1st May

In some ways today was a something of nothing day, with dreary skies dropping no more than a light smattering of new arrivals and, most likely due to the close proximity of a narrow rain band, a waft of a southeasterly doing far less for the sea than might be have been hoped. The Serin of the last couple of days was joined by a companion in Top Fields where they provided the best of the day's rarity entertainment, even if - in the modern era at least - the second Turtle Dove at the Bill in as many days was arguably of almost equal merit. A small flourish of migrants included 50 Willow Warblers and 20 Chiffchaffs grounded at the Bill where the overhead Swallow tally crept into the low hundreds; 3 Hobbys through along West Cliffs were of note but there was precious little else that was in any way unexpected. A handful of the usual suspects on the sea included 5 Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Northern Divers and 2 Pomarine Skuas through off the Bill.

When they weren't tucked away out of view gorging on a variety of weed seeds the Serins showed quite well © Martin Cade:



This Pied Flycatcher has become a bit of a fixture at Southwell where it's now lingered for several days © Debby Saunders


And finally we were pleased to today receive from the printers our latest report that covers the years 2016 to 2018 - we were running well behind schedule with our printed literature so this represents a welcome catch-up! To save on as much postage as possible - and to save ourselves the tedious task of packaging some of them up - we'll delay posting out the reports to members for a few days to allow as many as possible to be collected by hand - if you're visiting the island do please drop in and pick up your report.