14th and 15th May


A stunning day with hardly a cloud in the sky on the 14th and a light SE breeze; there was a decent spread of migrants across the island without it being jumping highlighted by 2 Long-eared Owls trapped in Holland at first light, 2 Red-backed Shrikes (females at the Obs and Nether Linney) and a female Bluethroat at Southness.   Other migrants included 5 Woodpigeons, 3 Collared Doves, 57 Swallows, a White Wagtail, 101 Wheatears, a Song Thrush, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Garden Warbler, 9 Blackcaps, 28 Chiffchaffs, 9 Willow Warblers, the first 4 Spotted Flycatchers of the year, 12 Carrion Crows, 3 Rook, 2 Common Redpolls, 3 Siskins and a Tree Sparrow.

                Also of note were counts of 81 Bar-tailed Godwits and 7 Whimbrel, the Kumlien’s Gull again and an adult female Peregrine along the west coast.

                Another lovely, warm, sunny day on the 15th until a band of rain moved in late evening causing the wind to dramatically pick up and switch to the west; there were fewer migrants logged through the day as counts included a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Kestrel, a Merlin, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Woodpigeons, 4 Collared Doves, 16 Sand Martins, a Tree Pipit, a Robin, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2 Siskins and 3 Common Redpolls.

                Three Garganey were seen again along with the Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Goose still while some increased wader counts included 213 Ringed Plovers, 229 Sanderling, 68 Bar-tailed Godwits and 282 Turnstone.   The Kumlien’s Gull was floating around the Obs again and a new 2cy Glaucous Gull was seen over the airstrip.


Long-eared Owl                                      Simon Davies

Turnstone                               Simon Davies

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