21st July - 1st August

During the period of 21st July to 1st August, the Semipalmated Sandpiper remained in situ either at Westness or at the point at Trinley, usually with a mixed wader flock also including an over-summering Knot. Both the juv flava-type Wagtail and the Grey-headed Wagtail have remained loosely associated with with each other and a group of Pied Wagtails. An adult Red-necked Phalarope on Ancum on 24th was joined by a juv on 29th, where both remained into the first week of August.

Sea watching produced our first 'mega' of the autumn when a Barolo Shearwater flew north past the sea watch hide on 25th. This is a second record for the island and for Orkney. A couple of days later a spooned Pomarine Skua flew north.

More common migrants during the period include Kestrel, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, and Greenshank. The first Willow Warbler of the autumn appeared at the obs on 30th.

Grey-headed Wagtail

Red-necked Phalarope