22nd to 30th March

I've just returned from 9 days on the island from 22nd to 30th March. The weather was dry and very cold with strong easterly winds, but there were plenty of birds to see. Up to 3 peregrines were seen most days on both east and west sides. 40+ razorbills were seen on the 28th off the east side. A grey heron flew over the island on the 23rd and was seen again on the 26th at Rocket Pole pond. The sheep field near the Tavern produced a number of sightings with numerous wheatears, meadow pipits, pied wagtails, crows and robins, a song thrush on the 30th, a little ringed plover on the 26th and 29th, and the solitary chough which fed regularly in the sheep field and then usually flew off towards Old Light/Rocket Pole where I also saw it feeding on the west side before it flew back to the village area. 40 or 50 plus skylarks and meadow pipits were seen on the top of the island. Up to 3 gannets were seen close to the east side on most days. A male stonechat was seen on the east sidelands on the 23rd, 24th, 27th and 28th. Finally a goldcrest was seen on the 26th near Millcombe House.

Chough

Wheatear

Gannet

Little Ringed Plover