4th-25th August

 It's been a busy few weeks with the obs team getting stuck back into census, meanwhile the Fulmar chicks around the island have been ringed, there's been new trees planted at Trebb and around the observatory, the new ringing hut has been painted and the bikes have had a bit much needed TLC. In worse news the arrival of the first autumn storm saw us lose a glass panel off the conservatory roof, the resulting hole created so much suction it took several of us to keep the inner door held shut until it could be blocked!

The Barnacle Goose was still present on 4th, and remained until 25th. A Red-necked Phalarope was present on Ancum on 5th, and was seen at Bewan the following day. An Otter was at Rue on 7th. A Greenshank and Short-eared Owl were both around on the 10th. The first of two dead Pilot Whales were discovered on 9th, this was followed by a mass stranding of 23 animals on Sanday, it's always quite upsetting seeing them washed ashore knowing they likely had a nasty end! 

The 11th marked the start of what would turn into a bit of a headache to be honest, but a nice one to have. The first of potentially three, definitely at least two American Golden Plovers were found on the Links. Another or the same was seen again on 14th at Sandar, along with the second Pied Flycatcher of the year at Antabreck. A Greenshank was on Gretchen, a bumper flock of 16 Tree Sparrow were on Tor Ness, the first Willow Warblers of the autumn were at Milldam and Brigg, while the first Tree Pipit of the Autumn was near Dennishill. 

It seemed sea-watching would quickly become the remedy to a few days of quieter birding that followed our first burst autumnal activity. The 17th saw five Great Shearwaters, a Long-tailed Skua and a Sabine's Gull as highlight birds, these were backed up by 52 Storm Petrel, 83 Sooty Shearwater and 58 Manx Shearwater. Another Great Shearwater followed on 18th with a Pomarine Skua and two Orca to keep things going on the sea, while the land produced the first Icterine Warbler of the year at Westness. The Long-billed Dowitcher seemingly made another return on 19th before ending up back on Sanday. A late sea-watch would provide the first (of hopefully many) Fea's-type Petrel of the year. 

Another Great Shearwater followed the next day while the Tree Sparrow flock grew to at least 19 birds in the Nether Linnay stubble, also joined by an American Golden Plover, this is where we began to question how many we'd had, a full review of everyone's photos will be in order, perhaps when the evening draw in a bit! 

The 21st saw a Little Gull fly north up the Links, and the 22nd saw the first Rosefinch of the autumn at Milldam, it would be seen subsequently at Antabreck and North Gravity. Three Pomarine Skuas were the sea-watch highlights for the day. The Long-billed Dowitcher re-appeared again on 23rd but wasn't seen again. 

The 24th saw us add our second Icterine Warbler of the autumn while the sea provided more Skuas with all four species seen throughout the day and a Leach's Petrel was seen in the evening. The 25th was started by the first Goldcrest of the autumn followed by the first Shelduck and two House Martins. 

The weather looks okay later in the week but I'm not expecting any fireworks yet! On a side note A very Happy 80th Birthday to Craig's grandmother, we know she's an avid reader of the blog as Craig passes on her gentle reminders for us to update it! We will be better now there's birds moving.... I hope! 

American Golden Plover (bottom bird) - GG

Swift - GG

Icterine Warbler - CAF

                                                                     Great Shearwater - GG 

Sooty Shearwater - GG