27th April

Overcast through the day with a brisk easterly breeze in the morning gradually easing off to become very calm by the evening; there was a nice mix of species across the island today as totals included 3 Herons, two drake Garganey on Hooking, 3 Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, a Merlin, 2 Whimbrel, a Greenshank at Westness, 2 Woodpigeons, 62 Sand Martins, 11 Swallows, a Dunnock, 24 Robins, 64 Wheatears, 8 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, a Redwing, the first 2 Whitethroats of the year at Westness, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Blackcaps, 22 Chiffchaff, 18 Willow Warblers, a Carrion Crow, 13 Bramblings, a Common Redpoll and 4 Reed Buntings.

There's a particularly photogenic Merlin around the south of the island at the moment!