April 26^th: Spring continues, with the first Common Redstart of the year (male) at Wirvie adding a splash of colour on a wet and windy day. A Sand Martin was seen again, with a female Stonechat at Schoolton, Yellowhammer at Barkland and 2 Willow Warblers the main passerine highlights, although a ‘littoralis’ Rock Pipit in the Obs garden looked good. The Green Sandpiper moved to Sukka Mire, and 28 Common and 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls represented an increase. The Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, 2 Jackdaw and Goldfinch lingered while the Carrion Crow flock increased to 8.

Goldfinch

Ringed Plover Photos Mark Warren

Siskin

April 25^th: New arrivals continue to turn up with a pair of Shelduck touring the South and a Green Sandpiper on the scrape at Hegri being the most notable. 2 Rook were also new, with 32 Fieldfare seen and Meadow Pipit numbers increasing to 210. The Goldfinch re-appeared in the Obs garden where it was trapped, and there are now 2 male Siskin present. Wader numbers were up with 47 Golden Plover and 27 Purple Sandpipers counted, and 3 Knot are new. A female Long-tailed Duck in South Harbour was probable the same individual from a few days ago, while the Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Tree Pipit and 2 Jackdaw all remain.

24^th April: Most of the activity was in the North of the Island today with the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year found on the cliff top at Lericum in the morning and a House Martin at North Light in the afternoon. Best of all however were 3 Shorelark briefly beside the Airstrip just before lunch. An increase in ‘Phylloscs’ was noted with 14 Chiffchaff and 4 Willow Warbler, plus 7 Goldcrest while a Blackcap was at Shirva. Wheatear numbers were back up to three figures with 113 recorded including many ‘leucorrhoa’ indicating plenty of new arrivals. 2 Dunlin were new, as were 5 Collared Dove and a few more Swallows appeared during the afternoon with a minimum of 8. 6 Whimbrel passed over and 84 Turnstone was the highest count for a while. 2 Ring Ouzel and 15 Blackbird were probable old birds, but Robins increased to 11. The Moorhen remains, as does the Sand Martin, 2 Dunnock, and the Siskin.

23^rd April:  Glorious sunshine and a very light SW wind meant it was too good to be indoor’s. An all-day ‘thrash’ produced a few birds but it was perhaps surprising that more wasn’t found. 6 Barnacle Geese flying south were the only addition to the year list although a  ‘Commic’ Tern past the Obs was technically also a first for the year. 9 Pink-footed Geese passed straight over with the single remaining with the now 30 strong Greylag herd. The 2^nd Goldfinch of the year was seen all over the Island while a Moorhen self-trapped in the Gully after lunch was a little unusual. A Sand Martin was around the Obs and 4 Swallows, 2 Tree Pipits and 2 Ring Ouzels seen. A female Black Redstart was at Burkle with the male still at Hjukni. Wheatears were down to 69, with numbers of Chiffchaff (9) and Goldcrest (3) also continuing to fall, but a Blackcap was new. Also of note were 10 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Whimbrel, 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Jackdaw, 5 Carrion Crow and 15 Snow Bunting.

22^nd April: A blustery day with a strong SE wind and showers made birding difficult with only a few new arrivals noted. Highlights included a flyby drake Tufted Duck, a pair of Stonechats at Skerryholm, 2 Ring Ouzels in the north and a single Whimbrel. Wheatear numbers increased to 103 with the first ‘Greenland’ birds noted, and Meadow Pipit to 160. The 1^st summer Great Northern Diver reappeared off South light, and Bonxies continued to arrive with 83 counted. ‘Leftovers’ from previous days were two Tree Pipit, Black Redstart, 13 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest and the Siskin.

April 21st: Morning census produced three year ticks - Whimbrel, Arctic Skua and Blackcap (bringing the year list to 115) plus a Ring Ouzel and a fair scattering of Phylloscopus warblers. Sparrowhawk Photo Mark Warren
		April 20th: Single Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Woodcock, Black Redstart, Stonechat and Brambling were new whilst Tree Pipit (3) and Siskin were also year ticks. Other arrivals included 3 Grey Heron, 3 Collared Dove, 4 Swallow, 12 Robin, 80 Wheatear, 28 Blackbird, 18 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush, 6 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler and 14 Goldcrest.The Wood Pigeon flock is down to 27 and a female Peregrine was seen. Chiffchaff Photo Mark Warren

April 19th: At last - a Ring Ouzel and our first Willow Warblers (3)!! A small 'fall' included a Swallow, 92 Wheatear, 5 Robin, 22 Blackbird, a single Song Thrush, 31 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Rook and a Short-eared Owl. The Common Buzzard showed again, Bonxies increased to 52 whilst Snow Bunting fell to just 3.

April 18th: Two Sparrowhawks were seen plus a male Merlin. A Greenshank, now 49 Bonxies, "just" 67 Wood Pigeon plus 2 Stock Dove, 130 Meadow Pipit, 3 Linnet and 21 Snow Bunting were other noteables.

April 17th: A Pink-footed Goose has joined the dwindling Greylag flock (45). Bonxies are up to 37 and 32 Common Gulls includes 10 pairs at the Buness colony. There are also 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 8 Black-headed Gulls, a Linnet, 34 Snow Buntings and a Reed Bunting.