21st-22nd September
It's been a great couple of days up here with migrants arriving.
The Hen Harrier has been a constant feature on the East side of the island, other birds of prey have been what you'd expect really with a female Sparrowhawk hanging around Holland, a female Kestrel, and 2 Merlins. The big raptor surprise was an Osprey on the 22nd, seen coming in off the sea over the lighthouse and settling breifly on a telegraph pole before heading out South, the bird was our second for the year.
Waders remained a talking point with large numbers of Snipe being recorded both days but peaking on the 22nd with 484 making the final log count, these were accompanied by 2 Jack Snipe.
Other noteworthy waders included 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Greenshank, a single Wood Sandpiper on Gretchen and 2 Curlew Sandpipers on Trolla and Westness.
Passerine wise things have improved with a total of 20 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Redstarts, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 14 Willow Warblers, 4 Common Rosefinches, 2 Whinchat, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Garden Warblers, 3 Dunnock, 3 Chaffinch and singles of Spotted Flycatcher, Song Thrush, Common Whitethroat and a Robin.
An Icterine Warbler was found in the Kirbest crop field at about mid-day and a female Red-breasted Merganser was seen off the links.
The Hen Harrier has been a constant feature on the East side of the island, other birds of prey have been what you'd expect really with a female Sparrowhawk hanging around Holland, a female Kestrel, and 2 Merlins. The big raptor surprise was an Osprey on the 22nd, seen coming in off the sea over the lighthouse and settling breifly on a telegraph pole before heading out South, the bird was our second for the year.
Waders remained a talking point with large numbers of Snipe being recorded both days but peaking on the 22nd with 484 making the final log count, these were accompanied by 2 Jack Snipe.
Other noteworthy waders included 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Greenshank, a single Wood Sandpiper on Gretchen and 2 Curlew Sandpipers on Trolla and Westness.
Passerine wise things have improved with a total of 20 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Redstarts, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 14 Willow Warblers, 4 Common Rosefinches, 2 Whinchat, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Garden Warblers, 3 Dunnock, 3 Chaffinch and singles of Spotted Flycatcher, Song Thrush, Common Whitethroat and a Robin.
An Icterine Warbler was found in the Kirbest crop field at about mid-day and a female Red-breasted Merganser was seen off the links.
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| Twite |
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| Garden Warbler |
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| Dunnock |
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| Osprey |
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| Grey Plovers |
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| Yellow-browed Warbler - all photos George Gay |
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