8th May

A spectacular fall of myriad migrant species, 10 of which were new for the year, was the product of the magic combination of strong overnight easterlies coupled with heavy rain. When conditions brightened in the afternoon, the rocks and walls on the west side of the island were teeming with birds. Although only about half of the island was covered on census, counts of the more numerous species included 294 Wheatears, 122 Willow Warblers, an impressive 54 Redstarts, 44 Blackcaps and 33 Tree Pipits.

The most notable species present were a male Red-backed Shrike, 5 Wrynecks, a Grasshopper Warbler, and a Wood Warbler. The long list of other small migrants included 6 Pied Flycatchers, 6 Whinchats, 10 Ring Ouzels, 25 Fieldfares, 15 Song Thrushes, a Redwing, 18 Robins, 3 Dunnocks, 2 White Wagtails, 4 Sedge Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 12 Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler, 17 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest. There were 3 Lapland Buntings and 10 Reed Buntings, while 24 Bramblings, 6 Siskins, and a couple of Redpolls were new finches.

Non-passerines didn't get much of a look in, but 4 Common Sandpipers were the first of the year, 13 Whimbrels were seen, a Woodpigeon was new and the 3 Dotterels and 4 Pochards were all still present.

Redstart