25th-29th April
Another mixed bag in terms of weather with the latter of the six days finally producing some easterlies but it perhaps too early for them to have taken full effect if indeed they do.
The 25th produced little in the way of new arrivals, a Whimbrel was around the obs while a straggling Robin was a lay over from the previous weeks birding as was a Ring Ouzel around Cruesbreck and 17 Brambling in the obs crop. The House Martin from the 24th also remained around the Twingness pund and the first Canada Goose of 2022 was on Gretchen with the four Barnacle Geese.
The following day was a similar story with a few hangers-on around the island although a Sparrowhawk in Holland in the evening was a new arrival as was a Woodpigeon seen around the gardens and a lone Chiffchaff was the only migrant passerine of note. A Common Sandpiper feeding around Bewan was the bird of the day however and the first for this year. The day after (27th) was also quiet but with staff away for the day this isn't really a surprise! Day highlights included a Collared Dove and probably the same Sparrowhawk both at Holland.
A small influx of migrants on 28th saw the years first Grasshopper Warbler in 'rare bird corner' at Holland, despite our best efforts it never made into a mist net! A Long-eared Owl was also seen briefly in the gardens along with the previously mentioned Collared Dove, while five Rook and three Carrion Crow spent the day in various locations. Yet another White-tailed Eagle made its way through the island in the late afternoon pursued by a various contingent of Gulls and Corvids. Other passerine migrants included 15 Swallows, 2 Robins, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff and singles of Goldcrest and Willow Warbler.
The 29th was a stunning day of unbroken sunshine and a light Northerly breeze, A fourth White-tailed Eagle of the year made its way from Fair Isle in the early afternoon and eventually made landfall in North Ronaldsay before continuing South, again mobbed by most of the islands Gulls. The first Arctic Tern of the year was seen scooting around Bewan in the morning. Evening ringing produced little but did bolster the passerine totals for the day with 2 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest remained on the island.
The outlook for the weekend and the week ahead look interesting and should hopefully give us something to shout about after what has been a fairly quiet week in the grand scheme of things.
Year list: 128
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