30th August - 1st September
A nice day on the 30th
with a light westerly breeze and plenty of sunshine; the highlights of a quiet
day in the field came early on as we caught a smart young female Kestrel and a
new Barred Warbler in the traps around the Observatory. Other birds of note through the day included
a Hen Harrier, 3-4 Kestrels, a Merlin, a good count of 1,010 Golden Plover, 94+
alba Wagtails (including a good roost
of 45 at the Obs), an influx of 133 Wheatears, the 2 Fieldfares and the Lesser
Whitethroat again.
A calm start on the 31st but the wind
rapidly picked up to become a strong southerly by the afternoon, unlike
elsewhere on the northern isles it was tough out in the field with little
rewards as birds of note comprised 3 Herons, single Hen Harrier, Kestrel and
Merlin, an influx of 170 Snipe with many small flocks buzzing around and a
Black Redstart still around Holland.
All change again on the 1st with fully
overcast conditions and a very light and decreasing SW breeze; there was a nice
range of species seen across the island but still quiet on the landbird front
with the regular suite of raptors being joined by a 3cy Peregrine, a Tree
Pipit, the Black Redstart, a Song Thrush and 8 Willow Warblers.
Other birds of note included single Red-throated and
Great-northern Divers, 4 Sooty and 16 Manx Shearwaters offshore, another
trickle of ducks onto the island included 23 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall and the first Pintail of the autumn, 2 Grey Plovers again, 2 Ruff, 138
Snipe and 3 Black-tailed Godwits.
Barred Warbler Simon Davies
Kestrel Simon Davies
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