23rd March

The early stages of migration continued in warm and summery conditions, small migrants beginning to appear in slowly increasing quantity. Goldcrests were clearly a species on the move, with 13 noted around the island, and other newly arrived passerines included the first Siskin of the year, a Rook, 2 Song Thrushes, a Robin, a Dunnock and a further increase in Meadow Pipits to 59 birds. A Water Rail in the unusual location of Holland House garden was presumably a new migrant, and the day's raptor tally came to 1 apiece of Sparrowhawk, Merlin and Peregrine. A Glaucous Gull was probably new; the only Iceland Gull seen was one of the usual long-stayers.

Goldcrest