22nd and 23rd July

Another similar day on the 22nd with plenty of bright sunshine but a brisk easterly wind to take the edge off; once again, waders dominated the migrant totals with some good coverage in between scouring the coast for Black Guillemot chicks producing some high counts including 372 Oystercatchers, 95 Sanderling and 326 Dunlin while the rest consisted of 39 Ringed Plover, 51 Knot, 2 Greenshank, 90 Redshank, 81 Turnstone, 5 Whimbrel and the 2 Red-necked Phalaropes still.

Fledgling Arctic Tern having a bit of a stretch


                Other bits and pieces comprised the Black-throated Diver again in Nouster, a Heron, 4 Collared Doves commuting between Howar and Holland and at least 4 Swifts moving south over the island.

                There was still plenty of sunshine on the 23rd but the wind had switched a little into the north and remained a bit chilly; single Greenshank and Green Sandpiper were noteworthy in amongst good totals of 439 Golden Plover and 154 Lapwings while the Black-throated Diver was still present, 3 Herons toured the island, the 2 Red-necked Phalaropes still spun round on Gretchen and a dispersing juvenile Sedge Warbler was caught in Holland.
Twite

Rocks (and a Purple Sandpiper)

1st summer Arctic Tern,   photos Simon Davies

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