8th April

Very similar conditions to yesterday, dry but with the brisk, chilly NE wind still sweeping across the island; the spread of migrants today comprised 2 Water Rails (in random places, indicating that they were indeed migrants), 6 Woodpigeons, a Collared Dove, 226 Skylarks, 127 Meadow Pipits, 7 Rock Pipits, 2 Dunnocks, 30 Robins, 4 Stonechats, 17 Wheatears, 6 Song Thrush, 23 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrests, 5 Chaffinches, a notable increase to 88+ Linnets, 2 Common Redpolls, 7 Snow Buntings and the elusive male Lapland Bunting popping back up at Sandar.

                Other birds of note included 5 Herons, the surprise reappearance of the drake Green-winged Teal on Gretchen (we thought he’d finally headed off as he hadn’t been seen for 4 days), 2 Merlin, a Grey Plover at Howar (first one since February), 73 Sanderling (much improved count) and 2 Black-tailed Godwits.

                An exciting end to the day with the evening mist-netting session at Holland House producing two fantastic Hawfinches while a Long-eared Owl was also floating around the gardens.

Hawfinch