July started off strongly with a 2CY Long-tailed Skua on Tor Ness with the local Arctic Skuas, the bird showed well for the morning, but by the afternoon had seemingly vanished. Bird news was scant with various staff off island, separate Little Gulls were seen on Trolla on 5th and Gretchen the following day. The 7th produced the bird of the month with a Pacific Golden Plover found on the Links before it relocated to Peckhole, it was seen the following day on Sandsheen before departing the island. Swifts were seen on 13th and 17th while a Corncrake was heard near Milldam on 12th. Bird news on 19th consisted of a juvenile Cuckoo at Quoybanks and a Curlew Sandpiper on Trolla. A pair of Redpoll have seemingly bred in Ancum Willows with at least two chicks present. The Red-necked Phalarope was also present until about 10th July
Ringing activity has seen over 100 Storm Petrels trapped so far and three Leach's Petrel. Over 200 Black Guillemot chicks have also been ringed so far, a significant rise for the 128 in 2024. Arctic Terns also appear to have had a strong breeding season with over 120 ringed so far.
Away from bird news a new plant for the island was discovered near Parkhouse, Common Twayblade becomes the third Orchid species recorded on the island and joins the over 360 species already on the list. A Garden Tiger was trapped overnight on 1st July. Perhaps the most exciting was a Migrant Hawker found by the Lighthouse on 18th, it's only the second Orkney record of this species and the first for North Ronaldsay. Up to three By-the-wind Sailor Jellyfish were present on 10th July at Ryasgeo.
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| Garden Tiger - GG |
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| Aphrosylus celtiber - GG |
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| Cuckoo - MEH |
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Long-tailed Skua - GG
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