Common Scoters on the move

11th April 2009 - bright and sunny SW1
Rarities
At least 2 Water Pipit were again in the fields along Biggar Bank over the tide.
Offshore
Morning observations (0730-0900) produced 405 Common Scoter, 160 Sandwich Tern, 24 Gannet, 23 Red-throated Diver, 12 Kittiwake, 11 Razorbill, 4 Guillemot, 3 Little Gull and 2 Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the bright and clear conditions 17 Willow Warbler and 3 Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Overhead passage through the morning involved 20 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 12 Sand Martin and the first Lesser Redpoll of the year.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 280 Golden Plover and 8 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Little Egret remain and both Merlin and Short-eared Owl hunted over the island.