Still more cleaning and scrubbing continues in the Lodge. Lynda had scrubbed all the pans, pots, crockery and cutlery and glassware to an inch of their lives, all shining and clean for our first guests on 4th April. 

Ezra and I continued cleaning and scrubbing walls and carpets, windows and doors and made a start on cleaning the ringing hut. 

The new plinth for the mixer tap in the washroom is now painted and drying in the tool shed, whist the tap sort of gently dangles over the edge of the sink!

New base for the washroom tap

not quite finished!

Again a fresh south‑westerly wind force four to five pushed across the island throughout the day, with a moderate sea state and murky visibility. A little light rain in the morning added to the damp feel, though conditions improved slightly later on. 

Despite the breezy conditions, there was enough movement and life around the island to keep the day interesting. Overnight a single Manx Shearwater, the first of the year,  was heard calling over the Narrows. Morning checks on the South End produced a Great Northern Diver passing at sea, along with a single Fulmar and one Gannet. Seven Shags were scattered between the South End, Carreg yr Henllwyn and the West Coast. Two Cormorants were also noted, one at Henllwyn and another off the West Coast.

Wildfowl were thinly spread, although a pair of Teal remained on Pwll Gareth, with seven Mallards across Solfach, the wetlands and the Withies, and two Shelducks loafing around Henllwyn still.

A single adult male Sparrowhawk and an immature male were seen around the Observatory, while four Moorhens were logged across Cristin, Tŷ Pellaf Pond, Gareth's Pond and the Lime Kiln Pond. Waders were also thinly distributed, with Dunlin numbering two at Henllwyn where they were flushed after dark. Oystercatchers totalled 187, including one 163 at Henllwyn, 19 on the South End and five on Solfach. Single Curlew and a lone Redshank were logged, with three Turnstones at Solfach.

Gulls were present in small numbers. Herring Gulls totalled 111, with around eighty at the Narrows and 31 at Henllwyn. Lesser Black‑backed Gulls numbered eight, all around the Narrows. Four Great Black‑backed Gulls were present, split between Henllwyn and the Narrows. 

Passerines were unsurprisingly quiet in the brisk breeze. One Skylark was logged on the South End, while eighteen Meadow Pipits were scattered across the island. Four Rock Pipits were found, three at Henllwyn and one at Solfach. Five Pied Wagtails were counted between the South End, Narrows and Solfach.

A single Robin was in the Withies, accompanied by two Dunnocks at the Wetlands. Three Blackbirds were present with singles at Cristin, the School and the Withies. Three Stonechats included a pair at the South End and one at the Wetlands. Chiffchaffs totalled five, with birds at the Wetlands, Green Lane, the Observatory and the Mountain. A lone Goldcrest was seen at the Observatory.

Up to 16 Magpies were again scattered in the Withies and along the West Coast and Narrows. Nine Choughs ranged between the South End, Narrows and West Coast. Ten Carrion Crows were seen around the Narrows. Two Starlings were at the Narrows, while a single Linnet was also recorded there.

Marine mammals were well represented, with just 57 Grey Seals hauled out at Solfach and two elsewhere, with the one very late 3 week old seal pup still present at Solfach.

Seal Pup and mum from a couple of days ago - Gareth Roberts

Although migration was quiet overall, it felt as though the island was on the cusp of change. As the wind begins to ease and shift, we may yet see the first real pulse of spring migrants arriving in the coming days.