18th May

More of the same today: always the feel that there was something to be unearthed but whatever it was it didn't materialise or couldn't be found! The migrant tally ticked along with a scatter of Wheatears, Whinchats, Reed Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Spotted Flycatchers dotted about on the ground and a few Swifts and hirundines - along with 2 each of Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail - through overhead; in the context of the island and what we're hoping it might presage, an increase to 3 Corn Buntings - 2 together at Barleycrates Lane and the single at the Bill - were a very welcome sight. Offshore, an unexpected resurgence in Common Scoter passage saw 200 logged passing the Bill, with 2 Balearic Shearwaters also through there; additionally, overnight the first Storm Petrel of the year was sound-lured and trapped at the Bill tip.

One of the day's half a dozen Spotted Flycatchers © Debby Saunders: