A strong southeasterly and plenty of rain yesterday was presumably responsible for the good numbers of Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Redwings on the island today that also included 7 Song Thrushes. A walk around Skaw also produced a juvenile Glaucous Gull, a Wood Pigeon and a Snow Bunting. The same Glaucous Gull was then present at Lamba Ness. At Norwick we saw our first Sparrowhawk for the year, we flushed a Woodcock, there were 2 Wood Pigeon, a new Dunnock and our first Goldcrest of the year. The juvenile Iceland Gull was still present at Uyeasound. Nearby we saw a migrant flock of 26 Ringed Plovers in one of the fields towards Muness. Best was saved to last as 2 Jack Snipe were seen busily feeding sewing-machine-style in the open at Haroldswick pools this evening.
clearly using a slightly inferior washing powder to RJF's Iceland Gull today!
Our first for the year although Brydon has been watching one successfully overwinter at Halligarth
Woodcock at Norwick
Juvenile Iceland Gull at Uyeasound
