6th and 7th April

Fairly calm and bright first thing on the 6th but the wind soon began increasing, bringing more cloud and eventually heavy rain by mid-afternoon; with the wind largely in the SE we were hopeful of a few new arrivals but it remained quiet on the land as totals included single Merlin and Sparrowhawk, a Woodpigeon, a Collared Dove, 98 Skylarks, a Dunnock, 51 Robins, a Black Redstart, a Wheatear, 2 Mistle Thrushes, a Goldcrest, 6 Chaffinches, a Brambling and 2 Snow Buntings.

                There were some slight wildfowl increases with 17 Gadwall, 14 Pintail, 10 Shoveler, 41 Tufted Duck and a single lingering Goldeneye.   43 Sanderling were new in, although they probably just hopped across from Sanday while 57 Curlew included several small flocks heading high off to the N.   Other little bits included 151 Purple Sandpipers, a Ruff, the Kumlien’s Gull and 4 Sandwich Terns off the seawatch hide where there were also a handful of Puffins passing by with other Auks.

                A lovely day on the 7th with plenty of warmish sunshine and very light winds; a few new arrivals were noted including our overdue first Short-eared Owl of the year, single Merlin and Sparrowhawk again, a Woodcock, a Woodpigeon, an influx of 162 Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 45 Pied Wagtails, 49 Robins, 2 Dunnocks, a Black Redstart, a Stonechat, 3 new Wheatears, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Jackdaw, 4 Chaffinches, 3 Siskins, 36 Linnets and a Carrion Crow.

                Elsewhere 10 Great-northern and 5 Red-throated Divers were offshore, the 3 Barnacle Geese remained, 300 Golden Plover represented a notable influx along with 58 Sanderling, 47 Dunlin and 4 Ruff and 3 Sandwich Terns and the Kumlien’s Gull were noted again.

Late news came in the evening, with a dark phase Arctic Skua which flew along the south end of the island – the first of the year.

Coot fight!

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