13th April 2021

 Weather: SSE force 1/2, later N 1  slight mist early

Over 2,000 Pink-footed Geese graced the sky in the early morning light. 

At last the first Willow Warbler of the spring, the warbler by far the most numerous here during April, and occasionally arriving in a fall overnight. 

A single Chiffchaff, a Wheatear and 4 White Wagtails were down and 12 Swallows and 5 Sand Martins passed through during the day. Just the odd finch arrived also 4 White Wagtails and 3 Pied.

The Rock Pipits seem to have gone quiet, hopefully they may be making progress in breeding.

A species that is certainly breeding are the many Linnets.

and possibly a pair of Blackbirds.

Also new for the year were 4 Common Terns, with the 28 Sandwich terns on the West Hoyle bank, some of which landed on the new yellow buoy off the west side.

 The sea was again productive with no less than 48 Red-throated Divers, 22 Great Crested Grebes,

also 24 Little Gulls, 7 Gannets, 6 Razorbills, 21 Guillemots, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers. and best of all 2 Velvet Scoters (male & female) flew west. After the first Whimbrel the other day there were 2 birds this morning. 

Two visiting Canada Geese joined the Eider and the 64 remaining Brent (2 are dark-bellied) around the island and proceeded to share the main pond with the Mallards.

 A Peregrine was here today but not the Kestrel.