28th March 2022

 Weather:  SE force 2/3     slight mist

An early start to catch the morning tide enabled 12 Redwing to be heard overhead before daybreak. It turned out to be a quieter day as regards passage of finches than of late, but many other species provided good compensation. Shortly after 7 am the sound of trumpeting swans approaching the island from the south heralded a line of 12 Whooper Swans flying low directly over the obs building and off towards the north and then east.

A male Wheatear arrived shortly after by the lookout, the first for a few days and was followed later by 6 others as well as a female, 

  The potter traps were deployed but only managed to attract 3 previously tagged Rock Pipits.

There were no Goldcrests in the gardens today until one turned up in the afternoon, but 3 Chiffchaffs were ringed.

 

As mentioned few finches came through, just 2 Siskin and 6 Goldfinches, also a Reed Bunting. A single drake Eider possibly the one that has been seen several times reccently was at the north end and later it was joined by 2 other males and a female, until the new birds departed at noon towards the Point of Air,

leaving the regular single male behind

 Three Goosander were in the lagoon between the islands most of the morning and relocated to the north end in the afternoon,

not to be outdone 2 Canada Geese also spent some time in the lagoon area. There seemed to be more Linnets around today, with many now singing in preparation for breeding, while Blackbirds are in similar mode with males singing on both main islands. There were lots of Curlew mostly south of Little Eye making a total of 320 birds and a total of 8 Little Egret fed in the gutter.

 Only 6 Purple Sandpipers could be found roosting at high tide.

Photos CJ, AS, SRW