Monday 22 April 2024

22nd April 2024

 Weather:  NW force 3

The forecast rain showers did not happen this morning but the north westerly wind meant migration was very sparse. But somehow in these conditions the first Whitethroat of the spring came to the island.

 

A male Blackcap was also here, probably the bird ringed yesterday. Four Wheatear resembling the Greenland race arrived, they are often not dependent of wind conditions for their arrival. Predictably no Pinkfooted Geese flew out of the estuary this morning against the head wind and the only geese on view today were 8 Canadas and the remaining 59 Brent. On the sea 50 Gannets fed, 3 Red-throated Divers, 40 Common Scoter, a Guillemot and a Red-breasted Merganser were on the list.

Nine newly arrived Whimbrel were here today, also 1,500 Dunlin and 70 Turnstone,

Five Purple Sandpipers were seen on the shore,

Amongst the 30 Redshank some were looking in fine summer plumage.

Regulars feeding close to the island were 6 Little Egrets and 5 Eiders. From last night's mothtrap we had Brimstone,

Dark Sword-grass,

and Agonopterix arenella (a micro moth)

Photos CJW, SRW

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