April Awaits

It's been a great start to the year and the last day of March saw us clock up 100 species for the year, when Brambling (five were seen throughout the day), Jackdaw and Common Redpoll were all noted for the first time in 2014.
The fresh easterly wind seemed to be encouraging a few birds to keep their heads down and the Bluetail had either departed (which seems most likely) or perhaps relocated to another, as yet unknown, area on the Isle. There were still 123 Robins counted, with most of the trapped birds today being 'new' suggesting a probable turnover of individuals, whilst species showing increased counts since Sunday included 52 Dunnock, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Greenfinch and 2 Short-eared Owl, whilst a Woodcock was the first for a while and Jack Snipe and Black Redstart were also new. Three Iceland Gulls were again present, presumably birds lingering from recent sightings.

Male Siskin (Ciaran Hatsell).

Male Reed Bunting (Ciaran Hatsell). A decent variety of birds are turning up in the traps as the spring progresses.

We've now entered the month of Song Sparrows, White Storks, Sandhill Crane, Calandra Larks, Collared Flycatcher, Dartford Warbler and Magpie: basically, just about anything is possible and, with easterlies for the rest of the week, it could happen sooner rather than later...