14th to 17th June

A largely wet and windy period, so fingers crossed the poor weather hasn't had a negative impact on some of our ground nesting species. Despite this, occasional birds of interest have still been seen such as the male Red-backed Shrike near the Kirk (to 16th) and male Nightjars at Holland gardens and near Scotsha (15th and 17th respectively). A brief spell of easterly winds on 16th brought 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Robin and 6 Collared Doves to Holland gardens with a Siskin and pair of Redpolls (biometrics suggesting Lesser but appearance Mealy?!) since the 15th with a pink, male Mealy there too on 17th. The Tree Sparrow was still at the north end on 14th, with up to 5 Chiffchaffs and singles of Garden Warbler and Blackcap lingering. Meanwhile, poor weather has hampered attempts to identify a songster in Holland gardens since the 16th. An Acrocephalus sp of some sort is considered the likeliest culprit, but with only a few minutes of song heard in total and no bird, its 'watch this space' for the time being on that one. Noteworthy non-passerines have included 13 Lesser black-backed Gulls (14th), 2 Grey Herons (15th) and 2 Golden Plovers (16th).

 Nightjar(s) at Holland top and Scotsha below (both pics MW)

 

A few pictures from recent wader chick ringing sessions. Curlews above and Redshank below