8th May



Another decent day with a moderate south-westerly wind and occasional showers delivered another Raptor surprise just before lunch. This time it was a smart Rough-legged Buzzard, the 15th island record and first since 2010 which arrived in off the sea at Hooking before appearing to land and disappearing. Attempts to find it on the ground failed but it was picked up again high over the south end of the island at about 1.15pm and from here it headed out to sea to the north-east and was then seen over Fair Isle less than an hour later. Among the migrant passerines were a female Blue-headed Wagtail at Bridesness, 2 Sand Martins, 6 Redstarts, the Mistle Thrush again, a Fieldfare, similar numbers of Warblers to yesterday, at least 7 Carrion Crows and 2 Mealy Redpolls. An evening build up of Arctic Terns saw 185 recorded and waders were moving again with 45 summer-plumaged Knot, 31 Dunlins, 47 Golden Plovers and the first Lapwing chicks were at last seen. Winter fare included a late Long-tailed Duck with the Greenland White-fronted Goose lingering on still.

 

Rough-legged Buzzard (photos Stephen Rutt)