1st May

A fair variety of species were present in low numbers, and the new species for the year were a Swift (the earliest ever by ten days) and a Green Sandpiper. An extra Dotterel joined the lingering quintet on Tor Ness, 6 Whimbrels were seen and a Water Rail was heard. Passerine migrants included a Tree Pipit, 2 Whinchats, a Pied Flycatcher, 51 Wheatears, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcaps, the same Wood Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, a Carrion Crow, a Brambling, a Dunnock and 4 Robins; and 5 Lapland Buntings were still present. The Eastern Subalpine Warbler was also still in the garden at Holland.

Early Arrivals:
This year, several summer migrants have appeared here earlier than usual. Those species setting new earliest ever arrival dates so far have been Swift, Lesser Whitethroat, Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher, while Dotterel and Sedge Warbler have both equalled the record.