With an overnight south easterly, rain and drizzle soon after dawn, and the middle of May date, it was decided on the way to the island that Spotted Flycatcher would be a certainty this morning, and for once the speculation proved correct. Two were found on the first round of the traps (left); another new species for the year. Large numbers of warblers are not expected after the middle of May, but quality rather than quantity is hoped for, nevertheless there were 5 Willow Warblers , a Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat present. Greenland Wheatears were seen in many places including 3 by the marine lake, and 12 were on the island, mostly females plus a stunning adult male, some staying throughout the tide. The hirundine passage was good for this late in May, 250 Swallows, 39 house Martins and 7 Sand Martins were counted. Other passerines included 5 Goldfinches, 3 Lesser Redpolls, a Pied Wagtail, a Yellow Wagtail that circled the island for a while, and an out of season Skylark down low over the island. There are still 1500 summer plumaged Dunlin,150 Ringed Plover and 4 Sanderling on the shore, also 4 Whimbrel (right) and 3 Little Egrets. Seven Sandwich Terns were the only significant sea birds.
Ringed:- 3 Greenland Wheatears, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Redpoll
(DB,CJ et al) [ 631- 29 ] photos (Whimbrel - CJ)
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