A Blue Fulmar and 2 Whimbrel went north past Whitburn Obs early morning. Sea birds were slow to get moving as the mist and drizzle cleared. As I arrived at the obs it was to a chorus of singing migrants dropped in by the rain yesterday. Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, Willow Warblers and my first Song Thrush of the year were all in song
This is what i saw in order of appearance
Monday 28th April 05.30-07.30 NNW2 mist and drizzle clearing
Cormorant 1n 23s
Kittiwake 560n
Gannet 80n 9s
Fulmar 129n
Common Scoter 1n 9s
Eider 2n 2s
Common Gull 8n
Sandwich Tern 3s
Turnstone 6n
Blue Fulmar 1n L
Shelduck 1s
Whimbrel 2n
Gadwall 2s
Common Tern 1s
Other birds around the obs included
Moorhen, Grasshopper Warbler,Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Willow Warblers and Song Thrush
Sunday 27th April the sea watch was abandoned as i couldn't see my hand in front of my face so i headed to Hartlepool Headland where the weather was better.Plenty of migrant were on offer if you were prepared to work for them. I saw Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, Redstart, Black Redstart and plenty of common warblers but star bird was the often elusive Wood Warbler. Sadly I wasn't lucky enough to see it in the hand
