A wintry first week saw more snow on the hills. What were those early migrants thinking? April 1^st is a questionable day to find rarities; however a noc-mig (nocturnally migrating) STONE CURLEW was recorded calling over Penrhyn Bay. Another turned up on St.David’s airfield on 26-27^th. An ALPINE SWIFT was a classic “spring overshoot” photographed over Skokholm on 1^st and at Wooltack Point and St Govan’s Head (Pembrokeshire) on 2^nd and again over Nolton Haven on 18^th.

Again noc-mig recording paid off and revealed more unknowns – this time a SPOTTED CRAKE over Tregaron Bog (Ceredigion) along with thousands of migrating Common Scoter on 5^th. A pair of SURF SCOTER were off Old Colwyn (Denbighshire) on 2nd-15^th and Pensarn on 15^th. Up to three RING-NECKED DUCKS were still at Talley Lakes (Carmarthen) on 3rd-17^th and Lisvane Reservoir (Glamorgan) on 3rd-13^th, Llyn Maelog, Rhosneigr (Anglesey) from 2nd-18^th , Cors Caron NR (Ceredigion) on 2^nd and a drake still on Llyn Pencarreg (Carmarthenshire) on 23^rd. The TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE remained at Goldcliffe from 1st-16^th.

A COMMON CRANE was over Pembrey (Pembrokeshire) on 3^rd. A WHITE STORK was reported over Ruthin (Denbighshire) on 16^th and two SpoonbillS flew over Cors Ddyga (Anglesey) on 29^th.

A BONAPARTE’S GULL was in Cardiff Bay on 18-30^th. Iceland Gulls remained at Rhyl’s Brickfields Pool from 1st-6^th, another was on Skomer 5-6^th, one at Cemlyn 17-18^th, and a further bird at Tenby on 28^th. Glaucous Gulls were at Tywyn (Meirionnydd) on 20^th, Teifi Estuary (Pembrokeshire) on 28^th and Tenby (Pembrokeshire) on the same day.

A BLACK KITE was photographed over South Stack on 26^th. Two Dotterel were on the Range RSPB (Anglesey) on 17th-19^th, and one was on Foel Fras (Caernarfonshire) on 26^th with another on Garreg Lwyd (Carmarthen) on 29^th.

A Wryneck was on Skokholm on 6^th and another in a private garden on the Lleyn (Caernarfonshire) on 26^th. Great Grey Shrikes were at Brechfa (Carmarthen) on 2^nd, Usk Reservoir (Carmarthen) on 5^th and Hirwaun (Glamorgan) on 12th-13^th. Hoopoes were in a St Dogmael’s garden (Pembrokeshire) on 28^th, in Portskewett (Glamorgan) on 6^th and a further one in Llanerchymedd (Anglesey) on 24^th. A Turtle Dove was in Trefin (Pembrokeshire) on 24^th.

A Siberian Chiffchaff was in Aberdaron on 13^th and another was ringed on Bardsey on 26^th. “Channel-type” Yellow Wagtails were at Brechfa Pool (Radnor) and Penmon Point on 23^rd and Henborth, Cemlyn (Anglesey) on 24^th.

A NIGHTINGALE was ringed on Skokholm on 30^th. Black Redstarts were on Skokholm and at Dale on 4^th, Aled Isaf Reservoir (Denbighshire) on 4^th, Great Orme from 12th-15^th, Llanrhystud (Ceredigion) on 23^rd, Barry on 28^th and Brechfa Pool on 29^th.

Last month’s mammalian highlight of the Walrus remained in Tenby over Easter until the 27^th at least.