4th April 2010

A blustery freezing cold north westerly greeted observers this morning and certainly kept the passerines hidden with no sign of any spring migrants on the island - and if the Black Redstart is still around it was certainly keeping more well hidden than usual (and who could blame it?).

With several thousand gulls still present on the East Hoyle sand bank, the Pale-bellied Brents still numbering at least 80, 5 Purple Sandpipers and the two Velvet Scoters found offshore again (in amongst the large waves) being the highlighst of the day, you could be forgiven for thinking it was still winter!

Despite the strong southerlies and rain forecast for tomorrow morning, observers remain hopeful as ever ...

(FES, TJS, NDW, SRW + CLW, TGW, CJW (f) and GIW)