12th May 2021

Weather: SSE Force 1-2, showery

The morning started cold and bright with few grounded migrants on the island. A Whitethroat was singing in the paddocks and a Wheatear was seen at dawn near the Obs with seven being counted on Middle Eye.  

As it got lighter a few birds were caught in the heligoland traps with Willow Warbler and Blackcap both being ringed.

A Common Sandpiper was heard to call on the rocks along the west side and was located and the requisite record shot taken.

One of the male Eiders was seen roosting up on the Whaleback and both males were later seen displaying to the unimpressed female at the north end.

 

 All three were seen in Niffy Bay just after the high tide. Also at the north end was the Guillemot that has been hanging around the island for a few days.

After a short sharp rain shower more migrants were found to have dropped in with another two Willow Warblers being ringed. A few waders are still present with parties of Whimbrel being seen around the islands but the attentions of a female Peregrine forced some to fly straight across the estuary towards north Wales. Dunlin & Ringed Plover are still moving through and a party of 12 Turnstone fed on the rocks at the north end as the tide receded.

The Thrift is now in full bloom and the island is looking at its best this time of year.

Three of the potential breeding species pictured today were Rock Pipit, Shelduck and Wren.

More maintenance work was carried out today with the steps from the obs balcony down to the garden being repaired as these had become unsafe.

 Ringed: 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Linnets, 1 Wren

photos AS, PSW