An influx of Sandwich Terns

31st March 2022 – bright and frosty NNE4
Offshore
Observations over the sea on the rising tide (0730-0930) produced an influx of Sandwich Tern with 205 birds logged. Also seen were 86 Common Scoter, 36 Razorbill, 12 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Gannet and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 310 light-bellied birds and waders included 400 Golden Plover
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.

Velvet Scoters

30th March 2022 – overcast/rain/sleet then showers NE4/5
Offshore
A check of the sea as the weather relented (1000-1100) was highlighted by 3 Velvet Scoter heading into the bay. Also seen were 41 Common Scoter, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Razorbill, 5 Sandwich Tern and single Gannet and Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 200 light-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.

First Willow Warbler arrives

29th March 2022 – overcast/murky then sun and showers NE1
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Razorbill, 3 Sandwich Tern and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 24 Redwing and 9 Fieldfare. Also seen were 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and single Blackcap and Willow Warbler – the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Three Lesser Redpoll were amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and a Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were offshore.

Ring Ouzel drops in

28th March 2022 – overcast/early drizzle/murky/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 10 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Shag and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 48 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare and the first Ring Ouzel of the year. Also seen were 5 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 40 Pink-footed Geese headed north and 7 Lesser Redpoll and 3 Siskin were amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
A Raven was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The moth trap attracted 37 moths of 8 species including Clouded Drab, Red Chestnut and Hebrew Character.

Brambling and Stock Dove

27th March 2022 – hazy sun E1
Offshore
The habitual check of the sea revealed 10 Common Scoter, 7 Sandwich Tern, 5 Shag, 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Just singles of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Redwing and Mistle Thrush were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Single Brambling and Stock Dove were both new for the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 95 pale-bellied Brent Geese were recorded and 5 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Butterflies and Moths
Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell are still relishing the spring sunshine while new attractions to the moth trap were Small Quaker and Brindled Pug.

Redwing head east

26th March 2022 – hazy sun /calm
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 8 Common Scoter, 7 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A slightly improved selection than of late with 40 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest and single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare and Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 40 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Siskin flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.

Even more low-key migration

25th March 2022 – hazy sun E1
Offshore
A check of the sea (0700-0800) revealed 13 Shag, 12 Sandwich Tern, 8 Red-throated Diver and 8 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Only 2 Goldcrest were newly arrived
Diurnal Migration
Four Lesser Redpoll and a Tree Sparrow flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Raven was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
Early Grey was new for the year.

More low-key migration

24th March 2022 – sunny spells/haze E1
Offshore
Low visibility over the sea produced just 4 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver
Grounded Migrants
Just 8 Goldcrest and single Fieldfare and Chiffchaff were logged
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 50 Pink-footed Geese headed north and 4 Siskin and single Lesser Redpoll and Tree Sparrow were amongst a trickle Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A Red Sword-grass was new for the year.

Low key migration

23rd March 2022 – hazy sun/murky E2
Grounded Migrants
Just 2 Fieldfare and a Goldcrest were logged
Diurnal Migration
A total of 33 Whooper Swan headed north and 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Siskin and a Grey Wagtail were amongst 110 Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 50 light-bellied Brent Geese were seen and 2 Pintail and 2 Shoveler still remain.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence.
Butterflies and Moths
Both Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock are now on the wing and attractions to the moth trap involved 3 Common Quaker and an Early Thorn – the latter the first of the year.

First Blackcap arrives

22nd March 2022 – hazy sun/murky E2
Offshore
A check of the sea in murky conditions (0700-0800) revealed just 10 Common Scoter and 3 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Just 4 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and singles of Wheatear and Blackcap were logged, though the latter was the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
A Grey Wagtail was amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Moths
Common Quaker and Dotted Border were the only attractions.

First Lesser Redpoll begin to move through

21st March 2022 – hazy sun ESE1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 2 Sandwich Tern and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Just single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 500 Pink-footed Geese flew north and 2 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll were amongst 20 Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two drake Shoveler and a pair of Pintail were seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.

Water Pipit back on show

20th March 2022 – bright and sunny E4/5
Rarities
At least one Water Pipit was again feeding in the flooded fields in the vicinity of Biggar at high tide
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) revealed just 24 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a Sandwich Tern.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 24 Whooper Swan flew north and 3 Siskin were amongst 65 Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 4 Jay were the best of the rest while Skylark have are now back onto territories.

Red Kite double

19th March 2022 – bright and sunny E4
Rarities
A couple of Red Kite drifted over the island mid-morning.
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed just 20 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 13 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Flocks of 13 Whooper Swan and 45 Pink-footed Geese flew through and 2 Siskin were amongst 100 Pied Wagtail and 20 Meadow Pipit.

Scaup and Whooper Swans

18th March 2022 – bright and sunny/calm the SE2
Offshore
A quick scan of the sea revealed just 3 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Goldcrest and Chiffchaff
Diurnal Migration
Flocks of 22 Whooper Swan and 14 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was the best of the rest.

First Sandwich Tern and Arctic Skua

17th March 2022 – sun and showers SW4/5
Offshore
Slightly more activity over the sea (0730-0830) with the first Arctic Skua and Sandwich Tern of the year amongst 135 Common Scoter, 17 Kittiwake, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Red-throated Diver and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 216 pale-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.

A few more spring arrivals

16th March 2022 – overcast/murk/calm, rain soon
Grounded Migrants
Again a few grounded birds were logged including 2 Goldcrest and single Redwing and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residency.

A few more spring arrivals

15th March 2022 – sunny spells SE2
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0800) revealed just 17 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver and 3 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A few grounded birds were noted including 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Three Siskin flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow is still in residence and a Merlin was the best of the rest.
Mammals
Single Harbour Porpoise, Badger and Fox were logged.

First Goldcrest of the spring

14th March 2022 – bright and sunny SSW3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 132 Common Scoter, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Red-throated Diver, 10 Gannet, 8 Kittiwake, 6 Razorbill and 3 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
The first Goldcrest of the spring was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin and 14 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup is still in residence.
Miscellaneous
A Raven was the best of the rest.

More Wheatears and Whooper Swans

13th March 2022 – overcast SE4/5
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 120 Common Scoter, 50 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Red-throated Diver, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Gannet and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 36 Whooper Swan flew north.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and single Merlin and Raven were the best of the rest.

Wheatear and Little Gull

12th March 2022 – overcast/showers clearing S3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 120 Common Scoter, 17 Gannet, 12 Kittiwake, 7 Red-throated Diver and an adult Little Gull.
Grounded Migrants
The first Wheatear of the year arrived amongst a handful of Stonechat.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and waders included 7 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and single Merlin and Barn Owl were the best of the rest.

Pochard surprise

11th March 2022 – overcast SE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 70 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver and a female Pochard – once upon a time a regular visitor to the island, this is the first record for several years.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit struggled through over the sea.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 2 Tree Sparrow were the best of the rest.

First Chiffchaff drops in

10th March 2022 – overcast SE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0730-0830) revealed 101 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver and single Red-breasted Merganser and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
The first Chiffchaff of the year dropped in.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remained the best of the rest.

Another quiet day

9th March 2022 – hazy sunshine SE5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations (0730-0830) again revealed a quiet sea with just 39 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot and single Gannet and Kittiwake logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.

Wildfowl again on the move

8th March 2022 – hazy sunshine ESE4/5/6
Offshore
Early morning observations (0700-0800) revealed a quiet sea with just 21 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver and 5 Red-breasted Merganser logged.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 76 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.

Wildfowl continue to move

7th March 2022 – overcast ESE3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 11 Shag, 11 Common Scoter and 5 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 765 Pink-footed Geese and 43 Whooper Swan headed north.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and a Barn Owl were the best of the rest.

Wildfowl on the move

6th March 2022 – bright and sunny/calm E2/3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed just 12 Common Scoter and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 33 Pink-footed Geese and 8 Whooper Swan headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow was the best of the rest.

Water Pipit remains

5th March 2022 – bright and sunny N1/2/3
Rarities
At least one Water Pipit was amongst 100 Skylark and 12 Rock Pipit feeding in the flooded fields in the vicinity of Biggar at high tide.
Offshore
A Shag was the best the sea could muster.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 110 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and waders included 5 Greenshank
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 4 Tree Sparrow and single Great Spotted Woodpecker, Barn Owl and Merlin were the best of the rest.

Water Pipits remain

4th March 2022 – sunny spells NE1/2
Rarities
At least 2 Water Pipit were amongst 42 Rock Pipit feeding in the flooded fields in the vicinity of Biggar at high tide.
Offshore
Observations over the sea revealed just 23 Great Crested Grebe, 19 Red-breasted Merganser, 16 Common Scoter,10 Shag and 9 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 289 light-bellied birds. Waders included 900 Golden Plover, 65 Snipe, 20 Purple Sandpiper and 4 Greenshank
Miscellaneous
A flock of 55 Twite were logged and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.

Water Pipits reappear

3rd March 2022 – overcast/mist/drizzle E2
Rarities
At least 3 Water Pipit and a Scandinavian Rock Pipit were amongst 45 Rock Pipit feeding in the flooded fields in the vicinity of Biggar at high tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and the Brent Goose flock held 370 light-bellied and 12 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence and 20 Twite were logged.

Common Scoter on the move

2nd March 2022 – overcast/rain soon E3
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 323 Common Scoter, 27 Red-breasted Merganser and 15 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and waders included 17 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 6 Twite were the best of the rest.

Scaup still in residence

1st March 2022 – bright and frosty NE1
Offshore
Observations over the calm sea (0700-0800) revealed just 25 Common Scoter, 17 Red-throated Diver and 12 Red-breasted Merganser amongst 150 Eider.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 90 Pink-footed Geese moved through along with a Siskin.
Grounded Migrants
Ten Redwing were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Scaup remains and waders included 22 Purple Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Single Hooded Crow, Merlin and Barn Owl were the best of the rest.
Moths
A Dotted Border was the first moth of 2022.