A warm and settled day with a gentle north‑easterly breeze force two and a slight sea state. Visibility remained very good throughout and temperatures reached 16°C, giving the island its first real taste of spring. 

Grey Seal numbers saw 63 hauled out at Solfach, five at Henllwyn and four elsewhere giving a total of 72 around the coast. Two butterflies were active in the sunshine, with a single Small Tortoiseshell and the first Peacock of the year seen at Cristin.

A quieter sea today although two Gannets passed, one off the South End and one off the Narrows. Four Shags were logged between the South End and Henllwyn, along with a single Cormorant at the South End. Wildfowl included a Brent Goose fund by Gareth, that moved from Henllwyn to Solfach, five Shelducks split between Henllwyn and Solfach, and the pair of Gadwall at Henllwyn. A single female Teal was on Pwll Cristin and seven Mallards were distributed between Solfach, the Wetlands, the Withies and Pwll Cristin.

Brent Goose © Gareth Roberts

Waders were again lightly represented. One Whimbrel was on the South End and a single Curlew fed at Henllwyn. A lone Redshank was around the Narrows. Oystercatchers remained numerous with 133 across the island, including 53 at Henllwyn, 42 around the Narrows and 38 at the South End.

Herring Gull numbers totalled 55, with 48 at the Narrows, three on the South End and four at Henllwyn. Nine Great Black‑backed Gulls were logged, six at the Narrows and three on the South End. F

Passerines were far livelier today. Meadow Pipits increased to 102 across the island including 60 around the South End and 23 over the Narrows. Four Rock Pipits were logged between the South End and Solfach. Pied Wagtails reached 17, with 16 around the Narrows and one on the South End. One White Wagtail, the first of the year, was also present on the Narrows.

Wrens remained widespread but in low numbers with 16 across the island, and Dunnocks numbered just four and Robins increased to five. Stonechats were active again, with six including two pairs on the Wetlands and single males at the South End and the Lowlands. Four Wheatears were logged, two males and one female on the South End and one male around the Narrows.

Warblers included two male Blackcaps, one at Cristin and one at the South End. Chiffchaffs totalled six with birds in the Withies, on the West Coast and at Cristin. Goldcrests were more numerous, with 12 across the island including six at Cristin.

Blackcap - the first one trapped this year © Steven Stansfield

Chiffchaff © Steven Stansfield

A single Blackbird remained around Cristin. Choughs totalled ten with eight around the Narrows. Sixteen Carrion Crows were also present between the Narrows and the South End. A lone Raven drifted across the Mountain mid‑morning, his partner presumably on eggs somewhere.

Finches included two Chaffinches, four Siskins, 14 Linnets including 11 around the South End and two Lesser Redpolls at the South End. 

The highlight of the day however was Yellowhammer seen on the South End during morning census. This former commons breeder is now a mega rarity on the island.

The male Reed Bunting also moved from the withies to the South End.

Reed Bunting © Ezra Sherwell