24th April

As the days of gusting easterlies have progressed, passage up the west side of the island has increased;  this came to a head today as watchers on the cliffs and at Chesil Cove were treated to some classic spring vis-mig oddities: highlights from Chesil were a Serin and Cuckoo in over the beach, while the West Cliffs saw an incoming Marsh Harrier and Hobby. Both sites had triple figures of Swallows and Sand Martins, as well as a trickle of Swifts and House Martins. Yellow Wagtails were conspicuous on both the land and overhead with 32 recorded across the island. Other passerine migrants were much thinner on the ground and were represented by singles of Pied Flycatcher and Redstart in the Obs garden and a Sedge Warbler along the clifftops.

The sea was eventful once again with the day's highlights two Pomarine Skuas, 17 Arctic Skuas and two Black-throated Divers. Waders continued to move in slightly smaller overall numbers but greater variety with both Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwits falling just short of 200; the Grey Plover tally included 14 at Chesil where 16 Redshanks was also a notable total. The evening watch witnessed another movement of Little Gulls with 20 through off Chesil.                                                                   

The few migrants that have managed to battle through the wind were skulking deep within the bushes © Steve Hunting:


The first Swifts of the year are always a welcome sight © Joe Stockwell:


The passage at Chesil Cove and Ferrybridge continued to be spectacular © Joe Stockwell (Grey Plover, wader flocks & Gannets) and © Pete Saunders (Greenshank):