6th April 2026

Weather: SE force 3/4

Thousands of Pink-footed Geese were exiting the estuary at dawn, staging through the Dee on their way to the breeding grounds further north. Less impressive flybys were 7 Canada Geese early on.

 

 

 

A male and 2 female Eider were at the north end with the odd Brent, it's seems possible that many of the Brent have departed the islands as there were so few about today.

Four Shelduck were here with 4 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Guillemots, 18 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Gulls and 40 Common Scoter out to sea also single figures close in.

The southerly element in the wind brought a return to some migration including 3 Pied and 17 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 12 Goldfinch and hirundines comprising 4 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins. As is often the case 2 Wheatears drew the attention of the island observers.

A female Sparrowhawk hunted the island birds for a while

 

Best of the gulls was undoubtably a second summer plumage  Mediterranean Gull passing over the island, while best of the waders was a sighting of 5 Golden Plover.

 
Photos: GB, AEH, CJW.