July
Sunday 1st. July southerly 4 - warm and sunny
Claughbane, Ramsey
Whilst reading the Sunday newspapers, my attention was drawn to a large dragonfly that was 'patrolling' the edge of the large trees which border our garden. Eventually, after ½ hour or so I managed to approach it very closely as the insect alighted on a nearby pine tree giving stunning views as it basked in the sunshine. The predominantly lime-green spotted, abdomen with blue bands toward the tip identified it as a Southern Hawker. This species has shown a remarkable range expansion in the British Isles over the last few years and, as far as I'm aware, this is the first ever confirmed Manx record. Quite a good start to July really!
Monday 2nd.July southwesterly 2 - hot and sunny
Blue Point
An evening walk amongst the dunes produced dozens of Pyramidal Orchids in full bloom, some nice patches of Sea Bindweed and other such colourful plants as Lady's Bedstraw, Wild Thyme, Scabius and Rest Harrow - all enhanced by the most stunning sunset!
Tuesday 3rd. July southerly 3 - overcast but warm
Ronaldsway Industrial Estate
Once again, whilst at work, I noticed a huge white bird gliding into recently harvested fields. It's black wingtips and outstretched neck could only belong to a White Stork. The bird landed out of sight behind a hawthorn hedge but was again seen 10 minutes later as it 'paraded' round the hay bails in the field.
Saturday 7th. July northwesterly 2 overcast damp & sticky
Claughbane, Ramsey
An excellent 'haul' in my moth traps this morning with over 300 moths of 42 species. Some of the more interesting are photographed below - all are common species.
Thursday 12th. July northwesterly 6 or 7 - bright and sunny
Blue Point and Ramsey Bay
A brief seawatch off Blue Point beach at sunset produced
at least 24 Storm Petrels flying low and fast over the sea in
a southerly direction. Also off here were at least 200 Manx
Shearwaters. On our way back to Ramsey we decided to see
what, if anything, was at the sewerage outflow opposite the
Grand Island Hotel. To my amazement another 2 Storm
Petrels were feeding and 'paddling' on the surface of the water.
Saturday 14th. July northwesterly 3 - bright and sunny
Blue Point
A brief seawatch, to see if there were any Storm Petrels still in the area, proved fruitless. However, in the dune area there were large clumps of Harebells in flower and, here and there, scattered patches of Centaury. There were also many Grasshoppers 'singing' and I managed to photograph the specimens below.
17/18/19th. July easterly 6 - bright but cloudy
Stinky Dubh, Langness
An obvious influx/passage of waders was highlighted by the presence of up to 60 Dunlin and one stunning summer-plumaged Curlew Sandpiper. This latter bird was still present on the 19th. The day before the birds had been joined by a godwit that displayed some strange plumage details: Obvious black tail band as in Black-tailed Godwit, but with an upturned bill and extensive chestnut colouring on the belly. My personal conclusion was that it was indeed a Black-tailed, but of the race islandica. The only other species to show such field characters would be the american, Hudsonian Godwit but as certain diagnostic features were not seen (i.e. the underwings) it will have to remain a mystery.
Sunday 22nd. July southwesterly 2 or 3 - bright and sunny
Point of Ayre
A couple of hours spent seawatching produced hundreds of Manx Shearwaters moving east - some of which were very close inshore.
2 Harbour Porpoises moved west and were followed 10 minutes or so later by a pod of dolphins, which I couldn't immediately identify. However an hour surfing the internet gave me the information I needed to positively identify them as White-beaked Dolphins - a new species for me.
Wednesday 25th. July northwesterly3 bright and sunny
Langness, Stinky Dubh
The mystery godwit seen on the 16th. reappeared in the last couple of days and was joined by a second example today Both birds displayed extensive chestnut colouring on the flanks And lower belly, with one of them also having a grey face. The Underwings were clearly seen to be white, thus confirming my Initial identification of Black-tailed Godwit of the race islandica.
Thursday 26th. July southeasterly 1 or 2 - hot and sunny
Dhoon Glen, Maughold
A quick dash out to Maughold to see the two Bedstraw Hawkmoths that Les Kneale had caught in the last couple of days.
Sunday 29th. July westerly 3 warm and sunny
Point of Ayre Gravel Pits
A walk round the less gull-infested areas of the gravel
pits, produced a distinct influx of passage migrants - a
male Blackcap, approximately a dozen phylloscopus
warblers, a Common Sandpiper and a nice female Whinchat.
There were at least two family parties of Stonechats in the
area, along with the usual good numbers of Ravens and way
too many gulls!
