Bird Highlights - May



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 5^th), Whinchat (1-2 on 6 dates to 12^th). On 2^nd May the first Lesser Whitethroat arrived (there was another on the 8^th), with two Grasshopper Warblers. Willow Warbler passage peaked with 20 on the 4^th and 7^th. On the 5^th May a single Siskin passed through but the undoubted highlight of the month was a Nightjar which delighted visitors and staff alike until the 7^th. The 6^th 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 21^st. A Cuckoo on the 7^th was one of only two records for the month. Teal were regular but more unusual were a pair of Garganey on the 10^th. A Pomerine Skua passed Skomer Head on the 11^th and four Bar-tailed Godwits passed later that morning, heading north.

Spotted Flycatcher - Richard Allen

The 18^th 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 26^th). 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 2^nd, 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 6^th. 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 19^th. The first Razorbill chicks were seen on the 26^th May and the first Guillemot chicks a day later.

Razorbill with egg - Sally Harris

The month ended with two more Reed Warblers (on the 21^st and 24^th) and another Red Kite on the 25^th. A last passage Redstart was seen on the 26^th, a day when the months only Robin put in an appearance. Whilst on the 29^th two male Tufted Ducks rested on North Pond.

Alan Harris

Skomer Volunteer