1st to 2nd September

In less than favourable north-westerly winds the 1st day of what is always the most anticipated month of the year turned into a surprisingly good day. Several passerine migrants were clearly newly arrived with no less than 3 Barred Warblers (Observatory, Rue and Lochend), a Wryneck (at the Mill) and at least Pied Flycatchers especially notable. There was also a Tree Pipit and counts of 405 Meadow Pipits, 19 White Wagtails, 77 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 2 Sedge Warblers and 14 Willow Warblers. Highlight for the sea-watchers was a pod of 4 Risso's Dolphins which lingered close offshore early in the morning while on the bird front there were 28 Sooty and 13 Manx Shearwaters, 1288 Fulmars and 808 Gannets. A group of 4 Grey Herons were new while just a single Wood Sandpiper remains at Cauldhame and was still there the next day. The 2nd brought an even stronger, gusting to force 6-7 northerly wind and most attention was again focussed on the sea. Totals were similar to the previous day with 25 Sooty and 8 Manx Shearwaters, a Storm Petrel, 1067 Fulmars (including a blue), 571 Gannets and 27 Great Skua's. On the land a Grasshopper Warbler at Ancum Willows was the best bird while the first sighting of a juvenile Marsh Harrier for a few days might suggest its island hopping. There were also 2 Barred Warblers (Lochend and Cruesbrek), just 6 Willow Warblers and a single Pied Flycatcher.