1st to 2nd April

More easterlies, more sunshine and more pleasant birding-the islands really is a fantastic place to be at the moment! The first wave of Blackbirds was evident on 1st, and although the numbers weren't huge, 13 trapped and ringed in the morning was a clear sign of an arrival. There seemed to be slightly fewer Robin's and Dunnock's, especially once the sun came out so perhaps they've started to move on while the only year tick from the day was a Sandwich Tern on Gretchen Loch. Another scorcher followed on 2nd and saw the first bit of 'Corvid' passage with at least 11 Hooded Crows and 3 Rooks on the move. The Greenland White-fronted Goose was seen again and calm sea's enabled 12 Great Northern and 8 Red-throated Divers to be counted-fingers crossed for a White-billed soon! Passerine totals were slightly reduced again, although the first Brambling of the year and a White Wagtail were new, while the undoubted highlight came late in the day-a fine Great Grey Shrike caught and ringed at Holland gardens.

Great Grey Shrike