1st and 2nd December

The 1st was yet another extremely windy day, with a search for interesting Gulls in the afternoon failing to turn up the hoped for 'white-winger'. There was a general increase in numbers though with at least 250 Herring Gulls, 150 Great-black-backed Gulls and 200 Common Gulls found feeding in the swells off either Bridesness or Scottigar. The 6 Whooper Swans remained, as did the 2 Pochards and 2 Scaups with the Tufted Ducks on Ancum Loch. The wind dropped completely overnight for the first time in over two weeks and a few new arrivals were found on the morning of the 2nd. More Geese had arrived with 65 European White-fronted Geese near the school a new record count for the island. Also present were a single Tundra Bean Goose, the lingering Barnacle Goose and at least 570 Greylags, while in the afternoon a flock of 21 Pink-footed Geese flew south. A male Sparrowhawk replaced the female from last week, the Peregrine was still around and 16 Twite were near the observatory.

Purple Sandpipers