April highlights!

Raven, Lewis Yates

A Lapwing at North Pond on the 11^th was the first highlight of the month. Once a breeding bird on Skomer this species is now, sadly, just an occasional visitor. On the 12^th a Nightingale was discovered in North Valley, this is the first record since 2004 and a county description species. It was seen briefly as it flew to and from its favourite bush. However, the Nightingale wasn’t the only excitement for the day; a Great Skua was also seen feeding on a Lesser Black-backed Gull just off the north coast. We finally caught up with the House Martins with three seen at the Garland Stone on the 13^th. Two Mealy Redpolls posed nicely for Dave Boyle as he took photos on the 13^th. The Short-eared Owls were observed throughout the month and were seen ‘wing clapping’ mid-month. It remains to be seen whether or not these birds will breed on the island this year. Common Snipe were flushed on 7 days in April, with a peak day count of four on the 15^th.

Grasshopper Warbler, Lewis Yates

The first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was heard on the 16^th, followed by singles on the 20^th and 23^rd, two on the 21^st, three on the 24^th and four on the 26^th. Lone Goldcrests were seen on just two days in April, the 18^th and 26^th. The 20^th proved busy for birds, with the first Sedge Warblers and Whimbrel recorded as well as 114 Willow Warblers, the peak count for the year so far. The first Common Redstart for the year was noted on the 22^nd and on this date the first Raven family fledged at The Amos, having raised four young. Other breeding birds were also busy, with the first Guillemot and Razorbill eggs noted on the 23^rd, also, the first Cuckoo of the year visited on the 23^rd, followed by singles on the 25^th, 26^th and 30th. A female Hawfinch paid a visit on the 24th in North Valley. 50 Blackcaps were counted on the 26^th along with the first Common Whitethroat of the season. The first two Swifts passed over in the 28^th and the first Whinchat was recorded on the 30^th. Merlins were observed throughout April with up to two seen on 11 days and, finally, by the end of the month three Manx Shearwater eggs had been recorded in study burrows.

Whinchat, Lewis Yates

Sarah Harris,

Assistant Warden.