28th - 30th July
A mix of weather through
these couple of days with the wind constantly in the SE but ranging from strong
to almost flat calm and some long but welcome spells of rain; a little influx
of insects on the 28th was noteworthy and included a Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Burray along with 10+ Painted Ladies, 20+ Red Admirals and
50+ Silver Y’s. Birdwise, the first Common Sandpiper of the autumn was near the airstrip with 30 Knot and a
Whimbrel the other wader highlights, a build-up of Arctic Terns included a huge
flock of 2,500+ on Torness and a female-type Black Redstart was a surprise around the
Obs.
Bright and sunny on the 29th with a very
strong SE wind produced a few highlights including 6 Swifts in off the sea on
the west side, the first juvenile Willow Warbler of the autumn at Bewan and
the first juvenile Ruff of the autumn on Ancum along with 2 Herons, a
Black-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel and the Black Redstart again.
There were some notable influxes on the 30th
in response to the SE breeze slackening off to almost nothing in the morning;
waders were very obvious as totals included 150 Oystercatchers, a big arrival
of 1,350+ Golden Plover, 81 Knot (including a
Norwegian colour flagged bird), 35 Sanderling, 28 Purple Sandpipers, an influx
to 360 Dunlin, 24 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 69 Curlew, 114 Redshank and
139 Turnstone. A big arrival of 5,050+ Arctic Terns was also noted with huge flocks roosting in a few spots round
the island and included many of our local juveniles mingled in with the hordes.
Other little bits included 3 Swifts, 9 Sedge Warblers
with dispersing juveniles in odd places, 3 Willow Warblers, the first Pied Flycatcher of the autumn (like Fair Isle, only the fourth July record!),
another Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Holland and the first Peacock of the year at
Vincoin.
Knot
Heron annoying the Terns
Hummingbird Hawkmoth Simon Davies
Comments