31st March: The final day of the month proved to be the most glorious, weather-wise - with a cool but very light NNE'ly wind, a blue sky and bright sunshine. Birding was not too bad either with Red-throated Diver, Carrion Crow and Sand Martin added to the year list before lunch and a fine male Lapland Bunting, near the Plantation, in the afternoon being the 99th species of the year. Other sightings and counts of note included Oystercatcher (112), Knot, Black-headed Gull (50), Stock Dove (3), Wood Pigeon (114), Grey Wagtail (5), 'nominate' Wren (2), Robin (75), Dunnock (5), Blackbird (400), Fieldfare (57), Song Thrush (250), Redwing (110), Mistle Thrush (7), Goldcrest (35), Rook, Hooded Crow (10), Carrion Crow (3), 'migrant' Raven (5), Chaffinch (120), Brambling (2), Greenfinch (5), Linnet, Snow Bunting (22), Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting (3). The Black-bellied Dipper remains in the Vaadal. Hopefully, we can make Wheatear the 100th species tomorrow!!!?

March 30th: The wind was light and back in the east and with sunshine and blue sky it made fo a very pleasant day to be out. The first Bonxie of the year before breakfast was a good start. Thrush numbers were still reasonably high and two Black Redstarts were seen. Without a doubt, the star bird of the day (and the year so far) was an adult male King Eider seen flying past South Light and along the west cliffs. This is the first since 1991 but was unfortunately only enjoyed by one person -the happy Warden :-) The first two Puffins in Furse after lunch were welcome and by tea time there were at least 40 in Finniequoy. Four Greenfinches, a Yellowhammer, a Dunnock and a Chiffchaff appeared in the Obs garden in the evening, indicating some late arrivals. The Black-bellied Dipper remains in Gully/Vaadal.

March 29th: A fairly quiet day (compared to the most recent past) but Redwings had increased to 120 and the Wood Pigeon count is now up to 144. A Common Crossbill was an early addition to the year list. A Moorhen was in the Chalet garden and the Sandwich Tern still in Furse.

March 28th: The wind has moved round to SW but the fog lingered for most of the day. The Black-bellied Dipper is now in the Gully and a Sandwich Tern lingered in North Haven. The overwintering Long-eared Owl was retrapped in the Obs Plantation and another was found at Setter. Black-headed Gulls (170) and thrushes were still abundant with 1,000 Blackbird, 350 Song Thrush, 77 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing and 17 Mistle Thrush. Geese were moving later on with 98 Greylag noted whilst the Wood Pigeons all remain with 108 counted and Lapwings increased to 418. Other counts included Grey Heron (8), Woodcock (26), Common Gull (35), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Skylark (300), Meadow Pipit (22), Grey Wagtail (2), White Wagtail (5), Pied Wagtail (3), Robin (66), Stonechat, Goldcrest (4), Chaffinch (66), Greenfinch, Yellowhammer (3) and Reed Bunting (4).

February 2006: Highlights: The Common Buzzard remained throughout accompanied by wintering Kestrel and Merlin (2) and a Peregrine (20^th). Very strong winds (17^th) caused gulls to seek shelter on the isle, including three each of Iceland Gull (adult and two 1stW) and Glaucous Gull (all 1stW) – with further birds occasionally to months end. Arrivals included a Pied Wagtail (12^th), Ringed Plover (17^th), Wood Pigeon (19^th), Rook (21^st) and Mealy Redpoll (24^th-28^th).

Oystercatchers trickled through all month (peak of just 40) and Skylarks from mid-month. The wintering female Chaffinch at the Obs was last seen on 20^th and a male on 10^th. Thrush numbers remained fairly high (200 Fieldfare, 80 Redwing, 30 Blackbird, 10 Song Thrush) with 55 Twite (19^th), until snow caused a clearout on 26^th. Other peak counts included Greylag (107), Lapwing (27), Common Snipe (100), Jack Snipe (4), Curlew (9), Redshank (50), Purple Sandpiper (27), Turnstone (75), Water Rail (4) and a Moorhen.

January 2006: Highlights: A 2^nd winter Glaucous Gull was seen on 2^nd and a 1^st winter on 13^th. A ‘small’ Canada Goose on 9^th did not stay long enough to be identified to race. A Common Buzzard flew through on 29^th.

The wintering goose flock peaked at 63 Greylag Geese, joined by two Pink-feet on 26^th. A lone adult Whooper Swan lingered thoughout. Small numbers of Mallard, Teal and Wigeon were noted throughout and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks and Goldeneyes were seen occasionally and a Goosander (8^th).  A Great Northern Diver was spotted (21^st-22^nd) and a Slavonian Grebe (15^th-16^th).  Peak wader counts were 41 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 100 Turnstone and 80 Common Snipe with Woodcock, Jack Snipe, Dunlin and Purple Sandpipers also noted and the first returning Oystercatchers (26^th). Raptors were represented by Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine and a Long-eared Owl. (Photo Deryk Shaw)

Passerine highlights included a few Skylarks and (unusually) Meadow Pipits, a handful of Robins plus thrushes, including unusually high numbers of Fieldfares (200+) and a Mistle Thrush (17^th). A Chaffinch, a good flock of 72 Twite but just a maximum of 15 Snow Buntings were also noted.