1st-3rd May
A drifty feel to the first few days of May has been topped off with a quality bird, with a supporting cast of perhaps more expected, but still exciting nonetheless, spring migrants. Sightings on the first day of the month included a scattering of common passerine migrants including 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Robins, 2 Goldcrests and 43 Wheatears. The undoubted highlight of the day was the discovery of 2 Dotterels on Torness, which were typically confiding. Torness is a remarkably consistent stopover site for this species, with Dotterels recorded there on numerous occasions in recent years. 7 Whimbrels, a Kestrel and an Arctic Skua made up the rest of the non-passerine highlights. A small ringtail harrier was seen briefly in the afternoon but unfortunately disappeared before sufficient views could be obtained - more on this later.
2nd continued with a slight increase in spring migrants, including our first Whitethroats of the year, with birds at Garso, Rue and Ancum Willows. Also in the mix were 11 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, two Goldcrests and a White Wagtail. 4 Carrions Crows with a Hooded Crow and a hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow made their way north from Brides, where our first 4 Knot for the year were also seen. A second calendar year male Merlin was trapped and ringed at Holland in the evening, where a male Ring Ouzel was calling on top of the house.
3rd began in similar fashion with a Whitethroat at Breckan, 2 Lesser Whitethroats around the Obs and a small number of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs. A Cuckoo (year tick) was at Claypows, which felt like the day's best offering until the sudden reappearance of the ringtail harrier from Monday. Thankfully, this time the bird cooperated, giving great views allowing us to identify it as the island's second Pallid Harrier! The bird ranged between Hooking and Kirbest, occasionally landing out of sight in the long grass before appearing again. A wonderful bird to watch, which has put us in high spirits before the arrival of some rather exciting looking southeasterlies... Stay tuned to find out what they have in store!
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