12th -14th April

It has been a fairly quiet few days birding-wise, mostly owing to the lack of favourable weather. We still managed the one year tick though, and continue to remain hopeful for the weather turning soon (although the forecast isn't giving us much to look forwards to!).

12th started with four Rook going south over the Shooting Gallery, followed by a flurry of other corvids in the form of Carrion Crow and Jackdaw throughout the day. A year tick came in the form of a House Martin that was seen flying over Viggay with two Sand Martin. There was a notable increase in Wheatear and a Whimbrel flew over Ancum.

13th produced two Sandwich Tern flying south over Hooking, as well as a Pink-footed Goose in the fields opposite the surgery. Another House Martin was seen over Sandsheen and the Barnacle Goose seen a few days prior was once again around Hooking. 

Things seemed to pick up slightly on 14th, with a Kestrel seen going over the Shooting Gallery being relocated at the airfield soon after. The drake Goosander that has been patrolling across the island the past few days was seen this time on Brides with a relatively high count of 27 Tufted Duck. 14 Pink-footed Geese were found in the fields north of Ancum, and two House Martin were feeding over the sea at the south end of the Links. An afternoon sea watch produced 846 Fulmar, 133 Guillemot/Razorbill, 272 Kittiwake, 22 Puffin, and four Great Skua.

Wheatear - CAF