18th April 2009 - bright and sunny NE4/3/2/1
Offshore
Clearer conditions than of late and morning observations (0800-0900) produced 150 Sandwich Tern, 23 Gannet, 17 Common Scoter, 12 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 dark phase Arctic Skua and single Shag and Great Northern Diver.
Grounded Migrants
At last the wind relented and despite the bright conditions grounded migrants provided variety if not quantity with 17 Wheatear, 15 Willow Warbler, 8 White Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff and single Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
Steady passage through the morning produced 210 Meadow Pipit, 50 Swallow, 20 Linnet, 9 Goldfinch, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin and a Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A late Whooper Swan dropped in and waders included 3 Whimbrel - the first of the year and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Both Short-eared Owl and Merlin were logged.
Image
Adult Whooper Swan.
