Today started with quite a stiff breeze coming from the North east, which gradually swung around to the North getting even stronger, and more biting as did. It was however mostly sunny again, and despite some very threatening clouds, we have somehow managed another day without rain.

Sam and George both headed out to do census as the wind scuppered all plans of ringing. As George was leaving, a Skylark flew overhead heading South, other visible migration was limited to two Rooks which flew North and crossed over to the mainland. Despite this corvid species being more regular in Autumn, a good number of records have been had so far this Spring.

Rooks' silver-grey beaks are always an easy way to pick them out from other Corvid species

At Nant, things were a bit quieter, with wind making it difficult to see what was about properly as the smaller birds are less able to fly-catch and therefore becoming harder to see. There were, however, six Spotted Flycatchers in the more sheltered areas, but only two Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs and two Whitethroats. The North End was a little more interesting, six Wheatears were on the tip, all females and all of the Greenland race 'leucorhoa'. These were definitely fresh-in birds as they hadn't been seen here over the last couple of days. The first Shelduck chicks of the year were present here too, one was in a Rockpool on the top of the cliffs, and the other was out on the sea in the middle of Nant valley. After watching the bird on the sea for a little while, the other was gone when George walked back past, presumably this had been predated in the mean time...

one of the 'Greenland' Wheatears at the North End, really stunning birds with their rich colour and very upright posture.

the Shelduckling which probably didn't make it :(

Over on the Narrows, the Sanderling was still present along with 11 Dunlins and two Ringed Plovers. A few Whimbrels were around too and two Curlews joined the Oystercatchers in their high-tide roost on Solfach. The South End held a new wader species for the year though, a Knot was on the West side and was colour-flagged.

a quick search around on returning to the Observatory suggests this bird was ringed in Northern Ireland!

George headed out to do some of his first Manx Shearwater burrow checks of the year, only two out of 16 burrows had birds with eggs, and by extension, only four off the 16 actually had a bird in the burrow. The next week or so should see more birds beginning to lay, so the burrow checks will continue around then.

At the Obs, four Spotted Flycatchers had appeared by early afternoon - these were not present in the morning, so were a sure sign that there were still birds coming in. Despite a thorough check through the garden and other areas, only a couple of Sedge Warblers were found as new additions to the day's totals, not surprising perhaps due to the strong Northerly winds which will largely be blocking any new migrants moving in. The evening did see a large Northerly movement of Manx Shearwaters though, with around 400 moving through in a matter of minutes, and later on, a Cuckoo appeared at Ty Bach.

a number of Shags were on the move with the Manxies this evening, with most heading back to the east side cliffs.

the male Tufted Duck was still present on one of the island's small ponds down in the Wetlands this evening, too.

Other birds of note today were: 12 Gannets, 12 Shags, one Grey Heron, 14 Shelducks, one Peregrine, 13 Whimbrels, one Common Sandpiper, two Black-headed Gulls, four Sand Martins, 28 Swallows, five House Martins, one Robin, 28 Wheatears, nine Sedge Warblers, one Lesser Whitethroat, four Common Whitethroats, five Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, seven Willow Warblers, three Goldcrests, 13 Spotted Flycatchers, two Great Tits, two Canada Geese, one Greylag Goose and one Tufted Duck.

No ringing took place today due to wind and no moths were caught in the trap after a very windy night.