18th May

Another much appreciated damp, grey day saw a small influx of common migrants to our shores. Once again Spotted Flycatchers and Reed Warblers provided the bulk of the migrants with both reaching well into double figures with 11 Spotted Flycatchers trapped in the garden and 28 elsewhere. A Redstart trapped at the obs was the first recorded since the 12th and was accompanied by a selection of other common migrants including three each of Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, and Whinchat. The Southwell Turtle Dove continues to loiter, associating with the Stock Doves frequenting the seed piles in various gardens. The wader fest occurring on the ledges continued along the same theme with just two Grey Plovers, a Common Sandpiper and a Dunlin. The sea had a touch more variety than in previous days with three Skua species present including two Pomarines, as well as four Shelducks and the lone Puffin.

Doing what it says on the tin... a Garden Warbler in the obs garden ©Martin Cade: