22nd April 2021

Weather:  SE force 2   clear sky,    very cool breeze

 

 An early pre-tide and pre-dawn start made for a cold round the island walk and it soon became apparent there few signs of the Willow Warbler fall of yesterday, indeed it transpired that none appeared the whole day. A ringed Chiffchaff remained from yesterday, and a new one was ringed later. The first warbler to appear in the traps however was a male Blackcap, and a while afterwards a female was also ringed., the female showing Blackthorn pollen around the bill.

 

 A male Yellow Wagtail flew around the north end and 2 more crossed the island independently. There had been only 2 previous records this year. Finches this morning included 12 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin and 8 Goldfinches (2 were ringed). 

 Just a single Wheatear appeared briefly, also a White Wagtail. Three Sand Martins went through as did a few Swallows. Eight Shelduck flew about the islands and 5 others flew off to the west.

A single Brent flew around on its own and another 4 (all pale) were off the west side of Middle, that is all that seem to remain. just 2 Purple Sandpipers were at the north end. A Bar-tailed Godwit flew west over between the islands, the first seen for some time, and over 100 Dunlin showed, some in summer plumage. A few dozen Ringed Plover, 55 Turnstone and 7 Whimbrel were the other highlights of the waders. Also flying between the islands was a drake Eider which could be the one seen here regularly recently but had gone missing over the last few days. The 2 Canada Geese stayed by the pond again. Early in the morning 35 Gannets were quite close off the west side, feeding with Sandwich Terns, other sea birds were 5 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Guillemots. Four Little Egrets brightened the up the gutter scene down the east side., while the daffodils that have cheered members in the island sunshine are just starting to be passed their best.

 photo AS, SRW