16th-18th July

More bright and sunny weather has meant we’ve been able to get on with more Arctic Tern and Black Guillemot chick ringing. Away from the chicks the Little Stint remained on Bewan until the 17^th giving decent views.

Waders have still been the dominant factor in the birding on the island. Numbers are beginning to rise all over the island with the Golden Plovers peaking at 560 on the 17^th, Dunlin reached 126 on the same date, Knot numbers have been steady with 12 birds hanging around the North end. 7 Whimbrel on the 17^th made for a good count as well.

A trio of Grey Herons at Hooking also on the 17^th showed signs of being returning birds. The big highlights over the past three days were a long overdue Green Sandpiper found at Bewan in the morning on the 18th and the evening produced a very smart Roseate Tern on Tor Ness with the non-breeding Arctic Tern flock.

Away from birds the moth trap has had a few exciting additions aside from large numbers of commoner moths such as Dark Arches which posted a very respectable showing of over 100 individuals on the 17^th. A Lempke's Gold Spot trapped on the 16^th was a first for the island and a small influx of Small-dotted Buff’s have produced 3rd to 7^th island records.

Green Sandpiper                                                      George Gay

Lempke's Gold Spot                                                George Gay

Knot                                                                         George Gay