15th and 16th May

May 17, 2017

15th and 16th May

Still promising conditions on the 15^th with a brisk easterly wind and plenty of cloud but I suppose the biggest news was the absence of the infamous Red-winged Blackbird; searched for several times on both days in her usual haunts there was no sign of the streaky, spotty crowd puller!

It was a bit of a quiet day all round really with the first Swift of the year along the west coast and the (yet again) surprise reappearance of the Gretchen Green-winged Teal – last seen on 26^th April but realistically it is equally likely to be a new passage bird as it is the returning, wandering individual? Other migrant totals included 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Woodpigeons, 4 Collared Doves, a Short-eared Owl, 4 House Martins, single Tree Pipit, Robin, Whinchat and Sedge Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, a Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warblers and one each of Spotted and Pied Flycatchers.

Sparrowhawk with attendants, photo Simon Davies

The wind was back in the SW on the 16^th and increased steadily through the day to become a raging force 6-7 by the evening; the day’s highlights consisted of the first Cuckoo of the year behind the surgery and a Marsh Harrier which toured around the island. Other migrants showed a slight increase as totals included 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Woodpigeons, 8 Collared Doves, a Short-eared Owl, 91 Swallows, 6 House Martins, a Whinchat, a Song Thrush, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, single Garden Warbler and Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a late Chaffinch, 3 Mealy Redpolls and 10 Carrion Crows.