Monthly report July 2019
General: coverage and weather:
Average temperature was 14.8degC, 1.6degC over the normal. Highest temperature was 27.0degC (27th), and lowest was 9.4degC (7th). Total rainfall was 91.5mm. Most rainfall in one day was 37.0mm (21st), measured 0700 (0800 summer time) for the previous 24 hours. Highest wind speed was 16.9 m/s (7th). There were a total of 57 different species recorded which is similar to the previous year when 58 species were recorded.
Raptors:
July is not normally a month renound for raptors and this year was no exception. A few local Peregrine Falcons as well as singles of White-tailed Eagle were reported.
Shorebirds:
There has been no ringing of Petrels this year, and there were no tours to Spannholmene or good days with seabird passage. At the end of the month there was the usual influx of tringa waders in low numbers both on the island and on passage. A singing Quail at Skjeldemarka on the 8th and 15 Knot on passage were the most notable records in this taxa. There were a few young and adult Artic and Common Terns recorded as well as occasional reports of auks indicating good availability of small fish this summer. A passage Manx Shearwater and a Great Skua on the 1st were the only noteworthy seabird records during a month with few days with strong winds from the west or south-west.
Passerines:
A Skylark on the 17th, an early returning Blackcap on the 9th and a Spotted Flycatcher on the 29th, as well as a few Crossbills sp. were the only non-breeding species noted on the island during the month. Two-barred Crossbills were noted in small flocks of two to five birds between the 9th and 29th, while Common Crossbill were noted in flocks of 15 to 20 between the 9th and 16th.
Ringing:
There was no ringing activity during the month.
Year ticks:
Knot on the 6th and Two-barred Crossbill on the 9th were the only new birds for the year.
Rarities/local scarcities:
None
The Storm-cabin at Pedleneset got some long needed maintenance plus that a French wood-design student (Quintin) has started to build a new platform. Let the Shearwaters come.
