27th to 29th May

May 29, 2015

27th to 29th May

While we're still not exactly receiving many migrants, the few that we are getting have been of a certain quality. A wet 27th, with a blustery southerly wind was the quietest day but a 'flavissima' Yellow Wagtail (the first confirmed record of the race since 2011) near Dennishill offered encouragement for the next day which was busier. The discovery of 3 Red-necked Phalaropes on Bewan Loch at lunchtime were the undisputed highlight, but like so many of this years birds they moved on quickly with all but the finder left disappointed. Another couple of year ticks came in the form of a Corncrake flushed near Hooking Loch and a male Ruff which flew over the Observatory. The 29th saw the return of the sunshine and some old favourites as both the male Rustic Bunting (back at Ancum Willows) and the Bee-eater (zooming past the Lighthouse) were both seen again for the first time since the 26th! Also re-appearing that date was presumably the same Black-throated Diver in Nouster Bay, with new birds represented by a first-summer Little Gull at Bridesness, a Cuckoo and Garden Warbler. Tying up loose ends, also seen on 27th were a pair of Garganey (with the drake on 29th), Sparrowhawk (to 28th), the juvenile Iceland Gull (to 28th) and 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. On 28th the adult Glaucous Gull was still on the golf course, 27 Tufted Ducks was a good count, 2 smart Curlew Sandpipers, 104 Dunlins and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were the pick of the waders and 2 late Snow Buntings were the most notable passerines.