30th March

Bright and sunny throughout with only a couple of short-sharp showers to keep you on your toes but very windy, making it difficult in the field; there were still new birds to be had despite the wind with the first couple of Puffins off the top end, the first Chiffchaff of the year around the Obs and a fine male Lapland Bunting with Skylarks at Sandar.   Other totals included 7 Mute Swans still, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Goldeneye, a Jack Snipe at Brides, 3 Woodpigeons, a much-increased total of 390+ Skylarks, 5 Redwing, a Greenfinch at Howar, 29 Twite, a Common Redpoll, 4 Snow Buntings and 11 Reed Buntings – a few extra migrants, with many getting back on territory.

Raven being seen off