2nd - 11th April
With the poor weather finally breaking up and some more easterly based airflows arriving we finally saw the first trickle of spring migrants arrive on the island. Away from the birding side of things trap repairs have mostly been completed, the nets are up in Holland and in Ancum Willows. The first Chiffchaff of the year appeared in Ancum Willows on 2nd April as the week slowly ground into life, the following day saw the first Great Skua of 2026 arrive on Gretchen, while a Brambling at Westness was another year tick, it was accompanied by a Song Thrush, our first in a few weeks. As the 4th rolled around a very slight increase in Wheatear kept interest going, and theme continued over the next couple days. The 5th saw the first Whimbrel of the year fly south down the Links and the 7th saw things get busier again, a Woodpigen was at Dennishead while three Jackdaw were present on the island along with a Rook, the first Sand Martins of the year were around Hooking and a Grey Wagtail wa...
