18th March 2024

 Weather: E force 3, slowly veering W  through SE, S, SW,  during the morning.

A few Goldcrests were in the gardens first thing when 3 were caught for ringing.

A small number of Robins had also arrived with just a single Chiffchaff which was singing in the SK paddock. A visit to the north end surprisingly encountered a Blue Tit arriving off the sea. It must have filtered down the island because a short time later it appeared in the obs garden before rapidly flying off south.

There have been an exceptional number of Blue Tit records over the last few weeks as it is still a scarce bird here but does tend to occur at this time of year. A steady passage of Meadow Pipits in small groups came south and west down the island chain but checking the likely spots failed to turn up the first Wheatear of the year. Three Ravens cronked as they flew west towards Wales, pursued by the local Crows. Another north end visit found a pair of Pintail off the east side, they stayed around for several hours which is unusual.

Other Wildfowl round and about were 265 pale bellied Brent plus a dark bellied bird, a female Eider, a male and 2 female Goosander, 4 Mallard by the pond, 12 Shelduck and a few Common Scoter. A Magpie flew in and was around the islands for a while. 

Other briefer visitors were 2 Stock Doves flying over the shore, 3 Skylarks, 9 Pied Wagtails, 3 Goldfinch, a Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch and a Siskin. The tide was very small early this morning so no roosts were seen, however sightings through telescopes and flocks flying by managed to record: 36 Grey Plover, 70 Bar-tailed Godwit, 600 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 75 Redshank, 100 Sanderling, and of course the regular Turnstones,

The morning became quite warm and spring like when the sun was out, this Peacock butterfly appreciated the weather.

 Ringed: 3 Goldcrests, 3 Robins, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Rock Pipit.

Photos CJ, SRW