Lots of nice variety today but in quieter, less windy conditions overall numbers of migrants dropped off a little. The Pallas's Warbler lingered for another day at Avalanche Road but the best of the day's newcomers were single Hawfinches at the Bill and Southwell, a Great White Egret departing to the south from the Bill, 3 Bullfinches, a Ring Ouzel and a Yellowhammer there, and a late Willow Warbler at May Bower Gardens; a scatter of at least 15 Black Redstarts, 3 Siberian Chiffchaffs and 3 Firecrests - several of each were lingerers - further ensured there was plenty of scarcity interest for weekend visitors. Goldcrests continued to trickle through, with 15 or more through at the Bill and several aggregations approaching that number elsewhere around the island; a few new thrushes, Stonechats, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were also in evidence but in general grounded totals were on the low side. Overhead passage was also a little subdued, with 180 Chaffinches, 156 Stock Doves, 80 Redwings, 75 Skylarks, 50 Meadow Pipits, 20 Song Thrushes, 13 Golden Plovers (another 7 were grounded at Barleycrates Lane) and few single figure totals of the less common species through over the Bill. The sea was also relatively quiet save for 430 Mediterranean Gulls through off the Bill; 3 passing Wigeon were the only oddities there.
