9th April

With the wind starting to back to the south-east and intermittent light showers, a small number of birds eventually began to arrive. A trio of finches freshly arrived in Holland House gardens comprised a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch, which were both new species for the year, and a Siskin; a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest were found; and new migrant raptors included 2 Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel and a Peregrine. The Collared Dove was still around, and 2 Woodpigeons were seen in the evening. Both the Glaucous Gull and an Iceland Gull were still present.

Both Greenfinches and Goldfinches are scarce migrants on North Ronaldsay, despite the former species being quite common on Mainland Orkney.

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