Whitethroat
A gorgeous morning, very calm and party cloudy, soon becoming warm and clear (although the cool easterly breeze was still making its presence felt); there were again few grounded migrants but those that were present made for an improvement on the last few days and included 2 Chaffinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 7 Wheatears and 3 Willow Warblers.
There were a few birds on the move in the fine conditions which comprised 30 Bar-tailed Godwits and 48 Whimbrel north, mainly in one mixed flock at dawn, 24 Common Scoter north, 2 Gadwall south, a dark phase Arctic Skua which came out of the river, stole a fish from a Lesser Black-back and carried on north, our first House Martin of the year south along with 11 Swallows and the first 2 Little Terns of the year north.
Ringing: Blackcap 1, Willow Warbler 1, Robin 1, Goldfinch 1, Lesser Redpoll 1
Female Emperor - a stunner that we don't get here every year