29th April 2024 – overcast SSE4/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0645-0845) produced 610 Common Scoter, 285 Sandwich Tern, 39 Red-throated Diver, 29 Guillemot, 28 Gannet, 16 Little Tern, 9 Razorbill, 8 Kittiwake, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow was still present.
Breeding Birds
There was a noticeable influx in the number of Sedge Warbler holding territory on the island.
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.
