23rd - 25th August

Bright and sunny again on the 23^rd with the brisk westerly wind persisting; the first Reed Warbler of the autumn at Ancum was the pick on the land along with now 2 Hen Harriers, a Merlin and 5 Willow Warblers while waders included 27 Knot, 3 Ruff, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 92 Redshank with a single Great-northern Diver offshore.

                A fresh NW wind through the day on the 24^th brought frequent but short-lived squalls blasting across the island, the day’s highlights comprised the Spotted Redshank again on Brides and an adult Common Tern at Bewan with the late Arctic Tern families – only the third of the year.   Other birds included 3 Herons, a Kestrel, 2 Merlins (including one heading south out to sea off The Lurn) and a decent count of 928 Golden Plover.

                A really rough morning on the 25^th with a blazing NW wind bringing regular, nasty showers whipping through; birds today included a juvenile Garganey on Hooking (maybe one of ours but equally likely to be an immigrant), a Great-northern Diver, 4 Herons, a Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrels, a Merlin and 28 Knot.

Bar-tailed Godwit and Knot