Early this morning we finished the first whole island Common Bird Census (CBC) of the year, with three more left to carry out before the end of June. There was some speculation that Wrens (one of the island's most common breeding) had taken a beating after the harsh winter, and while it may be a little too early to tell, the 91 singing males logged across the island might suggest otherwise.

Birds logged on a quieter day than yesterday included four Fulmars, a Gannet, two Cormorants, 22 Shags, a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine, six Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, two Turnstones, two Sand Martins, four Swallows, a House Martin, a Tree Pipit, a Black Redstart, a Stonechat, five Wheatears, a Grasshopper Warbler, two Blackcaps, 13 Chiffchaffs, six Willow Warblers, five Goldcrests, a Firecrest, a Rook, two Chaffinches, ten Goldfinches and 32 Linnets.

The Turnstones are looking stunning at the moment.

Common Dog-violet can be found flowering across the island at the moment, from the trackside verges to the steep slopes of the east side.