13th May 2017

Weather: SSW force 3/4   rain showers

Although the wind is trying to turn to the west there was still some south in it this morning bringing in another 3 Spotted Flycatchers (see above and below), also 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler, a Goldcrest and both male and female Blackcap, a species which has been unusually scarce on the islands this spring; in fact the male became the first to be ringed this year.

Wheatear and Meadow Pipit

A group of 7 Curlew Sandpipers (possibly a spring record count for the island) flew low across the top of the island, a phenonemon which has been noted previously, and 120 Sanderling flew north east mid-morning. A Sand Martin, 7 House Martins and several Swallows went through during the first part of the day.

The single pale-bellied Brent continues to linger.  Photos AEH and SRW

Ringed: 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Robin. [ 356-31 ]

Wader numbers had decreased from previous days but Dunlin and Ringed Plover were still present in smaller flocks on the flooding tide edge keeping a wary eye out for a Peregrine which hung in the air in the wind by the mast mid morning.