22nd May 2011

The rain had cleared overnight leaving a bright but blustery morning, with the westerly wind freshening throughout the day. As expected very few migrants were on the move but a Wheatear was seen first thing on 'the reef' south of Middle Eye. There were no passerines around the paddocks other than the breeding birds including the recently ringed male Pied Wagtail.

However, a male Whitethroat sang from various bushes in the Obs garden but even he gave up as the wind strengthened! A few Curlew, Whimbrel and plenty of Dunlin and Ringed Plover were trying to shelter in the gutter as was a solitary Little Egret in 'egret flash'.

Predictably attention was drawn to sea-watching as the tide began to flood and there were at least 35 Gannets and a single Manxie struggled west before observers left the island for the afternoon. The sandswept shore bearing testament to the near gale force wind (see above).

[AAB+friends, SRW] Photos SRW