2nd May

The main feature of a perfectly calm day was a fantastic number of divers swimming offshore, mostly in the channel between North Ronaldsay and Sanday. Counts came to an impressive 82 Great Northern Divers, 20 Red-throated Divers and a single Black-throated Diver; although, disappointingly, the White-billed Divers were nowhere to be seen, denying us the satisfaction of getting the complete set.

Besides lots of loons, it was another quiet day on census. A few small migrants were scattered around, including 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 13 Swallows, 3 Siskins and 3 Redpolls. A few passage corvids included a Rook, 6 Carrion Crows and about 20 Hooded Crows, while 3 Whimbrels, 2 Collared Doves and a Woodpigeon were also new.

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