15th April 2021

Weather: SE force 2   clear overhead, cool breeze

We are now used to the regular passage of Pink-footed geese north out the estuary this month, there were none yesterday but today was probably the best yet with many skeins flying from early morning.

 

A total of 3 Willow Warblers were ringed and then the first Tree Pipit of the year was calling as it passed overhead. Six White Wagtails were on the island, a few showing well in the early morning light.

Early larger visitors were a Woodpigeon and a Collared Dove (which was later ringed), usually a less than annual event.

Small numbers of Wheatears stopped in the usual places, a Greenland race bird became the first ringed this year.

 A single Swallow flew in circles about the paddock for a minute or two. Not too many finches today, 2 Siskin, 2 Goldfinch and a Redpoll called and made themselves known. Five Rock Pipits were seen this morning.

Four Canada Geese flew by and 2 others did a repeat of the other day and hung about with the Mallards by the island pond.

The Eider was at the north end and 2 pair of Teal were disturbed off the west side tide edge, while 5 Wigeon flew west away from the north end. A group of 18 Barnacle Geese (probably of feral origin) flew passed the top of the island and down the west side. To complete the wildfowl the Brent are still around the 60 mark with 2 dark-bellied birds. Three Magpies were added to the passage list when 3 came to the island together and did a few circuits to look around before departing.

The Blackthorn is starting to bloom at the moment.