16th April 2012 – bright and sunny ESE1
Offshore
Only a few Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Razorbill were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Although Wheatear increased to 20 birds it was generally quiet otherwise with a supporting cast of just 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few more Meadow Pipit were in evidence with 50 birds logged along with 5 Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 50 pale-bellied birds and 400 Golden Plover were seen.
Butterflies
The first Peacock are now on the wing.
Short-eared Owl
15th April 2012 – bright and sunny NE2/3
Offshore
Again just small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Razorbill, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Although 16 Wheatear were logged sightings otherwise were limited to 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Seven Swallow and a Lesser Redpoll were amongst a further trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl was the highlight of the day.
Butterflies
The first Green-veined White are now on the wing.
Offshore
Again just small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Razorbill, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Although 16 Wheatear were logged sightings otherwise were limited to 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Seven Swallow and a Lesser Redpoll were amongst a further trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl was the highlight of the day.
Butterflies
The first Green-veined White are now on the wing.
Colour-ringed Sanderling
14th April 2012 – bright and sunny NE2/3
Offshore
Small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Birds remain sparse with 4 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler the best that could be mustered.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to 3 Swallow, 2 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 250 Turnstone, 80 Sanderling and 5 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Two Rook were an increasingly rare sight on the island while 2 Short-eared Owl were also logged.
Ringing
Two of the Sanderling mentioned above were colour-ringed and were ringed at Gardskagi, ICELAND on 15th May 2011 and Siglingamerki, Sandgeroi, ICELAND on 19th May 2011.
Offshore
Small numbers of Gannet, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged early morning.
Grounded Migrants
Birds remain sparse with 4 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler the best that could be mustered.
Diurnal Migration
Limited to 3 Swallow, 2 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 250 Turnstone, 80 Sanderling and 5 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
Two Rook were an increasingly rare sight on the island while 2 Short-eared Owl were also logged.
Ringing
Two of the Sanderling mentioned above were colour-ringed and were ringed at Gardskagi, ICELAND on 15th May 2011 and Siglingamerki, Sandgeroi, ICELAND on 19th May 2011.
Swallow and Common Sandpiper
12th April 2012 – overcast then sunny calm then NW3/4
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
A brief overnight respite in the persistent north wind allowed a few summer migrants to filter through. Grounded birds included 12 Willow Warbler, 6 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and a Blackcap with additional Willow Warblers appearing back on territory in traditional breeding localities.
Diurnal Migration
The first 2 Swallow of the year and 2 Sand Martin were amongst 50 Meadow Pipit and a skein of 150 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 35 pale-bellied birds and the long-staying Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain in residence. Waders included the first Common Sandpiper of the year along with 440 Golden Plover and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was again the best of the rest.
Moths and Butterflies
A Red Sword Grass graced the moth trap and the first Small White are now on the wing.
Offshore
A few Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
A brief overnight respite in the persistent north wind allowed a few summer migrants to filter through. Grounded birds included 12 Willow Warbler, 6 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and a Blackcap with additional Willow Warblers appearing back on territory in traditional breeding localities.
Diurnal Migration
The first 2 Swallow of the year and 2 Sand Martin were amongst 50 Meadow Pipit and a skein of 150 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 35 pale-bellied birds and the long-staying Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain in residence. Waders included the first Common Sandpiper of the year along with 440 Golden Plover and 5 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was again the best of the rest.
Moths and Butterflies
A Red Sword Grass graced the moth trap and the first Small White are now on the wing.
First Fulmar of the year
10th April 2012 – sunny spells W5/6
Offshore
Seabirds were again to the fore with morning observations (0825-0925) providing 150 Kittiwake, 115 Gannet, 70 Common Scoter, 46 Razorbill, 22 Red-throated Diver, 22 Sandwich Tern, 7 Fulmar, 2 Guillemot and 2 Red-breasted Merganser logged.
Diurnal Migration
Despite the weather 50 Meadow Pipit flew in off the sea.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Little Egret remain.
Offshore
Seabirds were again to the fore with morning observations (0825-0925) providing 150 Kittiwake, 115 Gannet, 70 Common Scoter, 46 Razorbill, 22 Red-throated Diver, 22 Sandwich Tern, 7 Fulmar, 2 Guillemot and 2 Red-breasted Merganser logged.
Diurnal Migration
Despite the weather 50 Meadow Pipit flew in off the sea.
Miscellaneous
At least 3 Little Egret remain.
WeBS counting
8th April 2012 – overcast/drizzle at times W2/3
Offshore
A flock of 120 Sandwich Tern and a single Red-throated Diver were the only birds of note.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Chiffchaff was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthly WeBS count provided 3780 Oystercatcher, 1252 Eider, 1243 Redshank, 780 Turnstone, 404 Curlew, 400 Golden Plover, 252 Shelduck, 130 Grey Plover, 104 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 90 Sanderling, 62 Knot, 55 Teal, 55 Mallard, 36 Dunlin, 33 Canada Goose, 22 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 16 Wigeon, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Ringed Plover, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Greenshank, 7 Moorhen, 6 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Greylag Goose and single Black-tailed Godwit, Coot, Scaup and Long-tailed Duck.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Offshore
A flock of 120 Sandwich Tern and a single Red-throated Diver were the only birds of note.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Chiffchaff was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthly WeBS count provided 3780 Oystercatcher, 1252 Eider, 1243 Redshank, 780 Turnstone, 404 Curlew, 400 Golden Plover, 252 Shelduck, 130 Grey Plover, 104 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 90 Sanderling, 62 Knot, 55 Teal, 55 Mallard, 36 Dunlin, 33 Canada Goose, 22 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 16 Wigeon, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 12 Ringed Plover, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Greenshank, 7 Moorhen, 6 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Greylag Goose and single Black-tailed Godwit, Coot, Scaup and Long-tailed Duck.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Remaining Quiet
7th April 2012 – overcast V1/2
Offshore
Just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining quiet with just 3 Chiffchaff and single Goldcrest and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 50 pale-bellied birds and 10 Purple Sandpiper were amongst 360 Turnstone.
Images
Purple Sandpiper.
Offshore
Just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Common Scoter and Sandwich Tern were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining quiet with just 3 Chiffchaff and single Goldcrest and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
A few Meadow Pipit were on the move.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 50 pale-bellied birds and 10 Purple Sandpiper were amongst 360 Turnstone.
Images
Purple Sandpiper.
Seabirds on the move
6th April 2012 – overcast WNW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0845-0945) produced 235 Sandwich Tern, 226 Common Scoter, 55 Razorbill, 33 Kittiwake, 31 Gannet, 11 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot and a drake Scaup.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin and 3 Rook were amongst small numbers of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 59 pale-bellied and 6 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least one colour-ringed Little Egret remains.
Offshore
Morning observations (0845-0945) produced 235 Sandwich Tern, 226 Common Scoter, 55 Razorbill, 33 Kittiwake, 31 Gannet, 11 Red-throated Diver, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Guillemot and a drake Scaup.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidenced by a solitary Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin and 3 Rook were amongst small numbers of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 59 pale-bellied and 6 dark-bellied birds.
Miscellaneous
At least one colour-ringed Little Egret remains.
Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain
4th April 2012 – sunny spells NE5/6
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The current block on migration continues with just a single Chiffchaff logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain and the Brent Goose flock held 80 pale-bellied birds. At least one Greenshank remains.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was the best of the rest.
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The current block on migration continues with just a single Chiffchaff logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The female Long-tailed Duck and Scaup remain and the Brent Goose flock held 80 pale-bellied birds. At least one Greenshank remains.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was the best of the rest.
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