Whimbrel numbers continue to build

1st May 2007 - bright and sunny E 4/5
Offshore
Clear conditions and a strong offshore wind (0715-0815) combined to produce few sightings. Highlights were 80 Sandwich Tern, 40 Common Scoter, 20 Arctic Tern, 5 Guillemot and 3 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
The Hooded Crow remains and totals of 29 Wheatear, 14 Willow Warbler and a single Whinchat and Chiffchaff included some new arrivals.
Diurnal Migration
No coordinated observations were undertaken although a late Grey Wagtail and Merlin were logged and 2 Swift flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A single drake Pintail continues to linger. The single "black" Ruff and at least 2 Purple Sandpiper remain along with 4 Bar-tailed Godwit resplendent in their summer plumage and a flock of 200 Sanderling fed on the edge of the tide. A check of all the usual sites produced a total of 54 Whimbrel.
Breeding Birds
A further increase in the number of Sedge Warbler at breeding sites occurred, two Reed Warbler continue to hold territory and good numbers of Lesser Whitethroat remain scattered across the island.
Butterflies
The first Red Admiral of the year was recorded.