14th April 2022

 Weather:  ESE force 1, SSE 2 by noon. bright early, clouding over mid-morning

The day started as so many this month with 4 skeins of Pink-footed Geese flying north, 450 in total. A single Wheatear on arrival at the island was the only one for some time, although 3 others appeared later. There was no fall of warblers, just 6 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs during the morning and little else but the breeding birds in the gardens. A Woodpigeon flew through and off to Middle and a Magpie arrived and stayed to pose and make as much noise as possible on the highest vantage points.

Thoughts of a possible passage of hirundines soon evaporated as just a single swallow came to visit today. Five White and 2 Pied Wagtails were around, 2 of the Whites were down at the north end. Finches were also sparse, 2 Goldfinches and a Siskin called over the island. A pair of Eider flew up the west side close in and then promply disappeared, although the drake was later seen diving between the islands with a female Goosander, bit of a mystery what happened to the female Eider. The Brent were all gathered together off the east side and there appear to be just 22 remaining now.

The Purple Sandpipers likewise are thinning out, 5 were noted this morning. Dunlin were quite vocal this morning, around 250 flew around the island at the high tide. Two Gannets and 34 Sandwich Terns were noted. At about noon a Whimbrel, the first of the year showed itself on the rocks below the west side. Despite it flying up and down the island it did not utter its unique call.

Ringed: 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Wren, 6 Linnets.

Photos CJ