It's been a bit quiet lately, but recent highlights include some Willow Warbler passage, early autumn Tree Pipits, the first returning Turnstone and some Storm Petrel ringing sessions. @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding #birdringing

Highlights of last week: Sandwich Tern, two Treecreeper at the Obs, four Rook and the first push of Sedge Warblers ringed. Shag & Linnet flocks are both increasing, whilst Black-headed Gulls & Common Sandpipers are moving through. @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding

It feels like autumn now! 1st records of Redshank and Common Gull, with returning warblers & hirundines and dispersing Song Thrush, Woodpigeon & Starling. Breeding birds wise: 1st fledged gulls and baby Wrens everywhere! @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding

Recent firsts: gull chicks ringed, Red-veined Darters (1st & 2nd Calf record), Oystercatcher fledgelings, and autumn Grey Wagtails & Swifts (one of the best return Swift passages in a decade). @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social 📷Sheila Norris #swiftawarenessweek #ukbirding

Recent weather: fog to start, but brightened up to sunny and Green! A Green Warbler was trapped and ringed at the Observatory yesterday morning - if accepted by BBRC this will constitute the first record for the Isle of Man! @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding

Trickle of autumn migrants this week (📸 Lesser Whitethroat and failed-breeder Willow Warbler). Seawatch on 13th produced 3 Wigeon (2nd Jun record) and three Gadwall (4th Calf record). First Puffins on land seen taking off from South Harbour. @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

A quiet week on the Calf, with star bird indubitably being a male Blue-headed Wagtail (8th Calf record). Seawatching produced unseasonal Common Scoters, Shag flocks are building up offshore and there are lots of gull chicks running around! @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

We're looking for keen birders to join us in monitoring the wonder of autumn migration on the Calf of Man! Please email calfbirdwarden@mwt.im for more information on how to apply. 🗓 The deadline for applicants is Friday 17th July @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

The Spotted Flycatchers have finally arrived! Other recent highlights: Ringed Plover on the deck, Reed Warbler, Moorhen (1st since 2022), Tree Sparrow, singing Rosefinch (38th record) and Great Crested Grebe (1st May record). @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding

Star bird this week was a Subalpine Warbler (putative Western) trapped and ringed at the Obs. Also new for the year were Osprey, Stock Dove, Red-throated and Great Northern Diver. Whimbrel passage included this bird from Iceland! @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding

Migration highlights from the last week include Cuckoo, 'acredula-type' Willow Warblers, an arrival of Whitethroats, one Fieldfare, Purple Sandpipers, a light passage of hirundines and some particularly stunning Lesser Redpolls. @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Delayed post but we're back in business! Meet the 2026 team: Eleanor Grover returns as Bird Warden, joined by a fantastic new group: Marcia Webberley (Assistant BW), Chloe Attrill (Assistant EW) and Jasmine Smith (Estate Warden). @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Fancy experiencing life on a remote island bird observatory? We're looking for spring/summer volunteers (see following thread)! 1/4 *Appointment of these voluntary positions is conditional upon the outcome of a tender that has not yet been awarded (as of 30/01/26). Shag and birding 📸s: Kate Fox

The Calf of Man won Environmental Initiative of the Year 🏆🎉 This award recognises the vital conservation work undertaken by past and present wardens and volunteers and the important partnership between @manxheritage.bsky.social and @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social. Thank you to all involved!

Last weekend we closed down the observatory and said goodbye to the Calf for the winter. It's been a great season - thanks to all who have helped to make this year a success! 📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social @manxheritage.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

A windy day took an exciting turn this morning with this beaut of a Buzzard caught! A young female, she is only the second Buzzard to be ringed on the Calf. @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding #birdringing

A real gem waiting for us on the outside of the moth trap this morning. What a moth!!! @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Kate Fox@birdingfox.bsky.social · 10mo ago

It’s always exciting getting a first for the Calf in the moth trap… but even more special when they are as stunning as this OLEANDER HAWKMOTH! 🤩 @calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

🐦 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER ringed at the Obs this morning! The 2nd record of RB Flycatcher this season an exciting addition to a busy day’s ringing (206 processed incl 193 new). A notable increase in Chaffinches, Goldcrests, tits and Robins among other species too 📸 Matt Livsey #ukbirding

A young Pink-footed Goose was ringed on the Calf last night, only the second ever caught after the first in 1990! We’ve seen the first push of ‘Pinkies’ the past couple of days as they head south for the winter. A classic autumn sight! 🪿🍂 @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding #birdringing

A young COMMON ROSEFINCH ringed at the Observatory today! A nice addition to the arrival of migrants, with a notable increase in Robins and Swallow passage, a family of 4 Pink-Footed Geese, 13 Golden Plover and 13 Redshank also. www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... 📸 Matt Livsey #ukbirding

Second autumn vagrant in a week: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER above Gibdale this morning, the first August record and 1st since 2020! Also a more showy Pied Flycatcher present (pictured) for a handy comparison. 📸 Matthew Livsey #ukbirding @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Birders check yer bramble bushes… immature BARRED WARBLER ringed at the Observatory this morning! Autumn migration is well underway with birds continuing to trickle through the Calf, and this beauty was an exciting addition to the net round. 📸 @birdingfox.bsky.social #ukbirding

🗺️🐦 Our Wheatears are on the move! One of this year’s Wheatear chicks colour-ringed on the Calf was seen at the Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon! One of over 100 pulli we ringed this year, with over 30 nests monitored. @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding

🐣 With the breeding season coming to an end, let’s look back at how our seabird colonies have done this year! The Bird Team have been busy counting nests, monitoring productivity and ringing chicks and adults to help us understand how they’re doing. 1/ @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #seabirds

There’s still time to apply for our Assistant Bird Warden position! 🗓️ Deadline THIS FRIDAY 🐦 see below for more details 👇 @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #ukbirding

Calf of Man Bird Observatory@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social · last yr.

🦆🔭 Join our Team! We’re looking for a passionate ringer & birder to join our friendly team as Assistant Bird Warden! The role will involve monitoring autumn migration through daily census and bird ringing. To find out more 👇 www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma... 🗓️ Applications close Friday 18th July

🗓️ DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY! There’s still a few days left to get your applications in for our September Ornithological Volunteer position. A great opportunity to join the Calf team for some quality birding and island antics during peak migration! Follow the link below for full details 👇 #ukbirding

Calf of Man Bird Observatory@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social · last yr.

🐦 Exciting volunteering opportunity! 🔭 We are looking for an Ornithological Volunteer to join our friendly team on the Calf of Man during peak autumn migration, from the 2nd September until 30th September 2025! See below for more information 👇 www.mwt.im/jobs/calf-ma... @btobirds.bsky.social

Didn’t expect to have a very vocal LAUGHING GULL fly around above me whilst I went to ring gull chicks on the Calf of Man this afternoon!! The bird stayed around just long enough for others to get there and bring a camera before it headed high north! #ukbirding

#ukbirding

Calf of Man Bird Observatory@calfofmanbirdobs.bsky.social · last yr.

LAUGHING GULL found by @edjbetteridge.bsky.social this afternoon! Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man. @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

LAUGHING GULL found by @edjbetteridge.bsky.social this afternoon! Smart summer-plumage adult, very vocal circling with other gulls for 15mins before heading towards the Isle of Man. @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social @britishbirds.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

🦆 Eider Update! 🐣 The Bird Team have been busy over the past 2 months monitoring our breeding Eiders. They’ve been mapping nests, recording clutch size and catching the females as part of a long-term project. So far this season they’ve found 76 nests, predominantly in bracken and heather… 1/4