19th April 2021

 Weather: SE force 0/1, later 2  misty, mostly clear overhead, sunny later in the morning

A small arrival of Willow Warblers filtered in soon after dawn, in double figures we would think and gave the ringers something to do, 8 were ringed also a Chiffchaff. An hour or so later a Redstart was noticed sitting on top of the 'newton' trap, it flew down into the Blackthorn and ended up in the SK trap. The bird on Saturday was a female, this was a male in fine plumage, males of many species tend to arrive first in the spring.

 Three Wheatears were present first thing, but like most of the Willow Warblers they had gone by 10.00. Two Sand Martins came through, speeding down the west side of the island, but no new Swallows. Other migrants included 8 Goldfinches, 6 Redpolls, 2 Siskin, 3 White Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail calling and then a female Blackcap landed in the trapping area and was ringed.Pollen from the Blackthorn flowers was noted around it's bill.

 Later on a male appeared on the island. We still await among others our first Ring Ouzel. A Peregrine flew over the island in the early mist, while 2 Ravens made separate visits to annoy the pair of Crows, and 2 Jackdaws did high fly overs. The two Canada Geese were heard but not seen by mid-morning, the Brents seem to be down to 10 pale and 2 dark birds. Eight Whimbrels were around the shore, also 48 Turnstones and 2 Little Egrets. Gannets showed well, a flock heading out of the Dee were relatively close, as were some of the Sandwich Terns which settled on the rocks, they are now about 400 strong in total.

Four Shelduck were about on the shore.

photos CJ, AS, SRW