The sky is still dark and threatening but the air is drying out after nearly 3 days of wind, cold, intermittent precipitation and fog.
Wednesday and Thursday nights were the most benign with dense fog being the significant feature.
The unsettled weather brought us pulses of migrants, particularly on the foggy nights. The majority of arrivals were WHITE THROATED & SAVANNAH SPARROWS, with a bit of rollover with the FLICKERS.
On Thursday & Friday a few BARN SWALLOWS searched for a meal, likely unsuccessfully, amid light but nearly continuous rain showers and 30 knot winds.
A least one PEREGRINE was seen every day for the past week, while "pairs" were seen interacting on a half dozen occasions.
A couple MERLINS hunted the island for a few hours each, as did SHARP SHINNED HAWKS at several different times.
The Alcids were ashore in strength for the first half of this week but have been gone completely for the last 3 days. I'll qualify that: gone virtually completely. I combed the island yesterday and saw 1 RAZORBILL exiting a nest site and 2 MURRES on eggs.
Predators around sometimes scares of some Alcids but usually most just dive under cover until the coast is clear.
Something is different this year and I'm afraid of what it might be.
Lots of CORMORANTS migrating and EIDERS seem to be settling in for the breeding season.
Gulls are scouting and claiming nest sites.
LEACH'S STORM PETRELS are also settling in.
Tuesday and Wednesday nights easily qualify as "Petrel Nights" with the air full of their chuckles almost until dawn.
Got in the first lawn mowing and it's about ready for another cut.
Also pushed some peas into the ground yesterday. Likely a bit early but ....... maybe, just maybe.
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