The Rough-legged Buzzard remained on St Martin’s throughout the month with the occasional trip to St Mary’s and the Hen Harrier was also seen there. Two Cattle Egrets were on Tresco. An elusive Great Bittern was reported from St Mary’s on a couple of occasions in the second half of the month. The Cetti’s Warbler was singing and showing occasionally from Higher Moors and a Scandinavian Rock Pipit was at Periglis, St Agnes on the 22nd. Wheatears and Black Redstarts were evident towards the latter half of the month and included a couple of stunning males. Sand Martin sightings also increased and a Woodcock was on Gugh. Spring migrants continued to arrive with White Wagtails on St Mary’s and Tresco on the 22nd and a Hen Harrier was on Bryher. A Hoopoe was on St Agnes on 23rd. The following day an Arctic Skua flew NE past Mount Todden and a Short-eared Owl was at the woodpile, Tresco. The first Willow Warblers of the year were singing at Porth Hellick. The first Puffin of the year was seen from the Garrison on the 25th.
On the 27th an adult Night Heron was at Porth Hellick but this was overshadowed by an Avocet on St Agnes which was the first record for Scilly since 2008! A female Cetti’s Warbler was controlled at Porth Hellick on the 29th giving hope that the resident male may at last get a partner! Elsewhere, an Osprey was over Porthloo and two Swallows and a Marsh Harrrier were on St Agnes. The Avocet was relocated on Bryher the following day and a Ring Ouzel was at the campsite there. Two female Bramblings were at Troytown, St Agnes. On the 31st five Pochard, male Pintail, over 40 Sand Martins, a swallow, a House Martin and four Whimbrel were on Tresco.