Wall to wall blue skies, warm sunshine and a gentle southeasterly breeze. Skaw produced 3 'Northern' Golden Plovers, a Chiffchaff and a Spotted Flycatcher. Norwick was quiet albeit the Common Crane had returned but otherwise I only saw a Lesser Whitethroat and a female Blackcap. Haroldswick was better seeing our first Short-eared Owl of the year and a Mealy Redpoll. Burrafirth was playing host to a Common Sandpiper, a Sand Martin, 2 House Martins and a few Swallows and a Spotted Flycatcher. As I stopped at Northdale, Mary stopped to share a few words - that must have brought me some good luck - as just after she left I scanned the fencelines and picked out a Lesser Grey Shrike - deja vu having found one with RJF at the very same site last Autumn! There was also a Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Tree Sparrows present.
Male 'Northern' Golden Plover at Skaw
Sedge Warbler in song at Haroldswick
Short-eared Owl at Haroldswick
Mealy Redpoll at Haroldswick
Lesser Grey Shrike at NorthDale
