Gentle south-westerlies held promise today which meant the nets were opened at the obs. Due to the current passage of Meadow Pipits, the triangle of nets in the fields below Cristin was opened and two Meadow Pipits were caught (ringing totals will be at the bottom of the post).

A flock of Goldfinches descended on the garden mid-morning along with four Chaffinches. Later in the afternoon the first Blackcap of the Spring was seen and later caught at Cristin. Hopefully, the first of many...

Male Blackcap caught in the garden

The noisy flock of Starlings remained in the Lowlands all day, 150 were estimated to be in the flock, this flock size has been fluctuating with each passing day suggesting birds are passing through the island.

Ragged Robin is starting to flower at Nant

A few of the Starlings in the Wetlands

A Wheatear on the Narrows was the only one of the day, it won't be long before the residents are back and others are passing through in force, for now though, we have the early trickle. As well as this, the first Puffins were seen on the sea at the North End.

Glaucous Gull hybrid

The star bird of the day was the Glaucous Gull hybrid that continues to stick to Pen Cristin and Henllwyn. It was seen at quite close range today although it was flighty and covered a considerable distance was flushed. 

The afternoon was spent getting the south side of the Observatory ready for guests who are coming in just a couple of weeks. So it has been a case of scrubbing the walls and doing some touch-ups with paint.

Birds today: one Grey Heron, five Teal, one Merlin, one Whimbrel, one Curlew, three Redshanks, one Turnstone, 23 Guillemots, 68 Razorbills, two Puffins, 58 Meadow Pipits, 14 Chiffchaffs, one Robin, one Wheatear, one Blackcap, 23 Choughs, 150 Starlings, 14 Siskins, four Chaffinches, 28 Goldfinches, one Linnet.

Ringing Totals: Chaffinch 1, Meadow Pipit 2, Goldfinch 2, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 12, Wren 1 (2), Chiffchaff 11, Great Tit (1), Blackbird 1.