25th April

Once a few early patches of fog cleared away to leave us with low cloud and a moderate easterly wind, it wasn't surprising that migrants began to pour in and the day was without doubt the busiest of the year so far. We managed to achieve 40% coverage of the island while 8 hours were also spent manning the nets at Holland House where 67 new birds caught and ringed. There were no major rarities but an impressive roll-call of passerines included 12 Tree Pipits, 3 House Martins, 10 Swallows, 28 Robins, a Dunnock, 4 Redstarts, 65 Wheatears, 8 Ring Ouzels, 65 Fieldfares, 17 Song Thrushes, our earliest ever Garden Warbler (by 11 days!). 16 Blackcaps, 13 Chiffchaffs, 9 Willow Warblers, 2 Wood Warblers (also the earliest island record), 3 Pied Flycatchers, 65 Bramblings, 4 Lesser and 9 Mealy Redpolls and a female Hawfinch. There was also the first Greenshank and Green Sandpiper of the year while a Short-eared Owl came in off the sea. The Pale-bellied Brent Goose was still present and 11 Lesser-black backed Gulls were counted. A busy day!

 
Wood Warbler