15th April 2015 – A raft of migrants after a foggy start

Tim Jones reports the following highlights for Wednesday 15th April, a day which started with the island shrouded in fog: 500 Swallows, 130 House Martins and 45 Sand Martins, along with one Swift, seen by Paul Holt. Warblers were fewer in number but still plentiful: 200 Willow Warblers, 150 Chiffchaffs and 60 Blackcaps. Tony John saw a Dunlin at Quarters Pond and Tim found a Redshank in Brick Field. The Black Guillemot was still in the Landing Bay, and a Cormorant in breeding plumage was at North End (though unlikely to be breeding there!). Among raptors were four Kestrels, one or two Sparrowhawks and a couple of Merlins. Other counts included 45 Wheatears and 125 Linnets. Black Redstarts were seen at North Light and in VC Quarry, with a Common Redstart close to a Hoopoe (probably the one seen at Mousehole & Trap on 12th) feeding in Gannets' Combe. A Shelduck and several Whimbrels (calling in the mist, but not seen) passed off the East Side, while a Redwing graced St Helen's Field briefly.

Tony John's actinic moth-trap run until midnight at Little St John's on the night of 14th/15th lured in seven Dark Sword-grass and a Bordered Straw, in addition to resident species such as Early Thorn.

Hoopoe in Gannets' Combe – Tim Jones