8th May 2012 – sunshine and showers S2
Offshore
A check over the sea (0800-0900) provided variety rather than quantity with 86 Common Scoter, 35 Gannet, 35 Kittiwake, 14 Guillemot, 10 Sandwich Tern, 6 Manx Shearwater, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Razorbill and single Arctic Tern, Little Tern and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear numbers increased with 76 birds logged otherwise obvious migrants were limited to 3 Willow Warbler and a Redstart. However, a further influx of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat were noted at breeding localities.
Diurnal Migration
Swallows were again on the move with passage through the morning totalling at least 500 birds, also seen were 2 Sand Martin 2 House Martin and a Lesser Redpoll.
Wildfowl and Waders
A recently ploughed field attracted 160 Ringed Plover and 100 Dunlin while 102 Whimbrel were logged.
Ringing
The origins of the colour-ringed Dunlin found on 4th May 2012 have been confirmed, it was ringed at Brito Saltpans, Alcochete, Tagus Estuary, PORTUGAL on 2nd February 2009 (1800km S). Also a colour-ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull holding territory on the island on the same date was ringed at Stoke Orchard Landfill Site, Gloucestershire on 4th December 2004 (251km SSE).
