26th-30th April
It's been one of those weeks here with promising conditions supplying a dusting of migrants around the island. However news from around us has made us feel a little frustrated at times, but with only two of us covering the island it's a tough task.
The 26th was interesting day starting with a male Ring Ouzel around the obs and followed by a Green Sandpiper at Scottsha' - a new bird for 2023. Three Manx Shearwaters from a sea-watch were also new for the year, staring at the sea also provided 148 Kittiwake, 150 Auk sp., 37 Puffins, a single Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Northern Divers and 2 Jackdaws in off. The five Barnacle Geese were still hanging around Brides. A lone Whooper Swan dropped onto Ancum in the evening before continuing North assumedly to its breeding grounds.
A distant White-billed Diver in Nouster Bay in the early morning of the 27th and was the second of the year, the Black-throated Diver was also present. Another late Stonechat was at Sangar in the evening and was also seen the next day, the Green Sandpiper and Male Ring Ouzel were both still present.
The 28th started with a Common Sandpiper around Gretchen while the Ring Ouzel was still around the obs, other common migrants such as Blackcap and Willow Warbler were present around the island in small number, the only year tick of the day was a Lesser Whitethroat at Verracott.
The previous days Lesser Whitethroat had moved to Ancum Willows and our first Sedge Warbler of the year was at Lochend. A lone Redpoll was in the obs camping field and the five Barnacle Geese were still on Brides on what was otherwise a rather a quiet day, on North Ron at least.
The final day in April showed promise but ultimately failed to provide anything to get overly excited about. A total of six Willow Warblers were spread around the island, there were Redpolls at Lenswick and on the Lurn and at the Pier. An Arctic Skua streaked over West Beach and a White-fronted Goose was with Greylags around Cott. The bird of the day went to a very smart male Whinchat at Greenwall.
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