April 29th: A slight switch in the wind to a more southerly direction brought instant results......A cracking male CITRINE WAGTAIL was found prior to lunch in the ditches opposite Barkland and later that afternoon a male Marsh Harrier drifted down the isle.Other sightings of note included both Black and Common Redstarts, three Grasshopper Warbler, two Pied Flycatcher and a female Northern Bullfinch. Numbers were generally down on yesterday with 30 Swallow, 160 Wheatear, 15 Blackbird, 10 Ring Ouzel, 46 Fieldfare, 30 Song Thrush, 16 Chiffchaff, two Willow Warbler and 12 Reed Bunting.

Citrine Wagtail at Barkland Photo Deryk Shaw

April 28th: A good days birding was eventually brought to a conclusion mid-afternoon by a SE'ly gale and driving rain, but not before five year ticks had been logged and some good counts of common migrants been made. Highlight of the day was probably the Waxwing which was caught in the Obs trap in the afternoon. A House Martin was spotted in the Gully on morning traps and a Common Sandpiper was in the Havens. A male Shoveler flew in and landed in Finniequoy, two Pied Flycatchers (both males) were found in Hjukni Geo and a Wood Warbler nearby became the fifth species of the day to be added to the year list. Added to these highlights were counts of; 18 Wood Pigeon, 4 Short-eared Owl, 200 Wheatear, 2 Black Redstart, 4 Common Redstart, 3 Stonechat, 15 Robin, 29 Dunnock, 15 Ring Ouzel, 58 Fieldfare, 55 Song Thrush, 6 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 30 Chiffchaff, 48 Brambling, a female Bullfinch and 11 Reed Bunting. The Corn Bunting was seen at Shirva. All in all, a very good day - just lacking that BB rare!!!
 

Waxwing Photos Deryk Shaw

Grasshopper warbler

April 26th: The Corn Bunting was seen again in the afternoon at Busta. Two Common Redpolls were new for the year and Common Scoter, six Ring Ouzels, Tree Pipit, three Grasshopper Warblers and eight Chiffchaffs were other sightings of note whilst Wheatears reached 160.

April 25th: A bright day with a light SE'ly wind which strengthened during the afternoon. There seemed to be less birds around today but this was made up for by the arrival of four year ticks. Pride of place went to the CORN BUNTING at Busta - the first since 2001 and only the fourth in the last 25 years. A Tufted Duck was found on Field pond whilst two Whimbrel flew over and a Lesser Whitethroat was flushed from the Vaadal. Late news came of a Great Grey Shrike at Quoy yesterday!

April 24th: Another pleasant day with a light (but cool) ESE'ly. An influx of Robins gave a day count of 55 whilst Wheatears topped 100 and there was a good count of Reed Buntings (15). Other highlights were the first Greenshank of the year, 5 Short-eared Owls, 4 Swallows, 4 Tree Pipits, 14 Ring Ouzels, 85 Song Thrushes, 3 Common Redstarts and 2 Stonechats and a Blackcap. Another female Sparrowhawk (one of three present) was trapped in the Gully whilst the Brambling flocks in the garden and Plantation totalled 50 and a freshly dead Hawfinch was picked up by an islander.

April 23rd: A Wryneck just pipped the two year ticks (Common Scoter and Lesser Redpoll) to bird of the day and other highlights included some good counts; 80 Wheatear, 40 Robin, 20 Dunnock, 24 Ring Ouzel, 200 Fieldfare and 60 Brambling. Further variety was provided by 4 Short-eared Owl, 3 Woodcock, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and 3 Siskin.

April 22nd: Another fairly quiet day  but a Woodcock was the first for several weeks. A flock of 137 Common Gulls presided at Pund and other counts included 93 Wheatear, 8 Ring Ouzel, 230 Fieldfare, 105 Song Thrush, 12 Chiffchaff 21 migrant Raven and 40 Brambling. A Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart, female Northern Bullfinch and two Snow Bunting were other birds of note.