Visiting brother (end of September)

Graham visited the island September 22nd - September 25th, so a shortish visit, but as ever, we maximised the time spent out in the field. 

Day 1 (Monday): an afternoon visit to Luccombe Down and Farm showing Graham my local 'haunts'. Day 2 (Tuesday): an early morning vis mig session at Whale Chine: the hirundine passage was impressive with an estimate of 20,000 swallows and House Martins moving eastwards along the coast. A Merlin was hunting over the nearby fields too. Later on, midday we tried WHD for migrant raptors, but the locals only put on a show including a Red Kite. Day 3 (Wednesday): another vis session on Luccombe Down; plus grounded migrants included two Groppers. Final day, day 4 (Thursday), we went back to WHD, and the highlights there were a male Ring Ouzel and 250 siskins east. However, for Graham at least (we'd parted ways at WHD!), the overall highlight during his afternoon visit to SCP was a Wryneck near Watershoot Bay, which stayed for a couple of days at least, so many got to see it too. A pleasant time and got lucky with the weather (bright/North Easterlies). 

Prior to Graham coming down, some raptor watches atop Luccombe Down in conducive conditions produced very little other than an Osprey back on September 21st. Plus, singles of hobby knocking about or heading through. 

IOW Trip 22/9-25/9 The best was saved to last, literally, in my last few hours spent at St Catherines Point, one of my favourite Island spots. I almost stepped on a cracking Wryneck which proceeded to give great views. Two Juv Hobby hawking insects added to a nice finish to the week.

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— Graham Sparshott (@fifevismig.bsky.social) September 27, 2025 at 8:48 PM

Kingfisher - exceptional views at Hersey NR - Sept 24th

Not often you get out of your car and are immediately greeted by a Pied Fly - Nansen Hill - September 21st

Grey Phalarope

A couple of days ago, a Grey Phal was found at Sandown Canoe Lake, which fortunately is lingering and I caught up with it today (Sept 18th); on the back of one at Hersey NR earlier this month.....

KENTISH PLOVER

Not a bad morning of local twitching:

Top find by Richard Barnard yesterday evening at Foreland and still present this morning - 29/08

Bonus Yellow-legged Gull nearby (in flight by DBH) - Foreland - 29/08

Looking south at Foreland - where the Kentish was before it was flushed by a dog

Enroute to Foreland - Ruff still present at Sandown Canoe Lake - 29/08

Pied Fly

Luccombe Down: Pied Fly x2 this morning (Aug 11th); a few more tree pips seen/heard including three northwards...The spell of settled weather continues with fairly high temps. 

Green Sand - Sandown Canoe Lake - Aug 18th

Tree Pipits etc

Nansen Hill/Luccombe Down: Tree pips are starting to increase, going over and/or grounded. Still a few Xbills (11 this morning/Aug 7th) but not as many as last week. Willow Warblers aplenty. Swifts and sand martins etc....

Green Sandpiper went over Nansen calling on Aug 10th, same date and location as one a year ago...

Nansen Hill - couple of grounded Tree Pips - August 7th

Juvenile and adult LBB gulls - Shanklin Esplanade - August 4th

Pied Fly & Tree Pipit (Xbills)

Luccombe Down and Nansen Hill this morning (July 26th): First Pied Flycatcher of the autumn and 188 Xbills (most over but some landed). Willow Warblers have suddenly increased (30+)...

July 28th (A.M): single Tree Pipit (calling) flew north; first of autumn; seen with Steve and Andrew. Plus, xbills (c100) etc. 

A sight and sound I'm yet to get bored of!

Crossbills (more counts)

Nansen Hill/Luccombe Down (this morning, July 21st, 06:45am onwards): c90 Xbills over (most North). Mark had 150+ at nearby Haddon's Pits over a similar time period. Also, a Sedge Warbler calling and seen; and c50 Swifts milling about. Some signs of early autumn migration. 

My first (juv) Yellow-legged Gull (SCP sea watch) back on July 7th. 

Interesting location: Common Sandpiper - Ryde Canoe Lake - July 15th