First Wheatear finally arrives!

27th March 2013 – overcast/snow showers NE3
Offshore
A check over only produced a single Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
The first Wheatear has arrived (26th) and grounded birds today involved 25 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit struggled through.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret, 20 Twite and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A Chaffinch ringed on the island on 28th October 2008 was recovered at Schoonrewoerd, Zuid-Holland, THE NETHERLANDS (603km ESE) on 18th March 2012. A total of 49 birds of 8 species were ringed during the month. Individual totals were Blackbird (19), Goldfinch (15), Chaffinch (5), Robin (5), Song Thrush (2), Goldcrest (1), Reed Bunting (1), Greenfinch (1).

Spoonbill rewards the hardy!

21st March 2013 – sunny spells/cold E5/6
Rarities
A Spoonbill battled eastwards into the wind at 1200hrs – the earliest date this species has ever been recorded on the island.
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning (0900-0930) produced the first Sandwich Tern of the year along with 16 Kittiwake and single Red-throated Diver, Razorbill and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidence by a single Blackbird.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 36 Whooper Swan headed north in the evening and a trickle of Meadow Pipit struggled in off the sea
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance, both Peregrine and Barn Owl were logged and several Little Egret remain.

First Goldcrest arrive

17th March 2013 – sunny spells and showers S2
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 6 Shoveler and a Black-tailed Godwit were logged.
Grounded Migrants
The first Goldcrest of the spring arrived – two weeks later than 2012.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Little Egret were along the eastern shore and 21 Twite were recorded.
Ringing
The Little Egrets included a bird colour-ringed as a nestling in North Wales in 2012.

Sedge Warbler to France

17th March 2013 – sunny spells and showers S2
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 123 pale-bellied and 5 dark-bellied birds while waders included 300 Knot and 120 Grey Plover.
Grounded Migrants
A few Blackbird appeared to be mainly leftovers from yesterday.
Miscellaneous
At least 4 Little Egret were logged.
Ringing
A Sedge Warbler initially trapped on the island on 23rd April 2011 and later retrapped in breeding habitat on 23rd June 2011 was then controlled at Donges, Loire-Atlantique, FRANCE (750km S) on 15th August 2011.

Blackbirds and Redwings!

16th March 2013 – rain clearing S1
Offshore
A check over the sea early afternoon produced 25 Common Scoter, 12 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 153 pale-bellied and 2 dark-bellied birds Waders included a Black-tailed Godwit.
Grounded Migrants
An early morning influx of thrushes was evident with 20 Blackbird and 4 Redwing logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail were on the move.
Miscellaneous
Several Little Egret and a Merlin were seen.

Blackbird to Sweden

10th March 2013 – overcast/snow showers E6
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 100 pale-bellied birds while 26 Purple Sandpiper were amongst 300 Turnstone.
Grounded Migrants
Another Robin was the only evidence of newly arrived birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was still present and 2 Raven and a Barn Owl were seen.
Ringing
A Blackbird ringed on the island on 21st October 2005 was found dead during the breeding season at Ousang, Ljusdal, Gavleborg, SWEDEN (1440km NE) on 4th June 2012.

Wildfowl and Waders!

9th March 2013 – overcast/rain E4
Offshore
A check over the sea early morning produced 8 Common Scoter and 2 Shag but little else of note.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 117 pale-bellied birds while 16 Goldeneye and 4 Scaup were logged. Waders included 4 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Grounded Migrants
A Robin was the only evidence of newly arrived birds.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was logged and at least 6 Little Egret were seen. A group of 21 Twite were recorded.

Goldfinch to France

2nd March 2013 – sunny spells NNE1/2
Offshore
A check of the calm sea early morning produced 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Red-throated Diver, 10 Common Scoter, 4 Razorbill and a Guillemot.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 160 pale-bellied birds, while waders included 2500 Knot.
Grounded Migrants
A single Snow Bunting was perhaps on the move.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 2 Raven remain and at least 5 Little Egret were logged.
Moths
The first moth of the year finally appeared in the moth trap – an Oak Beauty, just the third island record.
Ringing
The Goldfinch colour-ringing project which began in 2012 produced it first continental recovery with a bird observed in a garden near Calais, FRANCE.