4th-6th May

 The south easterly winds arrived as promised and with birds! Whilst no major rarity has been discovered as a result (yet!), there have been plenty of year list additions and some nice highlights to top off an enjoyable, although also quite tiring, few days. 

4th delivered much promise, with the ever wished for combination of early morning light rain and easterlies, although turned out to be a slow burner of a day. To begin with, it appeared we were in for disappointment, with just a few new birds being discovered during the first half of the day - a Song Thrush and a Goldcrest were the only notable new migrants. However, the discovery of the first Redstart of the year at Ancum Willows around midday gave us promise and by the afternoon the island had received a nice scattering of spring migrants, mainly along the north and west coasts. Totals included 2 Pied Flycatchers (first of the year), another Redstart, 1 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Ring Ouzel, 17 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 61 Wheatears and 4 Tree Pipits (first of the year). There were 2 Dotterels (male and female) at Sandar and another single on Torness, potentially all new individuals, and 7 Whimbrels seen around the island. The highlight of the day was a Quail, also discovered on Torness, attempting to conceal itself against the grass at the base of the stone dyke and doing a very bad job at doing so! The Pallid Harrier remained at Peckhole, although appears to be getting more elusive, also being seen around the airfield. Arctic Tern numbers increased noticeably, with 30 seen over Hooking, and 4 Arctic Skuas were seen around the island.

Quail - GG

         

Pied Flycatcher - TG

5th saw the south easterly wind increase in strength to 50mph gusts, making attempting to bird anywhere apart from the sheltered west side hard work. Still, a few new birds were unearthed, although there were also many birds remaining in suspiciously similar locations - not that I blame them for deciding not to leave in the current weather... Notable new birds included a stunning Wood Warbler around T5 near the Obs and 3 Sedge Warblers (2 at Ancum Willows, 1 at Garso). Otherwise totals were similar to the previous day with 19 Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 each of Lesser and Common Whitethroat, 2 White Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Pied Flycatchers (one new) and a Redstart (presumably same bird at Ancum Willows). Non-passerine highlights included 26 Bar-tailed Godwits around Quoybanks and a Dotterel at Sandar. 

Wood Warbler - TG

The wind remained persistently strong on 6th, with the unwelcome bonus of fog also. A perhaps overly optimistic foray into the south east of the island produced 8 Willow Warblers, 1 Tree Pipit and 1 Whitethroat, although also produced one of the day's highlights with a presumed intergrade flava wagtail ssp. found at Breckan, which shortly took off into the fog (showed a very reduced/diffuse supercilium and dark crown/ear coverts suggesting thunbergi influence, although the extent of white in the face and throat indicates other genes are involved also). Elsewhere, there were another 7 Willow Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Tree Pipits and a Pied Flycatcher. The first House Martin of the year was seen at Gretchen and 3 Redpolls were at Holland. The other of the day's highlights was a Canada Goose. which joined the Peckhole goose fest, seen alongside the White-fronted Goose. 6 Barnacle Geese were at Brides, with presumably the Peckhole bird deciding to relocate and join the others there.

Canada Goose (right) with White-fronted Goose - TG

The fog currently seems to be here to stay for the immediate future, which often puts a stop to further arrivals. Hopefully, a switch in the wind direction will clear it up, although there's every chance there are birds still here to be found regardless!