Sunday 2 April 2017


Another glorious day today, the sun shone from dawn to dusk and wind speeds were as low as 5mph. The calm conditions allowed migrants to start passing through in reasonable number with no rain to slow them down.

Out to sea the highlight was a summer plumaged Red-throated Diver seen on the surf off the North End, also out to sea were seven Fulmars, 15 Gannets, 35 Kittiwakes and six Common Scoters. A Sanderling and three Whimbrel were seen among the usual Curlews, Redshanks and Turnstones on the Narrows.

Today saw the first real passage of Hirundines over the island as 20 Sand Martins, eight Swallows and the year’s first two House Martins migrated passed. Wagtails and Pipits were also seen in good stead, Meadow Pipits numbered 262, 126 of which were on the South End! There were also 11 resident Rock Pipits. However, on passage were a Grey Wagtail and five White Wagtails.

Some chat passage was also evident, an immature male Black Redstart was seen in the Lighthouse Compound, whilst elsewhere Stonechats and Wheatears totalled 17 and 27 respectively.

Singing Wheatear joining in with the dawn chorus

Finally, warblers were much the same as the days previous, however, eight Blackcaps, 23 Chiffchaffs, 22 Willow Warblers, 16 Goldcrests and a Firecrest were recorded. Meanwhile, a Hooded Crow was seen among the usual Corvids.

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