13th May
Covered several sites whilst delivering record cards to the bulletin authors. Best find of day was a fine Great White Egret at Druridge Pools plus a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver past Snab Pt, Cresswell which landed on sea. Also caught up with a few migrants for year with 2 Greenshank on flash north of bells Farm, Cresswell, a Little Gull at Cresswell Pond and Lesser Whitethroat at West Hartford plus 3 Whimbrel at St Marys Island. First Willow tits of year at Prestwick Carr, always a reliable site.
14th May
All day on Holy Island and managed to see the Dotterel on Crooked Lonnen opposite the cottage at seaward end. First for me for county after almost annual in Norfolk. On to Straight Lonnen and found a lost Lapwing chick on the path which looked like it had been dropped by a predator so managed to put it at side of track. Then after some wait views were obtained of the male Bluethroat in the Willows at N end of Straight Lonnen. A very skulking bird well picked up by Chris Knox. On to the Vicar’s Garden and the male Red-backed Shrike showed well. Rung by Mike Carr to advise me to get to Chare Ends but no sign of the Subalpine Warbler seen mid afternoon. However better views of a female Bluethroat which behaved well for a change. What is termed a good day on the island !
Tim Dean
