7th and 8th May

Overcast and chilly with a brisk and increasing NE wind on the 7^th limited new arrivals across the island with most of the migrants recorded consisting of lingering birds from previous days; the Red-winged Blackbird still remained, still looking settled while other migrant totals included single Kestrel and Merlin, a Sand Martin, single Redstart and Ring Ouzel, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warblers and single Chaffinch, Siskin and Redpoll sp.

Lesser Whitethroat,  photo Simon Davies

                The opposite way round for the 8^th with an overcast start with a brisk but decreasing N wind and spells of brightness; Red-winged Blackbird aside, the highlight was probably all four species of Diver seen throughout the day with 2 bonny summer plumaged White-billed Divers lingering off Torness in the afternoon, the equally bonny summer plumaged Black-throated Diver again in Nouster along with totals of 11 Great-northern and 3 Red-throated Divers.

                Waders were also looking fine in their breeding attire, especially the 197 Sanderling along The Links along with 70 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 314 Turnstone.   A few reminders of winter still remained however with 3 Pink-footed Geese still along with the lonely Whooper Swan and 3 Snow Buntings.

                Migrant totals showed some signs of a turnover of birds including the spring's third Grey Wagtail, a Kestrel, a Tree Pipit, a Rock Pipit, 2 Robins, single Redstart and Ring Ouzel again, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, 6 Chiffchaffs, 13 Willow Warblers, 2 Brambling, a Siskin, a Redpoll sp. and a trickle of Corvid passage including 2 Carrions Crows and some migrant Hooded Crows upsetting the locals.

I'd have a bit of a dance as well if I looked as fine as these Sanderling,  photos Simon Davies