26th April - 3rd May
Its been a week of sunnier and warmer weather, and although that may not be perfect for grounding migrants, a few have made landfall and the year list is ticking along nicely. The 26th didn't really produce all that much, three Woodpigeon darting around the island got the day kicked off. Our first Arctic Terns of the year appeared at Lenswick at around lunchtime and were closely followed by a Ketsrel, a Short-eared Owl late in the day at Westness was the final act of the day. A calm morning followed and nets were opened at dawn, this quickly produced a singing Grasshopper Warbler, although it only sang briefly it was very welcome year list addition at this early stage in the spring. It appeared a pulse of warblers had arrived overnight with Chiffchaff making up the bulk of arrivals, but a Lesser Whitethroat at Garso along with a Blackcap provided a bit of optimism. A very mobile Hawfinch was then found near the Broch before it bombed off towards Greenwall and then Howar. The oddes...
