SCP

Slim pickings, early AM...a smart white wag was about it. Weak overhead passage.

Marsh harrier

I hadn't seen this bird before, so probably new in (south end of the marsh). The other male knocking about Brading is more likely to be a 3cy.

Last couple of days

I tried a few spots early doors....

LRP at Brading NR - my spring 1st

 This marsh harrier appeared to be a 3cy male - the grey in the upper tail is becoming more noticeable. And it was showing interest in the female-type.

 Displaying GC grebes - up to four present in this area. Also accompanied by the sounds of a bittern booming, cettis, and chiffchaffs singing.

Chiffchaffs everywhere - in off and fly-catching

And Long-eared owls

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Ventnor)

One was seen and reported late yesterday evening at Wheelers Bay (John Sturt). It was seen again early this morning by many (Pete and Andy etc) - I couldn't resist a local twitch...Only the Island's 2nd record. 'Showed well' to put it mildly. Often seen in the bramble devouring the local caterpillar population (esp. Brown-tail). [Stayed a few weeks till April 18th at least]. 

Just before abandoning our post - a couple of black reds were at SCP lighthouse

SCP

Fall of chiffs [24] and more wheatears [6] around the lighthouse, slopes, valley and windy corner..

SCP

Lighter mornings + spring = more birding (in theory)...

SCP 18th +19th early doors: 06:00 - 08:45

18th: White wagtail, firecrest, c40 mipit in-off, and a chiffchaff in-off that made its way north over the fields. 

19th: Wheatear (m), otherwise quiet. A few canada geese east. Small numbers of mipits. A flock of carrion crow (10) decided to head out to sea in a due south direction - presumably to cross it..

Brading Marsh this evening at dusk: a bittern 'booming' and a barn owl hunting. Plus a bat spp. 

Ryde canoe lake

LSW

Went looking for them anyway. Habitat looks spot on and old records give me hope..

SCP

Gave the sea some attention in the morning, 06:50 - 08:45, but it was uneventful with precious little to report.
And the one bird that did pass by and looked interesting, I couldn't quite suss - and still trying to. It was probably a slavonian grebe?
Given its distance out over the sea it was barely worth photographing- then I changed my mind and attempted something.

Scope views: the speculum didn't seem to extend into the inner primaries (so perhaps slav like); but then its leading edge wasn't obviously white (more BN like). Looked dark overall.

???

LBB

Brading

Only a fleeting visit to Brading Marshes...first swallow (March 4th?!) with a sand martin..