Tuesday 22 April 2014

22nd April 2014

Weather:  ENE 3-4, dropping to 0-1 and shifting to ESE, mist first thing turning to occasional light drizzle, 3 miles vis


The day began with little hope for grounded migrants with a cold easterly with a definite northerly touch.  However, the first round produced another female Redstart and things were looking up.  The next round produced a male Redstart and a Gropper - both in the 'Heli'; only three birds caught but all quality.


Hirundines were much in evidence with groups of Swallows, House and Sand Martins chasing through for much of the morning and then in dribs and drabs throughout the day.  Final counts being 450 Swallow, 85 House and 59 Sand Martins.

The only other visible migration was a couple of Flava and White Wagtails and a few finches.

A Fulmar prospected first Middle then the main island a couple of times during the morning.  Light drizzle starting producing a few phylloscs (mainly Willows with a couple of Chiffchaffs) after 8am; a couple of hours after the first round.  A female Blackcap appeared by the toilet blocks.


Mid morning produced a third Redstart of the morning and the first Whitethroat of the year was caught and ringed.


Another Grasshopper Warbler began singing from the lower trapping paddock and was subsequently caught.


Later in the day a second unringed male Whitethroat was found in the trapping area.


Passage waders were in evidence with Whimbrel leading the way with 6 birds noted.  Meanwhile the sea was reasonably good with Gannets and Sandwich Terns well presented and on th evening tide a pair of Eider spent some time around Middle Eye.


(SRW, TGW+2 (from over), DB, CJ, CJW(f), GIW) [318-25] Photos SRW

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