Monday 24th April

 Yet another dry, sunny, but coolish day with a light breeze with a few good birds of interest noted.

Mark Shields had 10 Whimbrel at Saligo and a singing Blackcap at Gruinart. Another singing Blackcap was clocked along with Grasshopper Warbler by Mary-Ann Featherstone at Kildalton, where she also confirms Great Spotted Woodpeckers in residence. Meanwhile, down at Portnahaven, Mary Redman saw a Buzzard heading off with a good sized Adder in its talons - the second report of this snake as prey for Buzzards this spring. Annie Rudd had 4 White-tailed Eagles on the flats at Gruinart where James How scored the best birds of the day. This morning he saw Jack Snipe and Water Rail and later, at the North Hide found a Green-winged Teal and Pectoral Sandpiper. I've been carefully checking every Teal at Gruinart the whole winter for a Green-winged, and I was at the North Hide yesterday! Below is a photo of the Pec. Sand, which I won't have a chance to go and see as I'm off-island from tomorrow morning and handing over the blog to Mark Shields for a fortnight.