22nd May

In the blustery north-westerly winds, sea-watching was the order of the day and after a couple of failed attempts in recent years, catching up with a few passing Skuas was undoubtedly the days highlight. Three and half hours of watching, in two shifts from a sheltered dyke on the point at Westness saw 3 adult Long-tailed Skuas (2 at 14.10, and a single at 14.55) and an adult Pomarine Skua (at 1510) pass by. Also seen during the days sessions were 3 unidentified Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, 3 Manx Shearwaters, the first 4 Common Scoters of the year, 2 Red-throated Divers and 136 Puffins. On land the Paddyfield Warbler was still at South Gravity and the Marsh Warbler from 18th has reappeared at Barrenha. 2 Red-backed Shrikes in the Ancum area included a new male, the Turtle Dove was still present and the Glaucous Gull was following a plough at Lenswick.