by Greg Lee
The easterly wind picked up overnight and made for quite a breezy census this morning on the island. Yesterday, we were treated to a good spectacle of migration with the change in the wind direction with many Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Swallows arriving well into the afternoon. So, I had hopes that a few new birds for the year would follow suit this morning. The normally sheltered Millcombe was more of a wind funnel today, with lots of the vegetation shaking in the breeze and causing birds to drop deep into the scrub. Nonetheless, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were flitting through, with some individuals even singing, creating a rich soundscape as I worked my way through the area. Though the numbers we had seen during a brief evening ringing session last night appeared to have moved on in the conditions, there was still plenty to look for and appreciate. As I headed up the road towards the village, the scent of the Alexanders wafting in the air, a bit of movement caught my eye in the trees to my left. Sure enough, I then sighted a quivering, orange/red tail attached to a very fine male Redstart, our first for the year. The bird looked at home amongst the trees, catching insects and feeding up to get that last bit of energy that may take it to a lush, Celtic rainforest woodland in a secluded Welsh valley, or perhaps even further north to Scotland. Thomas also scored an island year-tick when he reported a Tree Pipit buzzing northwards over the village, not long after a Jackdaw flew through. The rest of census saw a few more warblers in interesting places, with a Chiffchaff low in the long grass near Quarter Wall and a Willow Warbler scrambling around the staff accommodation in the village. Meanwhile, a few brave Swallows and Sand Martins were being pushed along the island by the tailwind.
Redstart by G.Lee
Later on, the breeze died down and it was quite a muggy day. This allowed for a new cohort of guests to arrive on the island, but also another opportunity to look at Millcombe, where, like yesterday, there were plenty of birds up in the trees and in the bushes. Notably an increase in Blackcaps compared to this morning, which was pleasing to see as we approach peak passage time for this species. The tinkling of Goldfinch charms was also very evident and there obviously had been a small arrival of these birds as they noisily called to each other in loose flocks over my head. Tollie, our volunteer ranger, also managed to spot a Firecrest in the square. A Red Admiral zipping through was also a good harbinger for our butterfly transect tomorrow with Green-veined Whites also spotted yesterday across the island.