15th April

A strong southerly wind blew all day, but it remained dry and there were a few new arrivals. These included the first Swallow of the year, 16 Wheatears, a Black Redstart, a new Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest. 3 Sparrowhawks were around Holland House in the evening where 3 Tree Sparrows dropped in late in the afternoon. A feature of the day was the continuous south-bound passage of Meadow Pipits with many of the 202 counted heading past the observatory and out to sea in the direction of the Orkney mainland. Numbers of Gulls and Waders on the coasts remain high, while the Golden Plover flock has more than doubled to 420 birds. 2 Sandwich Terns were also seen as were 2 Collared Doves.

A number of  Redwings and Fieldfares have arrived in recent days-a few weeks later than usual this year. Like many migrant species they have presumably been held up by the snow further south.