1st September

The most eagerly anticipated month in Northern Isles birding began with a complete washout-literally!! Torrential rain all-day made birding almost impossible, with checks of the Islands Loch's all that was really manageable. The Pectoral Sandpiper was still at Gretchen, with a lingering Green Sandpiper at Kirbest, 2 Ruff and 2 Black-tailed Godwits the other notable waders. There was another arrival of wildfowl with 165 each of Wigeon and Teal, 12 Shovelers and 6 Pintails counted. A Sooty Shearwater passed by on the sea and a couple of Willow Warblers sought shelter in Holland gardens.