Male Garganey - Richard Allen |
The first day of the month opened with a flurry of year
firsts – Pied Flycatcher, Common Sandpiper, Garden Warbler (2) along with a
Ring Ouzel, and the first week continued with small arrivals of Redstart (max
of 4 on 5th), Whinchat (1-2 on 6 dates to 12th). On 2nd
May the first Lesser Whitethroat arrived (there was another on the 8th),
with two Grasshopper Warblers. Willow Warbler passage peaked with 20 on the 4th
and 7th. On the 5th May a single Siskin passed through
but the undoubted highlight of the month was a Nightjar which delighted
visitors and staff alike until the 7th. The 6th May
accounted for several Skomer oddities with Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull and
Blue Tit, whilst the first Yellow Wagtail occurred, a precursor of seven
singles up until the 21st. A Cuckoo on the 7th was one of
only two records for the month. Teal were regular but more unusual were a pair
of Garganey on the 10th. A Pomerine Skua passed Skomer Head on the
11th and four Bar-tailed Godwits passed later that morning, heading
north.
Spotted Flycatcher - Richard Allen |
The 18th was a day of fresh arrivals with the years first
Reed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher passage peaked at 10, another Siskin flew over
and a Turtle Dove was found (which lingered to the 26th). Two Red
Kites soared over and the second Cuckoo of the month appeared. On the wader
front, Whimbrel were regular in the first half of the month with a maximum of
10 on the 2nd, whilst Dunlin produced 19 sightings in the latter
half of the month. Turnstone passage was sparse with four records, a maximum of
four on the 6th. Turning to our seabirds, the first returning Storm
Petrels were located – 6 at North Haven, whilst Puffins were first seen
carrying sandeels back for their chicks on the 19th. The first
Razorbill chicks were seen on the 26th May and the first Guillemot
chicks a day later.
Razorbill with egg - Sally Harris |
The month ended with two more Reed Warblers (on the 21st
and 24th) and another Red Kite on the 25th. A last
passage Redstart was seen on the 26th, a day when the months only
Robin put in an appearance. Whilst on the 29th two male Tufted Ducks
rested on North Pond.
Alan Harris
Skomer Volunteer
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