12th-25th April
It's been a period of fairly settled weather with the winds coming from all around the compass but without any great strength behind them. While it's made the birding pleasant it's also put a halt on migrants finding landfall on the island. The 12th held much the same as previous days with two Willow Warblers and a Blackcap present, while the first Short-eared Owl of 2026 was flushed from long grass at Westness. A 2CY Iceland Gull initially on Sjaever was the highlight for the following day, while a Brambling and a Chaffinch were at the School. The second Arctic Skua of the year was at Neven on 14th and our first Lesser Whitethroat was at Breckan the following day. The 16th was a better day once we'd finished the punding for the day. Three Woodpigeon were hiding behind T4 and an Acredula Willow Warbler was in the Funny Park and an early Common Whitethroat was in the Rosa along the obs track, the highlight of the day was a Marsh Harrier that appeared over the middle of...
