31 March 2026 – over/calm then SW1/2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Common Scoter, 5 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver and 3 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A sprinkling of sightings included 2 Chiffchaff and single Ring Ouzel, Mistle Thrush and Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
The first Swallow flew through amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Golden Plover and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 2 Sparrowhawk and a Water Rail.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap attracted the first Dark Swordgrass of the year.
28th March 2026 – bright and sunny/rain later W5/7
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 83 Kittiwake, 37 Gannet, 23 Sandwich Tern, 22 Common Scoter, 7 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 20 Meadow Pipit flew in off the sea.
Ringing
A Greenfinch ringed in the observatory garden on 8th October 2025 was recaught on 21st March 2026 at Sharperton, Northumberland (160km NNE).
27th March 2026 – overcast/rain/drizzle WNW3/4
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed just 4 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included single Redwing, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 20 Twite were the best of the rest.
23rd March 2026 – sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 16 Shag, 10 Sandwich Tern, 8 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Guillemot and single Razorbill and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings included 21 Pied Wagtail, 4 Goldcrest and a Great Tit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 400 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and single Merlin, Peregrine and Short-eared Owl were the best of the rest.
22nd March 2026 – early fog then murk ESE1
Grounded Migrants
Just 6 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 4 Siskin and a Brambling flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 400 Golden Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included a Merlin.
21st March 2026 – early mist then hazy sun V1
Grounded Migrants
Just 4 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 5 Whooper Swan and 2 Siskin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Gadwall and Black-tailed Godwit remain.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 2 Water Pipit.
Butterflies and Moths
Red Swordgrass and Early Thorn were the first of the year.
20th March 2026 – hazy sun SE1
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed the first Arctic Skua of the year along with 41 Common Scoter, 8 Shag and 6 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Goldcrest and a White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 7 Whooper Swan flew through along with 2 Fieldfare and single Grey Wagtail and Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 800 Golden Plover, 10 Purple Sandpiper and single Black-tailed Godwit and Jack Snipe. A Gadwall was also logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Ringing
The first Lesser Redpoll of the year was found to be already ringed and had been previously marked at Lindow Moss, Cheshire on 16th November 2025 (102 km SE).
19th March 2026 – bright and sunny V1
Offshore
Observations over the sea produced 24 Common Scoter, 14 Shag and 6 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 18 Goldcrest, 3 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Fieldfare were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 165 Whooper Swan, 78 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Siskin and a Sand Martin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 394 light-bellied birds and additional wildfowl included 202 Teal, 156 Shelduck, 127 Wigeon, 34 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Goldeneye and 3 Shoveler. Waders included 1423 Oystercatcher, 850 Golden Plover, 560 Redshank, 263 Curlew and 11 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 35 Twite, 2 Water Pipit and a Marsh Harrier while the island’s “woodland” held 65 Coal Tit, 8 Goldcrest and 7 Chiffchaff.
Butterflies and Moths
Red Swordgrass and Early Thorn were the first of the year.
18th March 2026 – warm and sunny after cloudy start ESE1/2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 10,000 Eider, 11 Common Scoter, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 21 Goldcrest was logged, along with 4 Stonechat, 4 Robin, 2 Wheatear and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 42 Woodpigeon flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 800 Golden Plover and 4 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 4 Water Pipit, 40 Twite and a Merlin. The island’s “woodland” added 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest and 3 Coal Tit.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held a Dotted Border, Mottled Grey, Common Quaker and Red Chestnut while the first Brimstone, Peacock and Comma were on the wing.
