Marsh Harrier leads the way

10th May 2009 - early rain then sunny W1
Offshore
The winds of the last few days finally abated overnight but morning observations (0730-0930) saw birds still on the move with 160 Sandwich Tern, 54 Common Scoter, 50 Gannet, 20 Red-throated Diver, 10 Little Tern, 8 Arctic Tern, 2 Guillemot and single pale phase Arctic Skua and Kitiwake logged.
Grounded Migrants
A second wave of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat appeared overnight and other newly arrived birds included 23 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and single Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whinchat.
Diurnal Migration
A female Marsh Harrier was the first of the year and the light winds produced more activity than of late with 140 Swallow, 8 Lesser Redpoll and a Sand Martin recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Lingering wildfowl included single Wigeon and Scaup and a late Purple Sandpiper was amongst a flock of 1000 Knot.