FRANKLINs Gull Sandown

Yesterday evening (Sat Aug 22nd), I couldn't resist a local twitch of the rare Franklin's Gull at Sandown Canoe Lake - local birder Jay Amor had found it there back on the Aug 19th - but it's routine had been to disappear for most of the day before returning. A very nice rare (American gull) find! And a first for the Island. Got some record shots.. [bird moved on to nearby Dorset]....Also a juv Yellow-legged Gull briefly dropped in. An advanced juv YLG and another ringed (Red) Med Gull at Shanklin Beach on August 20th. 

The star gull - Franklin's - Sandown Canoe Lake - Aug 22nd

Franklin's aged as a 2cy (first summer) - flight shots showed such moult

Advanced YLG - August 20th - Shanklin Beach

LBBs of various ages on Shanklin Beach

LBB juv

Ringed (juv/1cy) Med HL3M (Red ringed pertaining to Budapest Hungary) - Shanklin Beach - Aug 20th

Common gull (Juv) - Shanklin Beach - Aug 14th

Nice to finally connect with the lingering FRANKLIN’S GULL @MudefordQuay this evening , phew! @RareBirdAlertUK @chog_nature @RSPBbirders #Franklinsgull pic.twitter.com/poLB7x04of

— Scott Usher (@SStanpit) August 30, 2026

Queen of Spain IOW

Today, I finally caught up with the rare Queen of Spain fritillaries that have been hanging around a 'west Wight' site for a couple of weeks or so (since end of July). We saw at least two together but likely a total of three have been reported. And more have since been found at other Island locations and on the mainland too. A rare species of butterfly and migrant to the UK. They were quite active but I managed some phone camera record shots at least. Also, four HB Hawkmoths seen was quite notable. Otherwise: the bright sunny warm days continue unabated with another 'heatwave' forecast.

Issoria Lathonia

Clouded Yellow - noticeably numerous this year - this one on Nansen Hill on July 30th