29th July - 5th August
The wheels of Autumn are slowly grinding their way into action, despite this we are still yet to have a Willow Warbler.
The highlights over the last week or so have consisted mainly of the now long-staying American Golden Plover, which seems to have settled between the cut fields at Peckhole, and on the Links. The other avian highlight was our first Turtle Dove of the year found near Westness on 2nd August. It's roamed widely over the past three days being seen at Lenswick, South Gravity and Greenspot. What could have been the bird of the year was also seen on 1st, an apparent Gyr Falcon was seen as it zipped past Westness, however we were already aware of the fact a colour-ringed falconers bird had been seen on Stronsay the previous evening, so the champagne was still in the fridge, it spent the next two afternoons zipping about much to the dismay of the local Arctic Skuas and Great Black-backed Gull, it also appears to be a Gyr/Saker Falcon, to further poop any potential parties.
Another Storm Petrel session took place on the 1st, but damp conditions cut proceedings short at just eight birds! A Goldeneye was seen on Hooking on the 4th, while other migrants included two Redpolls near the lighthouse on the 5th, and a Green Sandpiper at Bewan on the same date. It's otherwise been as you'd expect, very quiet!
Non-avian highlights have been thin on the ground also, with the only things of note so far being a Minke Whale and a pod of 4+ Risso's Dolphins on the 5th.
It's a bit of sit and wait for the wind to turn job at the moment, but we know it will eventually!
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