4th-5th May

Little to report from a drizzly, foggy, miserable 4th with the most sensible opting for indoor based work or whichever James Bond film was on TV! Just 15% of the island was covered and only the Hawfinch at Holland House and 3 Mealy Redpolls warrant a mention. The fog had cleared by mid-morning the next day and the welcoming sound of returning Arctic Terns filled the sky-100 present in total. There was plenty to else to report from 50% coverage with the first Cuckoo of the year near the mill, 2 Grasshopper Warblers (Nether Linnay and Holland), a pair of Garganey at Ancum and an obliging Short-toed Lark at Lenswick late in the evening the highlights. Waders always build-up in early May and 656 Turnstones, 182 Purple Sandpipers, 10 Dunlins and 6 Whimbrels were logged during the days census. A Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawks were also new, as were 2 Goldfinches and a Lapland Bunting. The Hawfinch remains and a Whitethroat, 15 Blackcaps, 11 Chiffchaffs, a Ring Ouzel, 10 Bramblings and 3 Mealy Redpolls made up the rest of the days most 'notable' sightings.

Lapland Bunting

 

Mealy Redpoll