Isle of Wight April 18th-21st

Back on my native IOW for the easter break doing some birding with my brother. We didn't get lucky with anything particularly rare but there was  a steady trickle of migration. It's always nice to see birds making their first landfall after crossing the English Channel; Swallows coming in off the sea and night migrants such as Willow Warbler and Redstart delayed by the NE head wind and seen bush hopping from the cliff edge inland. A male Ring Ouzel flew past us at West High Down.
Our best find were a pair of Garganey at Brading Marsh where we also had White Wag and Whimbrel. Also of interest was a very smart looking male Stonechat showing characters of the continental race, rubicola at St Catherines Point.
We didn't have any really busy days of up-channel sea passage but there were odds and ends inlcuding a couple of Arctic Skua, a Bonxie, small numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel and a Little Gull.

Male Stonechat showing characters of the continental race rubicola at St Catherines Point. This bird had presumably just arrived as when first observed it was flying in from the cliff edge in the company of a female redstart. The orange was restricted to the central breast, the neck collar was fairly broad and the rump was rather white although still lightly streaked.

Common Redstarts and Willow Warblers newly arrived at West High Down/the Needles

Wheatear makes first landfall at St Catherines Point.

In contrast to arriving summer visitors, this tardy Redwing was at Alum Bay.