First Swift flies through

30th April 2016 – sunny spells and wintery showers WNW4/3
Offshore
Early morning observations on the falling tide (0645-0745) produced 33 Kittiwake, 28 Common Scoter, 18 Gannet, 17 Manx Shearwater, 16 Sandwich Tern, 7 Guillemot, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and single Red-throated Diver and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear were the only evidence of newly grounded birds.
Diurnal Migration
Surprisingly, considering the continued cold northerly wind the first Swift of the year flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 750 Dunlin, 260 Golden Plover, 80 Whimbrel and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Breeding Birds
Despite of the wind being in the north all week the number of Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler in breeding haunts continues to rise slowly.
Ringing
The ringing total for April was dominated by finches with relatively few warblers amongst the total of 280 birds of 17 species handled. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets): Goldfinch 54 (34), Linnet 37 (31), Goldcrest 18 (3), Willow Warbler 15, Chiffchaff 10, Chaffinch 7 (3), Blackcap 5, Greenfinch 5 (11), Robin 4, Siskin 4, Reed Bunting 3 (18), Blackbird 1 (5), Wren 1 (4), Dunnock 1 (3), Redstart 1, Sparrowhawk 1 and House Sparrow (1).
Butterflies
The first Speckled Wood and Orange Tip are now on the wing.

First Manx Shearwaters appear offshore

26th April 2016 sunny spells and wintery showers NNW3/4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide (1515-1615) produced the first Manx Shearwaters of the year along with 100 Kittiwake, 10 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 5 Razorbill, 2 Common Scoter and single Red-throated Diver and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The cold northerly wind continues to block migration with only a single Wheatear logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 260 Golden Plover, 200 Turnstone and 5 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Another Harbour Porpoise appeared offshore.

First Little Terns arrive

24th April 2016 – overcast/showers NNW1/2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0800-0900) produced the first 3 Little Terns of the year along with 100 Sandwich Tern, 90 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 8 Red-throated Diver, 3 Kittiwake and 3 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Very little on offer due to the cold northerly airstream with just 4 Wheatear, 4 Willow Warbler and a White Wagtail logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 11 Whimbrel, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin were the best of the rest.

Warblers arrive at breeding haunts

23rd April 2016 – bright and sunny V2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of grounded birds included: 27 Wheatear, 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff..
Diurnal Migration
Small numbers of Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Good numbers of waders were around the island including 25000 Knot, 1150 Dunlin, 380 Sanderling, 160 Golden Plover, 120 Turnstone, 70 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.
Breeding Birds
Low numbers of Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler are now ensconced in breeding haunts on the island.

Black Redstart

22nd April 2016 – sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
Small numbers of Sandwich Tern were again offshore.
Grounded Migrants
Highlight of the day was a male Black Redstart. Also seen were 13 Wheatear, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and single Lesser Whitethroat and White Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Just 6 pale-bellied Brent Geese were logged.
Breeding Birds
The first Lapwing chicks have now hatched.
Ringing
Recent controls involve both Greenfinch and Linnet.

First Common Sandpiper arrives

21st April 2016 bright and sunny V2
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern fed offshore in the evening.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear numbers begin to build with 44 birds logged, otherwise it was quiet with new arrivals limited to 5 White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap and 2 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Common Sandpiper of the year was logged and 8 Black-tailed Godwit remain.
Miscellaneous
Small numbers of Little Egret remain and additional sightings included Merlin and Peregrine.

Clear skies

19th April 2016 bright and sunny WNW2
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern were offshore in the evening.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 10 Wheatear and single Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Moths
Early Grey and Hebrew Character were added to the somewhat paltry year list. Immigrants were represented by another Dark Sword Grass.
Local News
The island was eclipsed by a Marsh Harrier hunting over Mere Tarn and an Osprey fishing Poaka Beck Reservoir in the evening.

Whimbrel begin to build early

17th April 2016 – bright and sunny WNW2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0715-0815) produced 300 Common Scoter, 38 Sandwich Tern, 25 Gannet, 14 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
The clear skies did not induce many birds to make landfall with just 7 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
The Swallow trickle continues.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 11 Whimbrel and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.
Butterflies
The first Small White was on the wing.

When the north wind blows!!

16th April 2016 – overcast/sunny later N2/3/4
Offshore
Small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were offshore early morning.
Grounded Migrants
The cold north wind subdued migration with just 4 Chiffchaff and 4 Wheatear logged.
Diurnal Migration
A further trickle of Swallow, Sand Martin and Siskin was evident.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Black-tailed Godwit remain.
Mammals
Three Harbour Porpoise were offshore.

First Whimbrel and Lesser Whitethroat arrive

15th April 2016 – overcast NW1/2
Offshore
Sandwich Terns remain prominent offshore.
Grounded Migrants
A female Ring Ouzel was recorded along with 9 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Wheatear and single Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Six Siskin were logged amongst a further trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first 4 Whimbrel of the year were logged along with 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Little Owl and Merlin were the best of the rest.

Further trickle of migrants

14th April 2016 sunny spells V1/2
Offshore
A flock of 20 Sandwich Tern again fed offshore in the evening.
Diurnal Migration
A few Sand Martin and Swallow were recorded.
Grounded Migrants
A slight increae in the number of grounded birds with 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcap and 3 Wheatear logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 9 Black-tailed Godwit were logged.
Miscellaneous
At least 16 Little Egret remain in evidence along the eastern shore and a Merlin was also recorded.
Moths
The light trap attracted 3 Dark Sword-grass.

Ring Ouzels and Redstart

13th April 2016 sunny spells W1/2
Offshore
A flock of 20 Sandwich Tern fed offshore in the evening.
Diurnal Migration
A few Sand Martin and Swallow were recorded.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings were led by two Ring Ouzels (male & female) and a male Redstart, also seen were 10 Goldcrest, 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and a Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 3 Greenshank continue to linger.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets remain in evidence along the eastern shore.

Ouzels and Pipits

12th April 2016 overcast/rain early and late W1
Rarities
At least two Water Pipit were again in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane.
Offshore
A flock of 80 Sandwich Tern were the best on offer.
Diurnal Migration
Five Sand Martin were recorded.
Grounded Migrants
Sightings were led by 3 male Ring Ouzels, also seen were 4 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and a Blackcap.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 15000 Knot were logged.
Miscellaneous
Little Egrets remain in evidence along the eastern shore.

Water Pipits continue to linger

10th April 2016 – sunny spells E4
Rarities
At least two Water Pipit were again in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane.
Offshore
Sightings over the sea were dominated by Sandwich Tern with 150 birds recorded. Also seen were 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet, 3 Shag and 3 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A few grounded birds were again in evidence with 10 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler and 2 White Wagtail
Diurnal Migration
A total of 100 Pink-footed Geese headed north in two skeins. Additional sightings included 2 Siskin, 2 Sand Martin and a House Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 150 pale-bellied birds and waders included 6000 Knot, 2 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

Water Pipits remain

9th April 2016 – sunny spells W1/2
Rarities
There are now three summer plumaged Water Pipits in the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane.
Offshore
The sea revealed small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter, Sandwich Tern, Gannet and Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A few more birds than of late with 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest and a Redwing were recorded.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 330 Pink-footed Geese headed north. Also seen were 50 Meadow Pipit, 5 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and a Siskin
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 185 pale-bellied birds and waders included 700 Golden Plover, 17 Purple Sandpiper amongst 330 Turnstone and 8 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow accepted treats from picnickers while a Little Owl and at least 7 Twite were recorded.

Water Pipits reappear

8th April 2016 – sunny spells SW2
Rarities
The latest round of high tides again flushed 2 Water Pipits from the island’s saltmarshes and into the flooded horse paddocks along Carr Lane. Both birds are now attaining summer plumage.
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 40 Kittiwake, 10 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Gannet prior to an evening gathering of 200 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Again limited fare was on offer with just 4 Goldcrest and single Wheatear and Chiffchaff recorded.
Diurnal Migration
The first House Martin of the year was amongst a trickle of Swallow and Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 192 pale-bellied birds and waders included 2000 Knot, 760 Golden Plover and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Moths
A Chamomile Shark increased the years meagre moth list.

Further low key migration

7th April 2016 – bright and sunny W5/6
Grounded Migrants
Another smattering involved 3 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff and single Goldcrest and Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A Swallow of the year flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 5 Shoveler were logged along with 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin stalked Meadow Pipits and Skylarks.

Evening seawatch

6th April 2016 – heavy blustery showers WSW5/6
Offshore
An evening seawatch (1515-1615) revealed 29 Kittiwake, 20 Common Scoter, 13 Gannet and a Sandwich Tern.
Miscellaneous
A Raven was the best of the rest.

More low key migration

5th April 2016 – sunny spells/showers SW3/4
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of migrants included 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 3 Goldeneye and 2 Barnacle Geese remain. A Black-tailed Godwit was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 20 Twite remain.

Migration Stalls

4th April 2016 – early rain then sunny spells SW2/3
Grounded Migrants
Only 2 Goldcrest provided obvious evidene of migration.
Miscellaneous
At least 32 Little Egret remain.

Spring begins to gain momentum

3rd April 2016 – overcast/sunny spells later SSE2
Offshore
A quick check of the sea (0930-0945) produced 60 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
The first Willow Warbler and Blackcap of the year were amongst 9 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff and 5 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
The first Swallow of the year flew through along with 5 Twite, 3 Lesser Redpoll and single Siskin and Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 8 Whooper Swan were recorded and waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 40 birds and at least 36 Little Egret are still in residence.

Rain stopped play

2nd April 2016 – overcast rain soon SSE3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) produced 112 Common Scoter, 34 Sandwich Tern, 8 Red-throated Diver, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Gannet and single Guillemot and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Goldcrest.