13th and 14th March

A rough couple of days with blazing westerlies battering the island; there were some new arrivals on the 13th however including a Grey Wagtail at Gretchen, a smart flock of 30 Black-tailed Godwits which pitched down at Brides and a new Woodpigeon joined the two long-staying birds at Holland.  

If in doubt take pictures of Fulmars playing in the wind, photo Simon Davies


                The drake Green-winged Teal remained on Gretchen as did the drake Smew on Hooking or Bewan while the single Pink-footed Goose was still with a total of 693 Greylag Geese with other wildfowl counts including 352 Wigeon and 29 Shoveler.   Other little bits of note comprised the 2 Glaucous Gulls still and one remaining Stonechat.

                The 14th was a different kettle of fish with blasting force 8/9 westerly winds in the morning giving way to blasting force 8/9 westerly winds with vicious rain/hail squalls in the afternoon and despite census carrying on as usual a Glaucous Gull, 8 Snow Buntings and 2 Pied Wagtails were the only birds of note.
Stonechat, photo Simon Davies

Shoveler, photo Simon Davies

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