19th April

Hazy sunshine again and we kept the strong SSE wind that has dominated for seemingly ages now – all set to change tomorrow though!   The steady turnover of birds continued with today’s highlights comprising 2 Whimbrel over the Obs, a Common Sandpiper at Lenswick and a random Canada Goose (only the fourth ever April record!) seen at many points across the island all new for the year.  

                There was a general increase in ‘summer’ migrants including 87+ Wheatears, a Blackcap and 9 Willow Warblers along with other totals consisting of 2 Sparrowhawks, a Merlin, a Collared Dove, 22 Sand Martins (with birds back at their breeding colony on The Links), 4 Swallows, 350+ Meadow Pipits, 4 Dunnocks, 57 Robins, a Black Redstart, a Stonechat, a Song Thrush, 7 Redwing, 21 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrests, a Jackdaw, 2 Chaffinches, 2 Brambling, a Goldfinch and a single lingering Snow Bunting.

                Other birds of note included 2 Herons, 2 Pintail, the drake Goldeneye still, 122 Sanderling, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 10 Sandwich Terns messing around on Gretchen.

Common Sandpiper