30th April 2023 – overcast/rain/fog/calm
Offshore
Only 5 Gannet, 2 Guillemot and a Red-throated Diver emerged from the gloom.
Grounded Migrants
The conditions again conspired to produce another small fall with 24 Wheatear – including the lingering leucistic bird, 10 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 9 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Tree Pipit and Lesser Redpoll were recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a Wood Sandpiper and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.
29th April 2023 – overcast/mist/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) produced 35 Guillemot, 16 Manx Shearwater, 10 Gannet, 7 Arctic Tern, 6 Shag, 5 Arctic Skua, 3 Puffin, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The conditions conspired to produce a small fall with 22 Wheatear, 13 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Fieldfare, 3 Whinchat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and single Chiffchaff, Grasshopper Warbler and Garden Warbler logged – the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Three Tree Pipit were recorded. Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 6 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Butterflies and Moths
The first Green-veined White are now belatedly on the wing and the moth trap held both Streamer and Pale Pinion amongst an influx of Brown Silver-line.
28th April 2023 – overcast/murky/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) produced 760 Common Scoter, 31 Guillemot, 20 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet, 5 Shag, 4 Red-throated Diver and 2 Little Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Single Blackcap and Garden Warbler were amongst 16 Wheatear and 10 Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 12 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a Red-legged Partridge was a surprise.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies included 13 Orange Tip, 2 Comma and a Holly Blue.
27th April 2023 – overcast ESE3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 605 Common Scoter, 142 Sandwich Tern, 25 Guillemot, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Gannet, 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Goosander, 2 Arctic Tern and single Arctic Skua and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 10 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whinchat and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 510 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Knot, 4 Whimbrel and a Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
26th April 2023 – hazy sun ENE2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) produced 1325 Common Scoter, 55 Sandwich Tern, 20 Guillemot, 7 Gannet, 7 Shag, 6 Manx Shearwater and single Arctic Skua, Little Tern and Puffin.
Grounded Migrants
Although numbers had declined Wheatear continue to dominate with 36 birds logged, including the distinctive leucistic bird. Also recorded were 3 Willow Warbler, 2 White Wagtail and single Grasshopper Warbler and Whinchat.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 135 Pink-footed Geese headed north and 3 Lesser Redpoll were amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
A few Teal continue to linger and waders included 85 Golden Plover, 9 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and single Greenshank and Common Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A female Marsh Harrier seen hunting the island at dawn had presumably roosted overnight while the long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was again offshore.
Butterflies and Moths
Butterflies included 4 Orange Tip and a Holly Blue.
25th April 2023 – sunny spells E1
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) produced 140 Common Scoter, 71 Sandwich Tern, 15 Guillemot, 14 Red-throated Diver, 8 Gannet and 7 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Wheatear continue to dominate with 118 birds logged, including the distinctive leucistic bird. Also seen were 5 Willow Warbler, 2 White Wagtail and single Whinchat, Blackcap and Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 10 Pink-footed Geese headed north and a Yellow Wagtail was amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Green Sandpiper – the first of the year, 2 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.
Breeding Birds
Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler showed a small increase and the first 2 Reed Warbler have returned but Whitethroat numbers remain low.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
24th April 2023 – sunny spells N1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) produced 295 Common Scoter, 16 Sandwich Tern, 11 Manx Shearwater, 9 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and 3 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Another wave of Wheatear arrived with 70 birds logged, including a distinctive leucistic bird. Also seen were 14 Willow Warbler 2 Whinchat – the first of the year, 2 White Wagtail and a Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 315 Pink-footed Geese headed north in 3 flocks and a House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 23 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a Merlin was logged.
Butterflies and Moths
Flame Shoulder was new for the year.
23rd April 2023 – sun and showers/calm
Offshore
A check of the sea (0630-0730) produced 235 Common Scoter, 76 Sandwich Tern, 27 Guillemot, 20 Red-throated Diver, 18 Gannet, 13 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag and 5 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Another wave of Wheatear arrived with 62 birds logged, also seen were 3 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A trickle of Swallow included 5 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Collared Dove.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 100 Golden Plover, 20 Whimbrel and single Jack Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit.
Breeding Birds
The first Sedge Warblers are now in breeding habitats.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
Mammals
A Harbour Porpoise was offshore and a Badger was tracked.
Butterflies and Moths
Dark Sword Grass and Hebrew Character were new for the year.
22nd April 2023 – overcast/rain clearing later/calm
Offshore
A later than normal check of the sea as the rain began to clear (1130-1230) was highlighted by 12 Little Gull heading out of the bay. Also seen were 84 Common Scoter, 82 Sandwich Tern, 35 Red-throated Diver, 26 Manx Shearwater, 18 Gannet, 16 Guillemot and 4 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 2 Blackcap and a Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 21 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a Barn Owl hunted at dusk.
Mammals
Two Harbour Porpoise were again offshore.
