20th July - 3rd August

 With the Sheep Festival and Black Guillemot chick ringing taking up a lot of obs staff time, field sightings have been a bit few and far between during the end of July into the beginning of August. Waders have made up most of the sightings, and we've managed a few additions to the year list too.

20th July

A Cuckoo was at the obs, a Greenshank was at Ancum, a Green Sandpiper was at Brides and a Black Redstart was at Holland Farmhouse.

21st July

Cuckoo numbers increased to two, with juveniles at Ancum and the obs, Green Sandpiper numbers also increased to two at Brides. A Greenshank was at Trolla and a Common Tern was on Gretchen in the evening.

22nd July

The Black Redstart put in another appearance, this time at the Old Kirk. A juvenile Cuckoo was at Quoybanks and the two Green Sandpiper had relocated to Bewan.

23rd July

A Short-eared Owl was at the airfield.

24th July

The Black Redstart was once again at Holland Farmhouse, and the Cuckoo from Quoybanks had made it to Westness. One Green Sandpiper was at Ancum. A 1.5 hour sea watch produced the first two Sooty Shearwater of the year, alongside 2109 Puffin, 307 Auk sp., 61 Gannet, 85 Arctic Tern, 14 Kittiwake and one Storm Petrel.

25th July

Green Sandpiper numbers at Gretchen rose to three.

27th July

Two Black Redstart were seen at the Lighthouse, a Ruff was at Ancum, and a Swift at Peckhole.

28th July

A total of two Swift were over Peckhole, Gretchen Green Sandpiper numbers rose to four, where a Common Tern was also present.

29th July

The first Pectoral Sandpiper of the year was on Gretchen, with a Wood Sandpiper and three Green Sandpiper.

Pectoral Sandpiper - Maddy Hine

30th July

All the previous day's waders remained on Gretchen. A Grey Wagtail was at the Broch and a Kestrel was over the obs.

31st July

Once again, the Pec Sand and Wood Sand were at Gretchen, joined by just one Green Sand. Two Ruff were on Ancum.

1st August

A total of seven Ruff were present on island; one on Gretchen and six on West Beach. Gretchen remained home to a Pec Sand, Wood Sand, and Green Sand.

3rd August

A Barnacle Goose was with Greylags at Verracott. Ancum hosted a Ruff and a ringtail Hen Harrier. A total of six Redpoll flew over Sangar, and a Merlin was on the Links.

Barnacle Goose with Greylags - Maddy Hine