19th - 20th May

Despite the weather seemingly lacking promise, the past couple of days have produced some good quality birds - definitely quality over quantity!

The highlight on 19th was a showy female Bluethroat found on the Viggay track, shortly followed by our second Garden Warbler of the year in the same place. A Wood Sandpiper was present on the small pool between Howar and the Broch before flying off north and not being re-found. Elsewhere there were five Sparrowhawk seen cruising about the island, including a very big female. One Dotterel remained at Sandar, 30 Knot were seen on the coast at Brides and three Whimbrel were about across the island along with three Common Sandpiper. Numbers of Turnstone have also been increasing, with a total of 595 being seen on 19th, up by over 100 individuals from the previous days. One Woodpigeon and four Collared Doves were in Holland Garden, seemingly roaming between there and South Ness. A Short-eared Owl was found at Peckhole. Other highlights include two Whitethroat, one Blackcap, two Chiffchaff, one Redpoll, five Carrion Crow, one White-fronted Goose, six Pink-footed Goose, and one Canada Goose.

The 20th started slowly but proved to be a pretty exciting day all round. A Subalpine Warbler sp was found at midday in Ancum Willows but was not heard to call, requiring the nets to be opened. After a few changes of tactics, the bird finally ended up in a net and some DNA samples were gathered, we just have to wait for the results now! Shortly after a Green-winged Teal was found on Garso Loch before flying north on to the sea and being lost to view. This is the first record of Green-winged Teal since the long staying adult male was last seen on Gretchen in 2021. The female Bluethroat was still present on the Viggay track. An extra Collared Dove seen in Holland Garden took the island total to five, and presumably the same Woodpigeon was seen flying south over Ancum. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen late on in the day in Holland Garden after a brief rain shower. Other highlights include two Blackcap, three Chiffchaff, six Pink-footed Goose, two Sparrowhawk, one Tree Pipit, three Common Sandpiper, 53 Knot including one colour ringed bird, and one Siskin.

We seem to have a couple more days of drifty winds before strong westerlies and rain start to dominate. Hopefully the past two days are a sign of things to come for the rest of the spring.

Subalpine Warbler sp (MEH)

Green-winged Teal (TG)