12th and 13th June

Warm and calm on the 12^th but largely overcast and the combination of the time of year and our focus being more on breeding birds it was quiet for new arrivals although 6 Golden Plover represented the first returning individuals while 65 Sanderling and 8 Bar-tailed Godwits were over-summering birds.   Single Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver, Great-northern Diver and Red-breasted Merganser were in Nouster while the long staying Woodpigeon and a random Jackdaw at Westness provided the only other interest.

                Overcast again through the morning of the 13^th with a few spots of rain but it brightened up to become a lovely, sunny, warm afternoon; a Quail singing near the airstrip and a drake Garganey which flew over Holland were the highlights with 8 Sand Martins, a House Martin, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Collared Doves also seen.   Three Black-tailed and 21 Bar-tailed Godwits were the pick of the waders while single Black-throated and Great-northern Divers were again in the bay.

Great Black-backed Gull

Arctic Skua,   photos Simon Davies