22nd February 2019

Weather: SE  3-4  vis 5 mls increasing later.

The movement of passerines continued today with 10 Skylark recorded, at least 3 of which came down on the main island. A Lapwing flew south over Little Eye and 2 Siskin called over the obs early morning.A flock of Pink-footed Geese flew over calling. Dunnock had increased to 4 with 3 displaying on the obs fence and the male singing with gusto. 

The first Goldcrest of Spring called briefly in the obs garden, 2 Woodpigeon and 3 Linnet were also ‘down’, the obs tea break worked it’s magic with a female Stonechat appearing in the Pittospurum then staying quite a while in the garden.

Two Rock Pipit and 10 Meadow Pipit were logged,

Four Goldfinch flew over, also the first 2 Reed Bunting of Spring , 12 Jackdaw and 5 Pied Wagtail. A female House Sparrow was in the old obs garden calling.

As the tide started to make, 8,000 Knot moved over the East Hoyle

 ... along with 1,000 Dunlin, 170 Grey Plover and 165 Curlew and some Ringed Plover. 

 A Great Northern Diver flew passed the north end where 7 Purple Sandpiper were roosting.

  and on the sea a Red-throated Diver, 11 Great-crested Grebe and 15 Common Scoter were noted. 

The pale-bellied Brent included this colour ringed bird.

 Two Shelduck flew up the estuary and the Eider were back down to just 3 birds including the adult male.

 Thanks to Elliot Monteith for some records and photos
 photos EM & AS