24th-31st March

 A mixed bag again in terms of weather, but for the most part it's remained settled and birds are beginning to arrive as Spring draws in. The 24th started strongly with the first Greenfinch of the year seen around the back end of T3, not a significant sighting for most UK observatories but it's one that has nearly been missed in previous years. Two Wheatear on the Links were the other highlight offered by the days birding.

The following day would see first Dunnock, another good year-list addition, at Bewan house feeding on the outside of the dyke. Other avian highlights included another Wheatear at South Gravity, a Black Redstart at the pier and the first Puffins of the year passed at sea. The birds weren't the highlight of the day however as a repeat visit, albeit a short one, of the 27's Orca pod as they passed the North end of the island. 

A quieter day on 26th gave little to shout about but the following day was much better with three year ticks in total. The first was a Siskin as it flew South down the island and out over the observatory and was followed by a Goldfinch at the War Memorial which again flew South down the island and briefly settled in Holland. The third year tick was a distant White-billed Diver from the North end, hopefully a closer encounter will follow in the coming weeks. The day was rounded off by a Carrion Crow at Trolla and a Rook at Claypows in the afternoon. 

The 28th saw the re-appearance of Short-eared Owls at Peckhole, wether they're the same birds or different we'll never know but at least two were present until the close of the month. The only year-list addition was a Collared Dove that made a very fleeting visit into the gardens Holland.

The final date and bird of interest for this post was a Summer plumaged Black-throated Diver off Haskie in the afternoon on 30th. 

                                    Dunnock 

                                   Short-eared Owl

                                   Redwing