11th March

After the rainstorms of the night before it was a relief to wake to a crisp, clear morning that melted away into a reasonably calm and warm afternoon. The relatively calmed wind accompanied by blue skies meant we saw a little more movement today with a pair of Wheatears and a Song Thrush along the East Cliffs, three Chiffchaffs in the garden and a slow trickle of Meadow Pipits in off the Sea. The morning seawatch produced little more than three Common Scoters.

Elsewhere on the island, three Chiffchaffs were recorded at Church Ope Cove, a Swallow passed through at Ferrybridge and the Large Tortoiseshell put in another brief display in Tout quarry.

Both of the East Cliff Wheatears were stunning males, and also exceptional escapologists © Erin Taylor: