0400 to tell them to move it all.

 

Guided talk at 1100 attracted five members of the public.

 

Migration watching was poor with few birds seen, some of the Members who had planned to stay longer leaving the island as a result.

 

Plans to do some more boardwalk replacement this afternoon.

Wind: West

Wind strength: Strong wind, 8-13 m/s

Temperature: 20

Visibility: Good, 10-20 km

Cloud cover: Almost clear skies, 1-2/8

Precipitation: Dry weather

Sightings of note

• Sparrowhawk        Sparvhök         Accipiter nisus     1  
• Hobby                    Lärkfalk           Falco subbuteo    1   
• Green Sandpiper  Skogssnäppa    Tringa ochropus   1  
• Greenshank           Gluttsnäppa    Tringa nebularia   1  
• Cuckoo                   Gök                  Cuculus canorus   1  

Birds ringed

• Wren                           Gärdsmyg               Troglodytes troglodytes     1  
• Redstart                      Rödstjärt                Phoenicurus phoenicurus   2  
• Reed Warbler            Rörsångare              Acrocephalus scirpaceus   2 
• Icterine Warbler       Härmsångare          Hippolais icterina               1 
• Lesser Whitethroat   Ärtsångare               Sylvia curruca                    4  
• Garden Warbler       Trädgårdssångare   Sylvia borin                        1 
• Wood Warbler          Grönsångare            Phylloscopus sibilatrix       1 
• Willow Warbler        Lövsångare              Phylloscopus trochilus        8 
• Blue Tit                      Blåmes                      Cyanistes caeruleus            1 
• Red-backed Shrike   Törnskata                Lanius collurio                     1 
• Tree Sparrow            Pilfink                      Passer montanus                  6 
• Chaffinch                   Bofink                      Fringilla coelebs                  1 
• Yellowhammer          Gulsparv                  Emberiza citrinella              1

Another Week on Landsort

Brimstone Butterfly on Sweet-pea flower

Three Wise Monkeys?

One of the Three Green Woodpecker caught this week

Steve and Netty with the New Sign

Cheerio Manxies!

Landsort diary 1st August 2016

Most nets opened at 0400 with the remaining 6 opened one hour later as the strong overnight wind decreased slightly.

 

A total of 25 new birds of 13 species, including another young Thrush Nightingale. A decent start to August and let's hope it continues, but strong winds forecast for the next few days.

 

Not a lot else to report, with migration watching still going on a Wader Bunker. Details on todays migrant watching will be provided tomorrow, but for details of some good records of yesterdays migration, please re-visit the diary for the 31st July.

 

Wind: West

Wind strength: Strong wind, 8-13 m/s

Temperature: 18

Visibility: Good, 10-20 km

Cloud cover: Cloudy, 6-7/8

Precipitation: Dry weather

Sightings of interest

• Cuckoo                            Gök                              Cuculus canorus             1

Ringed birds

• Thrush Nightingale        Näktergal                     Luscinia luscinia             1   
• Blackbird                        Koltrast                        Turdus merula                 1   
• Icterine Warbler            Härmsångare               Hippolais icterina           1   
• Lesser Whitethroat        Ärtsångare                   Sylvia curruca                 5   
• Whitethroat                    Törnsångare                Sylvia communis              2  
• Garden Warbler            Trädgårdssångare       Sylvia borin                     1   
• Blackcap                         Svarthätta                    Sylvia atricapilla             1   
• Willow Warbler             Lövsångare                  Phylloscopus trochilus    2   
• Great Tit                         Talgoxe                         Parus major                    1   
• Red-backed Shrike        Törnskata                     Lanius collurio                2   
• Tree Sparrow                 Pilfink                           Passer montanus             1   
• Greenfinch                      Grönfink                     Carduelis chloris              5   
• Goldfinch                        Steglits                         Carduelis carduelis          2