May migrants

Two day stay - male Bluethroat (Will Scott) 

Male Redstart lingering (Andy Denton) 

Migrant Whitethroat (Andy Denton) 

Pied Flycatcher (Andy Denton) 

Death on the rocks (David Steel) 

First Hebrew Character of the year (Will Scott)

Saturday 12th May comments: The islands reopened following a two day closure (which has been the ‘norm’ since early April) with lots on offer including plenty of lingering migrant birds. The weather has improved (the rain has gone), which will help all concerned, but is it too late for our breeding Puffins? Only time will tell.

The good number of migrant birds sadly did not include our Bluethroat or Wryneck, which had departed on Friday, but we still had some stunners to show off, including several Redstarts. However the perils of migration was brought home in the matter of minutes as we discovered a dead Swallow and Willow Warbler which had not survived the night. Even more distressing, we found a Spotted Flycatcher on the ground which died moments later in my hand; a step too far on their long migration. A sad demise but the brutal realities of migrating from Africa and beyond.

Tomorrow I will bring you a roundup of the breeding seabirds, as there is plenty happening.