31st May-3rd June

A Black Tern was a good find on the 31^st, sitting amongst Arctic Terns on the beach at Nouster. A rare bird here, this was the 14^th island record. A Black-throated Diver was also seen in Nouster bay, and the Red-backed Shrike was still at Ancum Willows. There were also singles of House Martin, Garden Warbler and Lesser Redpoll. With the winds turning northerly the first couple of days of June were very quiet, producing almost no passerine migrants at all. Heavy fog brought in some birds on the 3^rd, the highlight being a male Bluethroat at the school. A Cuckoo was at Holland House and a flock of 73 Bar-tailed Godwits were on Gretchen. Also seen were 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Tree Pipit and 3 Chiffchaffs, including a possible Siberian Chiffchaff trapped and ringed at the Obs. The Corncrake was still present at Holland on all days. 

 Bluethroat (photo George Gay)

Black-tailed Godwit (photo Euan Ferguson)

Bar-tailed Godwits (photo George Gay)

Tree Pipit (photo Euan Ferguson)

Possible Siberian Chiffchaff, a very grey bird that doesn't quite fit anything 

Curlew chicks (photo Euan Ferguson)