26th March

Quieter on the numbers front today with the sky too clear to have expected a repeat of the little flurries logged at the weekend. Wheatears were more conspicuous, including 20 at the Bill, but Chiffchaff and Goldcrest both dropped back into low single figure totals there where variety included 3 Redwings, 3 Firecrests, 2 Black Redstarts and singles of Short-eared Owl, White Wagtail, Willow Warbler, Brambling and Bullfinch. Elsewhere, 2 Sand Martins through at Ferrybridge were the first hirundines logged anywhere on the island so far this spring (...has there ever been a year without a hirundine before this date? - we can't remember one). The only other reports were of 12 Red-throated Divers and 6 Common Scoter through off the Bill and a lone Redshank at Ferrybridge.

Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone at the Bill over the weekend © David Sawyer: