7th-9th May
The south easterlies have continued, although persistent fog has dominated the last few days, making birding a bit more challenging and potentially limiting the number of birds arriving on the island. However, there have been a few brief windows when the fog has lifted with some periods of light rain also, giving us plenty of migrants to sift through.
7th began with thick fog, although cleared in the afternoon, allowing a fresh new batch of arrivals. Highlights included the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year at Westness, along with our first Garden Warbler at the same place, a Ring Ouzel at Lurand and 12 Tree Pipits, which included a flock of 8 around Nether Linnay. Small numbers of thrushes, 5 Redstarts, 7 Whitethroats, 8 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Pied Flycatchers and a Lesser Whitethroat made up the rest of the passerine highlights. Our first Ruff of the year were seen in the evening and there were 4 Dotterels present, with 2 males and a female at Sandar and the same female at Torness.
Light rain and clearer conditions on 8th saw increased passage with a male Blue-headed Wagtail seen heading out to sea at Trolla, where a mixed flock of 20 corvids (1 Jackdaw, 7 Rooks, 8 Carrion Crows and 4 Hooded Crows) also headed north. Willow Warblers increased to 30, the highest of the year so far, with 9 Redstarts and 12 Whitethroats also the spring's highest counts at present. A Black Redstart was seen around the Lighthouse and there were higher numbers of hirundines, including 2 House Martins. 4 Whinchats and 2 Sedge Warblers were also notable, along with a Short-eared Owl at Trebb and Long-eared Owl at Holland. A Wood Pigeon flew over Dennishill, which was seen at Garso thirty seconds later, where a drake Garganey and Common Sandpiper were also found. Arctic Terns arrived back in increased numbers, with over 60 around Ires Taing.
9th was a proper pea souper, with the fog never really lifting. Numbers seemed down slightly on the previous two days, although a Spotted Flycatcher at Cruesbreck was the first of the spring. The Brides Barnacle Goose flock increased to 8 and the White-fronted Goose remained at Peckhole. 3 Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel were seen around Holland, with two of the former trapped and ringed in the evening. Two mobile flava wagtails were seen at Sangar and Gretchen and the Grasshopper Warbler was seen again at Westness. 1 Redstart, 13 Willow Warblers and 2 Whinchats were all decreases on the previous day's counts.
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