A much calmer and sunnier day than yesterday, with a light southerly wind force 2 to 3 and a light sea state. Visibility was great and the day felt more settled and spring-like overall. A single Small Tortoiseshell was also seen at Cristin, one of the first butterflies of the spring seen on the wing.

Glorious day here on the Isle of the Blessed © Steven Stansfield

Nets were erected and opened at Cristin, with six nets set for a few hours during the afternoon for the first time this year. A couple of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were the first birds of the year to make it onto the ringing totals.

One of the first Goldcrests of the year to be trapped - © Steven Stansfield 

Seawatching from the South End produced three Fulmars offshore along with a single Manx Shearwater and modest numbers of auks. Guillemots numbered four, Razorbills 10 and a further 10 auk sp. also moved through. A single Cormorant was on Solfach together with three Shags shared between the South End and Solfach.

Wildfowl included four Shelducks, two each at Solfach and Henllwyn, along with two Teal on Pwll Gareth. Two Mallards remained around the Withies. 

A Red Kite, Merlin and Peregrine were logged, the Merlin, a female hunting over the South End and the Peregrine ranging over the Mountain along with the Kite.

Waders were again spread thinly but interest came from two Whimbrels on the South End. A single Curlew was also in the same area. One Redshank fed at Henllwyn and a lone Turnstone remained on Solfach. Oystercatcher numbers totalled 152, with 66 at Henllwyn, 41 on the South End, 39 around the Narrows and six on Solfach.

A single Great Black‑backed Gull loafed near the South End, with 68 Herring Gulls across the island including 59 at the Narrows. Nineteen Kittiwakes passed offshore.

Woodpigeons totalled 12 with six on the Mountain, five around the Withies and one on the Wetlands. A lone Skylark remained on the South End. Migration picked up slightly compared with yesterday, with Meadow Pipits jumping to 39 and Rock Pipits up to six.

Pied Wagtails increased to 12 with nine around the Narrows and three on the South End. Blackbirds reached four across Cristin and the Withies. Two Wheatears were on the Narrows, the first small arrival of the spring here. Stonechats totalled five with one on the South End and four on the Wetlands.

Warblers were better represented today. Chiffchaffs increased to 12 with five at Cristin and seven in the Withies. A Firecrest was also at Cristin and one was a nice addition. Goldcrests reached six, all around Cristin and the first two male Blackcaps were also present at the Observatory.

Finches were modest but included two Chaffinches, a single Siskin at Cristin and nine Linnets split between Cristin and the South End. A Bullfinch was calling at Cristin continuing a nice run of early spring records, with a couple being seen last March too.

The day’s highlight however came late morning when a group of five Greylag Geese flew north up the west coast. A single Common Crossbill was also seen flying over Cristin. A Reed Bunting was seen in the Withies too.

Choughs numbered just four split between the South End and West Coast while 24 Carrion Crows gathered between the Narrows and the South End. A single Raven drifted over the South End mid‑morning.