We are on Skomer for a few days helping with the jobs needed to get the island ready for visitors (when they are allowed to come, hopefully late April based on WG guidance).
It started very well not long after our arrival on Thursday with the Alpine Swift that had been found earlier by Richard & Giselle on Skokholm, and then seen briefly on Skomer. A classic early spring overshoot but notoriously difficult to catch up with, the bird reappeared again on Skomer late afternoon (thanks Leighton) and was watched until around 7pm. It was clearly still around somewhere on the island yesterday morning (though we didn't see it) before flying over the Deer Park and then presumably on to the south coast where Annie & Bob picked it up.
Yesterday the highlight were 3 Ring Ouzel, 2 of which were adult males, the other a female/2CY (nicely found on South Plateau by Assistant Warden Ceris).
Much quieter for migrants today, although a male Common Whitethroat was our first of the year. Highlight was an amazing encounter between a Raven and a rather scraggy Carrion Crow - it clearly looked as if the Raven was trying to drive the crow to the ground (the encounter lasted for a good 10 minutes), perhaps for a kill? The crow disappeared out of view near the steps and the Raven left empty handed. It also provided a nice in-flight comparison of the 2 species. (Dave & Lisa)
