27th March

Despite a seemingly similar weather pattern to yesterday there was a lot more passage happening, particularly around the obs area. The highlight of the day was the first Swift of the year over Southwell, closely followed by the lingering Hoopoe at Reap Lane. We also saw the first Yellow Wagtail of the year. Over 100 Chiffchaffs were logged once again as well as our first day of double figure Willow Warblers. Wheatear passage has slowed somewhat with just 18 recorded, the same was true for Black Redstarts with five present, however two of these were stunning males. Other migrants included five White Wagtails, two Firecrests, two Goldcrests, six Swallows, five Sand Martins and a Brambling.

In non-avian news the Large Tortoiseshell was once again in Tout Quarry and we saw our first Speckled Woods and Clouded Yellow of the year.

It's that time of year when there's action and movement everywhere you look © Martin Cade:

A rare capture indeed: an adult male Black Redstart © Martin Cade/Erin Taylor:

Suckthumb quarry is an ever reliable site for crests on the island and today was no exception 

© Roger Hewitt:

Razorbills are start to show us their softer side with plenty of billing and preening © Erin Taylor:

Apart from the inevitable Large Tortoiseshells (...it must have been a substantial release of them as they're being reported right across the island now!) butterflies are beginning to feature in both variety and quantity; both Clouded Yellow and Speckled Wood were on the wing for the first time today, whilst Commas are popping up quite widely  © Roger Hewitt (Clouded Yellow) and Ken Dolbear (Speckled Wood and Comma)