1st–15th May
Unpredictable May opened with acceptable weather – not too much northerlies and at least plus degrees. Two confiding Common Kestrels hung around searching for prey.
The Greater Short-toed Lark stayed until the 5th. A Common Grasshopper Warbler, the year´s first Common Cuckoo and a White-tailed Eagle were the most notable from the 6th. One of the better days was the 7th with arrivals of lots of Eurasian Blackcaps, estimated at 130 and thereby duplicating the previous spring max.
Other birds this day were two Eurasian Wrynecks, two Red-backed Shrikes, 15 European Pied Flycatchers, one Bluethroat, 75 Northern Wheatears, 15 Common Redstarts, 70 Willow Warblers, one Eurasian Tree Sparrow and two Red Crossbills.
Next day the second Common Crane of the year toured the island. Also, Barnacle Goose, Whimbrel and Parasitic Jaeger were noted for the first time this year during these days. A female Mallard had ten small ones to keep an eye on in lake Måkskitmyre on the 10th.
The highlight so far in May was a Little Egret (Geir Mobakken et al.) found in North haven on the evening of 11th. It frequented the northern parts of the isle for several days, and constitutes the second record for Utsira. As with the Red Kite last month it may seem to have a connection with Shetland; a Little Egret staying there early in the month is not reported after the 9th.
A Short-eared Owl flew over the isle on the 13th. The first Garden Warbler of the year arrived the next day, a little later than normal. That Ruddy Turnstone also turned up for the first time this year the same day is more standard, as winter and spring occurrences are rare. Also on the same date the fine count of 33 Whimbrels was logged. Attention to the sea has been of little value during the whole period, with the slight exception of the 15th when 82 Red-throated and one Yellow-billed Loon were noted.
