NORTH RONALDSAY - 3rd May

A stunning day, light easterly winds and wall to wall sunshine; birds round Holland first thing included single Redwing, Fieldfare and Song Thrush, a Kestrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and 2 Robins.

                My first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was around the Obs (and later trapped) before I headed up the west coast census route where there was a great mix of species but not yesterday’s numbers in the fine weather which included the Hoopoe still at Nether Linney (although it never really allowed close approach), my first Redstart of the year at Trebb, a Goldfinch south along the coast, a ringtail Hen Harrier which went north, 9 awesome plumaged Snow Buntings, 3 Tree Pipits, 3 Whimbrel, a Blackcap, a Black Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat, 22 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff and 43 Wheatears.

                Popped up with some twitchers to Garso late afternoon where the Red-winged Blackbird showed well on the wires in the evening sun; a big female Sparrowhawk flew through.

Grasshopper Warbler

The Hoopoe never really let me get anywhere near it!