Wednesday, 15 March 2017

A light breeze allowed a thick fog to set in over the island for the day today, unfortunately grinding migration down to a slow pace. A smaller number of early spring migrants were still recorded, including todays total of 112 Meadow Pipits. Among the pipits were four Stonechats and two Wheatears. On the other side of migration 14 Goldcrests, a Siskin and a Reed Bunting were recorded. Further signs of spring were seen with another three Sand Martins passing over the island.

The wet winter has left many puddles and marshy areas across the island, which played host to two Water Rails, five Snipes and a Jack Snipe today. Some Raptors were still lingering as well, including a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and a Merlin still hunting across the South End. More good news came in the evening with two Manx Shearwaters heard over the observatory, presumably the first returning individuals checking their nest sites.

In other news, the moth trap at Cristin attracted a total of eight Dark Swordgrass, an unusually high number considering the time of year. However, not a complete fluke since others reported the same occurrence.

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