19th April

Another of our incremental improvements today saw both higher numbers on the ground and a stronger visible passage overhead: Turtle Dove and Lesser Whitethroat were additions to the year-list at the Bill where 150 Willow Warblers made up the bulk of a decent little dawn arrival, 2 Common Sandpipers at Hamm Beach were also new for the year whilst a good passage of hirundines developed along Chesil during the afternoon; 2 Jays at Ventnor Road were the day's only island oddities. The island-wide tally of slightly more infrequent migrants included 3 Whinchats, 2 White Wagtails, 2 Redstarts, a Yellow Wagtail and a Grasshopper Warbler, with 4 Red-throated and a lone Great Northern Diver the best of a poor return from the sea at the Bill.

Wheatear and Fulmar at the Bill this morning © Joe Stockwell and a wader selection from Ferrybridge © Debby Saunders: