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

🐦 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

🗓️ 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

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

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

Please continue to report all sightings of dead birds for possible testing for avian influenza: 📌In England, Wales & Scotland: www.gov.uk/guidance/rep... 📌In Northern Ireland: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/dae... 📌In Republic of Ireland: aviancheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/report

🦆🔭 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

A bit of excitement this afternoon when Ed found TWO Quails! The seventh Calf record and first since 1990. It’s also the first involving more than one individual! @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #calfbirdobs #ukbirding #ManxNature

1/ 🐧🧐 Can you spot the real Puffin? The team had a very exciting encounter yesterday during seabird productivity checks on Burroo Neck… As we walked back, a Puffin circled close by and landed right next to our decoy Puffin colony! 🤩 @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #calfbirdobs #ManxNature

📣 NEW BLOG POST! 🦆 We had some great birding highlights throughout May, and the Ornithology Team have been busy following the progress of our breeding birds. Head over to our new blog to find out more... 👇 www.mwt.im/blog/calf-ma... @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #calfofman #ManxNature

🐦 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

📣 NEW BLOG POST! 🪏🌸🦈 Wondering what the Calf Team got up to in May? Check out our latest blog for an update on the Estate work, special visitors and some wildlife highlights from the past month… www.mwt.im/blog/calf-ma... @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #calfbirdobs #ManxNature

📣Our latest blog post is up! Check it out to find out what the Calf Team got up to in the latter-half of April, including the wildlife highlights, bird monitoring and estate work... www.mwt.im/blog/calf-ma... @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #calfbirdobs #ManxNature

Bird of the day, and what a handsome chap! 😍 Other highlights included a juvenile Crossbill, 2 Swifts, a Tree Pipit, 14 Spotted Flycatchers, a Jackdaw and two Hen Harriers. www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #ukbirding #ManxNature

A brilliant spot by Ed this morning, with the Calf and Isle of Man’s 1st Red-rumped Swallow! A good arrival of other migrants too. Full day counts 🐦⬇️ www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social #ukbirding #ManxNature

Breeding Eiders are starting to pick up on the Calf of Man now with females starting to lay across the island. Slowly getting my eye in to this rather cryptic species #ukbirding

Ringing highlights today included 2 Reed Warblers, a male House Sparrow, and two foreign controls (a Belgian Sedge Warbler 🇧🇪 and French Chiffchaff 🇫🇷). Other migrants included Dunlin, Collared Dove, Grey Heron, 4 Spot Flys. www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #ukbirding #ManxNature

Our Water Rails have hatched! 🥳🐣 Last year they returned as a breeding species on the Calf for the first since 1994, with a single pair. This year we are pleased to report we have two pairs, and both now have fluffy black chicks (broods of 4+ and 7+)! @manxwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Two 🇫🇷 control Sedge Warblers today continuing our foreign-control streak this week! Other highlights included the season’s first Garden Warbler, 2 Swift, a Common Gull, five Whimbrels and the female Ring Ouzel still present. www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #ukbirding #ManxNature

The third Whinchat of the season was ringed with today, a beautiful female. Other highlights included a Skylark and four Spotted Flycatchers, and the female Ring Ouzel and Magpie pair were still present. Full list ⬇️ www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #ukbirding #ManxWildlife

Today’s highlights: 6 Spot Fly (3 trapped), 2 Whinchat, f Ring Ouzel, 17 Sedge Warbler (incl a Spanish control), 74 Wheatears (lots of Greenland type), Grey Heron, 2 White Wags, 79 Swallows, 10 House & 3 Sand Martins, 5 Whimbrels & a Common Sandpiper www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #ukbirding

Also trapped this morning was a Pied Fly, Redstart, Whinchat, Blue Tit, Siskin, 28 Sedge Warblers and 20 Whitethroat amongst c75 birds.

Yesterday’s ‘star bird’ was this control Spotted Flycatcher, which had been ringed in Norway 🐦🇳🇴An amazing record!! #ukbirding #ManxNature

Birds of note today incl: 4 Whimbrel, 2 Com Sand, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Cuckoo, Blue Tit, 39 Swallow, 9 House Mart, 2 Sand Mart, 23 Willow Warblers, 7 Chiff, 30 Sedge Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 23 Whitethroat, Ring Ouzel, 5 Spot Fly, Pied Fly, 2 Whinchat and 61 Wheatear. www.trektellen.org/count/view/2...

Today saw the first Osprey, Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler of the year. Also a Whinchat, Tree Pipit, 5 Whimbrels, Common Sandpiper, Siberian Chiffchaff. The 1st Magpie of 2025 was ringed, alongside 5 Shags whilst conducting productivity checks. www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #ukbirding

Sandwich Tern was new for the year today, and the Lapwing was present again today. Also 10 Whimbrels and decent Swallow passage with 97 recorded. Full list ⬇️ www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... Also the first Eider nest of 2025, with the female caught a retrap from 2018 🦆🪺 #ukbirding #ManxNature

58 species recorded yesterday, with Swift and Lapwing new for 2025. Other highlights incl Cuckoo, 2 BH Gulls, 4 Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Fieldfare, Magpie, 11 House Martins, 127 Swallows, a Skylark, 5 Sedge Warblers & 6 Whitethroats www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... #ukbirding #ManxNature

A great night out on the Calf, with @edjbetteridge.bsky.social continuing his dazzling success; ringing the Calf’s 2nd ever Whimbrel, more drake Eiders now ringed this year than in all previous years combined, and the Calf’s first control Eider! #birdringing #manxnature #ukbirding #calfbirdobs

Another good night dazzling on the Calf of Man. Starting with a Whimbrel (2nd ever ringed here) and 3 GBB Gulls (2S,4S,4S). Before catching 8 Eiders (6 drakes beating the total ever caught on the Calf), including the 1st ever control!! Also an Oyc and 5 Wheatears.

The first Sedge Warbler of the year ringed this morning, and 11 Whimbrels around Caigher and the Puddle were today’s highlights. Full list ⬇️ www.trektellen.org/count/view/2... Also this afternoon a male Orange-tip butterfly was our first record since 2008! #ukbirding #calfbirdobs #manxnature

Nice to have the returning Bonxie back on the Calf of Man and now a regular feature of census. Thought to be it’s 10th year! Hopefully this year it will be the one it finds a mate and breeds! #ukbirding

Tickets on sale now for Migfest @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social 😀 Book now ➡️ https://bit.ly/_migfest Migfest is a highlight of the birding calendar where new and experienced birders come together to enjoy the wonders of migration through guided walks, talks from experts and good food! #SpurnBirds

A few highlights of my recent visit to the Calf of Man - Ring Ouzel (a personal first), Harbour Porpoise and a thoroughly relaxing quiet break from normality.