Skokholm 22-27th Sept & bits and pieces since

We were part of a small volunteer party during a memorably wet and windy week on Skokholm (memorable for the weather less so for birds). The pectoral sandpiper was seen by one of our party (Neil Mathew) near Winter Pond on Sat. 22nd but not seen thereafter. The occasional dunlin, small numbers of whimbrel, snipe (including and early jack snipe seen by Neil) were the only other waders of real note.

Passerines were not particularly numerous but it was nice to see a continuous small passage of chiffchaffs, a few willow warblers most days, increasing numbers of goldcrests towards the end of the week - could have been up to 50+ across the island, small numbers of blackcaps, probably in excess of a few hundred swallows on the best days, together with smaller numbers of house martins and several sand martins moving through the island. Mipits were numerous across the entire island and white wags (several per day) notable as well.

Just a couple of wheatears were noted passing through (or temporarily resident). Robins were pretty numerous with many autumn/winter territories being established across the island - could have been 50+ individuals.

A fine male ring ouzel flew behind the observatory buildings towards the neck on the afternoon of 25th Sept but that was the only real thrush of note other than possibly a small increase in blackbird numbers around the buildings by the time we had to leave, a day and a half earlier than planned due to forecast of deteriorating weather.

High numbers of great black-backed gulls - easily 170-200 birds - were present each day near North Pond and the Neck, mopping up some of the late fledging shearwaters (small numbers noted most nights near the buildings). Apart from a couple of hundred kittiwakes noted close inshore one blustery day there was not much notable seabird passage. Excellent views were obtained of water rails at the well reed-bed including well grown juv(s).

Back from Skokholm we noted at Pembroke Millpond a couple of colour-ringed adult black-headed gulls in the flock there of about 100 birds on 1st October - both white darvic types with black digits (TAMC and 29D6). We've since learned that TAMC was ringed at PRZYKONA Reservoir, RADYCZYNY, TUREK in central Poland in May 2010, having been reported also from New Quay, Cornwall three times since then, including in January 2012. We are awaiting details for 29D6.