8th and 9th June

After an overcast, breezy start a fine day with warm sunshine and light winds broke out with a fine array of late spring scarce migrants across the island; first up was a fine male Ortolan Bunting found along the road at Parkhouse which showed well to everyone followed by an equally fine adult male Common Rosefinch singing his heart out in Holland and then 2 Red-backed Shrikes with females at Ancum and in a mist net at Holland.

                Other migrants included a Quail singing at Longar, a Collared Dove, 5 Sand Martins, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a new Sedge Warbler trapped at Holland, a Chiffchaff, a Siskin and a Common Redpoll while also of note was a large influx of 80+ Red Admirals with a few Painted Ladies and Silver Y’s.   The Black-throated Diver reappeared in Nouster with a Red-throated and 2 Great-northern Divers while waders included single Golden Plover and Whimbrel, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Black-tailed Godwits.

Common Rosefinch

                Hopes were high for a few more nice bits and pieces on the 9th but this was largely spoilt by the brisk northerly wind bringing with it driving rain and low cloud which gradually turned to drizzle and didn’t die out until late afternoon.   The Ortolan Bunting was still present as was the Ancum Red-backed Shrike while 3 Quail included birds singing at Longar and Burray with another flushed from Waterhouse.

                Other birds of note comprised a female Garganey on Ancum Loch, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Sand Martins, 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover and 62 Sanderling.
Red-backed Shrike

Brute of a Great Black-backed Gull chick,   photos Simon Davies



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