9th April 2018

Weather: light air, mist around the estuary, then SE 1/2 and warm later in the sunshine.
Despite the promising conditions not as  much migration action as yesterday but nevertheless it was extremely pleasant on the island. Pink-footed Geese continue to travel north out of the Dee with many doing so today in several groups of about a hundred or so. The 2 Eiders were still in the gutter and the Brent were counted at 143. Three or four Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests fed in the gardens and paddocks and a Reed Bunting dropped down briefly. A few Goldfinches and Pied Wagtails added to the mix but one Sand Martin was the sole hirundine following yesterdays strong arrival. First 2 and then 7 Jackdaws flew high to the west over the island and 2 Skylarks and a Redpoll were heard, but otherwise migrants were at a premium apart from the two Greenland type Wheatears, the first to arrive became the second to be ringed this spring.

In the afternoon 2 Willow Warblers dropped down into the old obs garden, while a sea watch noted 8 Sandwich Terns, 8 Great Crested Grebes and an immature Mute Swan on the sea a long way off the north end. Looking towards the Swan observers noticed 2 Harbour Porpoises in the same area.
Three Little Egrets showed themselves to advantage in the sunshine which also encouraged the first Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies to make an appearance.

Ringed: 1 Greenland Wheatear, 2 Linnets, 2 Wrens.                 [ 103-17 ]
photos CJW, AS