Thursday 23 April 2015

It was an utterly stunning day. Low winds from the south east in the morning and clear blue skies throughout meant that a continued movement of migrants took place through the island. Large numbers of common passerine migrants were recorded, and a respectable tally of noteworthy species were also seen. There were several species added to the 2015 species list during the day, namely that of the year's first Lesser Whitethroat at Cristin, Pied Flycatcher at Nant, four Greylag Geese over The Narrows and Greenshank in Henllwyn. There were also some good records of scarcities during the day, including the year's second Siberian Chiffchaff, a Little Egret in Henllwyn and a Black Guillemot off the South End. In terms of warblers, 115 Blackcaps, 89 Willlow Warblers and 39 Chiffchaffs took the top places for abundance, whilst six Grasshopper Warblers, 16 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler and three Whitethroats were also logged. Total figures for other passerine migrants comprised three Skylarks, 43 Sand Martins, 91 Swallows, 8 House Martins, a Tree Pipit, a Song Thrush, 15 White Wagtails, 83 Wheatears, a Common Redstart, a Black Redstart and a single Ring Ouzel. It was a decent day for waders too, aside the Greenshank, with two Bar-tailed Godwits, two Ringed Plovers, five Dunlins, one Snipe, 12 Whimbrels, a Curlew and five Common Sandpipers recorded.

This smart male Black Redstart has been present for two days now, hanging around the Abbey at the North End

Swallows are beginning to return to a few of the out buildings on the island

Bar-tailed Godwit

2 comments:

  1. Glad you have had a stunning say's birding. Marvellous shots of the Blackstat an also the 2 flight shots.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lluniau BENdigedig unwaith eto!!!!!!!! Gwych

    ReplyDelete