2nd May

A glorious spring day with plenty of sunshine and a moderate easterly breeze had everyone picking up on the fine array of migrants that kept turning up throughout the day although we best mention the Red-winged Blackbird first which keeps delighting everyone who makes the trek up to the north end of island with everyone who held out and waited able to arrive on the island on one of the scheduled flights and see the bird in more relaxed mode!

                The Hoopoe was also still present and still ranging widely, being seen near the Obs and right back up at Nether Linney; most of the other migrant totals consisted of more regular visiting species but some good numbers were posted including 86 Willow Warblers, 43 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, single Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers, a Stonechat, 98 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 3 Redstarts, a Black Redstart, 6 Tree Pipits, 49 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins and a House Martin.

Sanderling,  photo Simon Davies

                Raptors were prominent in the fine conditions with up to 5 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, a Merlin and a ringtail Hen Harrier logged while more wintery feeling migrants were still lingering with a Short-eared Owl, 3 Snow Buntings, a Lapland Bunting, 2 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Fieldfares and 6 Robins with other notable records consisted of 2 Great-northern Divers, a Barnacle Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese, the pair of Garganey, 35 Arctic Terns back displaying, single Chaffinch and Lesser Redpoll, a bit of a corvid influx with 21 Carrion Crows counted and still a turnover of waders with 76 Sanderling, 70 Purple Sandpipers, a Knot, 5 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper seen.

Sparrowhawk caught at Holland,  photo Simon Davies

Great-northern Diver,  photo Simon Davies

Swallows are busy returning to their nest sites across the island,  photo Simon Davies