First fall of the spring on Fair Isle (1 Viewer)

[Fair Islander]

Woke this morning to a raging north-easterly and rain, and the first fall of migrants of the year. Hundreds of thrushes, particularly Blackbirds and Song Thrushes on the island and lots of finches, especially Chaffinch, with one flock toatalling 100+ birds in the south (there has only been one Chaffinch on the island this year before today). It's too early to expect anything rare here, but a black-bellied Dipper has arrived, and two Sandwich Terns, the second earliest date for the island, are in the havens. Great stuff. Anything happening on east coast mainland? Attached photographed in the tatty patch.

 

[StuartReeves]

Hi Paul,

No obvious increase in thrushes around these parts but certainly a lot of Chaffinches on the coast today, including a few that seemed to come in off the sea.

Cheers,

Stuart

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Didn't see any evidence of migrants around Newburgh today, despite some heavy overnight rain. Saw a Sandwich Tern a week ago, so maybe it's made its way up to you Paul. Surprisingly I didn't see any on the Ythan today.

 

[mudman]

Saw my first offshore migrants of the spring. Two Lapwing from the Murchison oil platform, block 211, northern sector of the North Sea.

 

[Birdspotter]

Hi Paul,
Despite overnight heavy rain here not a lot has happened, had a look at Aberlady this morning before travelling further out to Torness and Barns Ness.

Lots of Meadow Pipits heading west past Gullane Point this morning.

Went to Torness looking for Black Redstarts and Barns Ness hoping for a Wheatear or a Water Pipit amongst the Scandy Rockets but nought except a migrant Grey Wagtail.

Migration has been very slow this year with no Hirundines reported and our first Wheatear yesterday !

Chucking it down again tonight ! not sure from what direction though.

cheers.

 

[Docmartin]

Woke this morning to a raging north-easterly and rain, and the first fall of migrants of the year. Hundreds of thrushes, particularly Blackbirds and Song Thrushes on the island and lots of finches, especially Chaffinch, with one flock toatalling 100+ birds in the south (there has only been one Chaffinch on the island this year before today). It's too early to expect anything rare here, but a black-bellied Dipper has arrived, and two Sandwich Terns, the second earliest date for the island, are in the havens. Great stuff. Anything happening on east coast mainland? Attached photographed in the tatty patch.

Hi Paul

Nice.

Chiffie yesterday at Newtonhill, and a few extra song thrushes, but not exactly overrun.

M