11th August

An adult Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the links was easily the bird of the day and the first rarity of the autumn. North Ronaldsay is a very good site for this species: with roughly 20 records since the opening of the observatory, it is a near-annual visitor. That said, this is the first sighting since 2008.

Other new birds included 3 Willow Warblers, a Whinchat and a White Wagtail. The Greenshank and 18 Ruffs were still present and 2 Collared Doves were seen.