18th-25th June
The past week has seen spring migration generally slow down as we move into the summer period. Nevertheless, we've had a few nice highlights as birds continue to pass through and even some signs of autumn as post-breeding waders return.
A Greater Short-toed Lark on the morning of 18th started the day well, despite the bird proving rather mobile, moving between the airfield and West Beach. June records of this species on North Ronaldsay have now occurred in three out of the last four years.
A Barnacle Goose at Kirbest was the highlight of 19th, with the Snow Bunting still lingering around Lenswick. South easterlies and some light rain on 20th brought 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Blackcap and a Willow Warbler to Holland House gardens.
Two quiet days followed, although a Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Garso on 22nd was a good year list addition. Dark-bellied is the rarer of the two regularly occurring subspecies, with this individual being the first since September 2021. 27 Black-tailed Godwits were at Gretchen on 23rd and 64 Golden Plovers were south of Holland. The Brent Goose was also seen again on the sea north of Garso.
Three Red-necked Phalaropes were at Ancum on 24th, a fairly typical date for this species, and a Wood Sandpiper flew south over the Observatory in the evening. 25th saw a second calendar year Mediterranean Gull at Scottsha (first of the year) and two Swifts over Hooking.
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