5th May 2021

Weather: NW Force 1-3. Hail & rain showers

The weather threw everything at the islands today. There was a cold NW breeze bringing in rain, hail and the occasional spells of sunshine.

 Understandably there were no grounded migrants but the hail resulted in a few seabirds seeking temporary shelter around the island. Small flocks of Dunlin & Ringed Plover were seen to pitch in and sit out the storms whilst an adult Kittiwake took refuge on the rocks at the north end.  

Resident birds are all busy either nest building or proclaiming their territories with Linnets, Meadow Pipits, Wrens and Rock Pipits all singing in the sunshine between the showers. Wintering wader numbers have dropped off significantly with only a single Turnstone, a few Oystercatchers and Curlew being seen. Whimbrel are still migrating through heading north to their breeding grounds and 15 were recorded. The now regular Eider were at the north end with 2 males and a single female being seen.

The island is beginning to look very colourful with drifts off pink Thrift interspersed with the yellow of Birdsfoot Trefoil. 

The delicate white flowers of Pignut are also begining to open.

A lot of maintenance work has been done around the Obs and traps over the last week and yesterday the Obs fence was repaired. 

photos PSW