20th April 2016

Weather: SE force 2, clear overnight, slight mist

A south easterly at this time in spring always brings anticipation of an arrival of birds to the island and today this was indeed the case. First thing this morning saw several Wheatears pass through rapidly, with a male Whinchat (the first this year) accompanying them and 7 White Wagtails were also early comers. In the paddocks a small fall of Willow Warblers occured, about 15 through the morning with 6 Chiffchaffs, with the Chiffchaffs mostly arriving slightly later.

A Woodpigeon was on the island, and another in the afternoon, and a Sparrowhawk flew off the west side (above), then a Grasshopper Warbler was heard and not seen (also the first this year) and a male Redstart was found in the SK mist net.

 
There were quite a few finches today including a Chafffinch, 24 Goldfinches, 2 Siskins, and 27 Redpolls, one of the Redpolls trapped seemed in appearance to resemble a Common Redpoll, although that could not be confirmed by biometrics.

Hirundines were sparse today, only 10 Sand Martins, 1 House Martin and 9 Swallows including the local breeding pair (right)




On the sea 15 Sandwich terns and 2 Common Terns were recorded along with 2 Great Crested Grebes and
9 Common Scoter. On the shore 25 Ringed Plover were notable and Whimbrel reached a new peak of 17 birds (right).


Ringed: 6 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 1 Redstart, 6 Redpolls, 3 Wrens, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock.          [ 134-17 ]  photos CJ & SRW