27th April 2024 – bright and sunny E2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) provided 188 Common Scoter, 170 Sandwich Tern, 9 Little Tern, 8 Red-throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and an Arctic Tern.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow was still present.
Breeding Birds
The number of warblers holding territory on the island continues to increase slowly with 17 Lesser Whitethroat at 10 sites and 10 Grasshopper Warbler across 6 sites.
26th April 2024 – bright and sunny NE2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) revealed 126 Common Scoter, 27 Sandwich Tern, 16 Little Tern, 9 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 4 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Hooded Crow flew through along with 240 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Lesser Redpoll and a trickle of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included Greenshank and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow was still present and the Cetti’s Warbler continues to hold territory.
Butterflies and Moths
Orange Tip was the top species with 12 males seen.
24th April 2024 – bright and sunny NNE1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced just 35 Sandwich Tern, 20 Guillemot, 12 Gannet, 10 Shag, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Common Scoter, 4 Little Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 7 Wheatear, 4 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Two Lesser Redpoll and a Tree Sparrow flew through – the latter the first of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 361 light-bellied birds and waders included 42 Whimbrel.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Brimstone is now on the wing.
23rd April 2024 – bright and sunny N1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced just 144 Common Scoter, 38 Sandwich Tern, 13 Gannet, 2 Little Tern and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
A Whinchat was amongst 32 Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Four Whooper Swan headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 140 light-bellied birds and waders included 60 Sanderling and 2 Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
Vulnerable ground nesting birds on the island are now incubating eggs.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
22nd April 2024 – early showers the sunny spells WNW2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 485 Common Scoter, 50 Sandwich Tern, 12 Red-throated Diver, 8 Gannet, 8 Guillemot and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Chiffchaff.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 45 light-bellied birds and waders included 8 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and single Short-eared Owl and Merlin were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Green-veined White was on the wing.
21st April 2024 – overcast E1/2
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 7 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and single Fieldfare and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A further 220 Pink-footed headed north and a few Sand Martin and a Stock Dove also trickled through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
20th April 2024 –sunny spells ESE1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) revealed 100 Common Scoter, 40 Sandwich Tern, 7 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Guillemot and 5 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
The first Cuckoo and Whinchat of the year were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A further 1540 Pink-footed Geese and 30 Whooper Swan headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
A singing Cetti’s Warbler was the first to hold territory on the island.
19th April 2024 – overcast/showers then sunny spells NW4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0800-0900) provided 83 Sandwich Tern, 18 Common Scoter, 15 Gannet, 12 Kittiwake, 10 Guillemot, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar, 2 Goosander and a Little Tern – the latter the first of the year.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 42 light-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
18th April 2024 – bright start/rain later SE1/2 then WSW3/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0730) produced 71 Sandwich Tern, 23 Common Scoter, 13 Red-throated Diver, 8 Guillemot, 4 Gannet and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 11 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 White Wagtail
Diurnal Migration
Early morning Pink-footed Goose passage was spectacular with a total of 10095 birds recorded as they took advantage of the break in the weather and headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 19 Whimbrel and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and two additional birds were seen.
Breeding Birds
Skylark and Lapwing were displaying in the early morning sunshine.
17th April 2024 – bright and sunny NW3/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 24 Sandwich Tern, 12 Red-throated Diver, 12 Guillemot, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag, 4 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Light movement provided 10 Blackcap, 8 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 White Wagtail and single Grasshopper Warbler, Goldcrest and Redstart – the latter the first of the year
Diurnal Migration
Single Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Tree Pipit flew through – the latter the first of the year
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 55 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a second bird was seen.
Breeding Birds
Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat have returned to breeding habitat.
16th April 2024 – bright and sunny/showers NW3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 75 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Scoter, 21 Red-throated Diver, 6 Kittiwake, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Gannet and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 4 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
The first ground-nesting birds are now sitting on eggs.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Orange Tip and Large White was on the wing.
15th April 2024 – sun and heavy showers WNW5/8
Offshore
Observations over a wild sea (0700-0900) produced 76 Common Scoter, 26 Kittiwake, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Arctic Skua – the latter the first of the year.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and after 40 consecutive days of rain even the House Sparrows have resorted to wearing ponchos!
14th April 2024 – sun and showers W3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0630-0830) produced 357 Common Scoter, 152 Kittiwake, 52 Sandwich Tern, 17 Gannet, 9 Red-throated Diver and single Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Shag and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Slightly more birds were in evidence with 26 Wheatear, 4 White Wagtail, 5 Willow Warbler and 4 Blackcap seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
Warblers are now beginning to return to breeding habitat in reasonable numbers with 32 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 3 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler recorded – the latter two the first of the year.
Mammals
A Roe Deer was seen.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Speckled Wood was on the wing.
12th April 2024 – overcast/mizzle clearing SW3/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) were dominated by 1050 Common Scoter while 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and a Sandwich Tern were also logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
11th April 2024 – hazy sun/rain later SW3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 750 Common Scoter, 150 Kittiwake, 62 Gannet, 17 Red-throated Diver, 11 Shag, 3 Sandwich Tern and a Manx Sheareater.
Grounded Migrants
Although 23 Wheatear were logged passage remained slow with additional sightings limited to 4 Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 545 light-bellied birds and waders included 1845 Oystercatcher, 960 Redshank, 680 Golden Plover, 542 Dunlin, 339 Curlew, 256 Turnstone, 165 Knot, 130 Sanderling, 102 Grey Plover, 90 Ringed Plover, 72 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank and a Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and two Water Pipit appeared on the rising tide.
10th April 2024 – overcast/rain soon SSE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) produced 530 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, 9 Kittiwake, 8 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining slow with sightings limited to 5 Wheatear and single Fieldfare and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 1190 Pink-footed Geese and 9 Whooper Swan headed north.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
8th April 2024 – showers SE1/2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 820 Common Scoter along with 10 Kittiwake, 9 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining slow with sightings limited to 3 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 320 Pink-footed Geese headed north and a few Swallows continue to trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 531 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Small White and Red Admiral were on the wing and the moth trap attracted a Clouded Drab.
7th April 2024 –showers S4/8
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 315 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Sandwich Tern and 2 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 3 Wheatear and single White Wagtail and Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Three Swallow and 2 House Martin flew through – the latter the first of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 500 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
6th April 2024 – sun and showers SE5/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 206 Common Scoter, 33 Teal, 13 Sandwich Tern, 10 Wigeon, 7 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Gannet, 3 Guillemot and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 10 White Wagtail, 5 Wheatear, 3 Redwing, 2 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Four Swallow flew through – the first of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 508 light-bellied birds and waders included 4 Jack Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and single Whimbrel and Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
At least 8 Water Pipit reappeared on the latest round of high tides, all of which are now attaining summer plumage. The Hooded Crow and Cetti’s Warbler both remain.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Peacock of the year was on the wing.
5th April 2024 – overcast/mizzle/murk S3/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) produced 78 Common Scoter, 48 Sandwich Tern, 22 Gannet, 7 Guillemot, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Shoveler and a Shag.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 16 Twite and a Merlin were logged and the Hooded Crow remains.
Breeding Birds
Blackcap and Willow Warbler are now on territory in breeding areas.
4th April 2024 – overcast NE1/2
Offshore
A check of the relatively calm sea (0700-0800) produced 82 Common Scoter, 70 Sandwich Tern, 17 Razorbill, 17 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 3 Shag and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to single Redwing, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 60 Twite was logged and the Hooded Crow remains.
2nd April 2024 – early rain clearing/calm
Offshore
A check of the calm sea (0715-0815) produced 115 Common Scoter, 32 Sandwich Tern, 30 Red-throated Diver, 12 Shag, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Totals involved 11 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and single Redwing and Fieldfare.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 45 Twite was logged and the Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore.
1st April 2024 – overcast/rain ENE3/5
Offshore
A check of the sea (0730-0830) produced 184 Common Scoter, 13 Sandwich Tern, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemot, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Little Gull.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Siskin.
