1st May

The beginning of May should usually herald the start of the rarity season, with the first week of the month historically seeing the likes of Lesser Short-toed Lark, Spectacled Warbler and Subalpine Warblers. This year, however, May started with a dismal display with next to nothing of note on either the land or sea. Virtually an entire days seawatch produced a single Pomarine Skua, one apiece of Arctic Skua and Sandwich Tern, three Bonxies and 15 Manx Shearwaters. The land didn't fare much better with little more of note than a single Redstart, a singing Lesser Whitethroat at the obs and a handful of Wheatears and Whinchats across the Bill.