15th and 16th August
Heavy, persistent rain lingered across the island until
late morning on the 15th delayed proceedings but it brightened up
into a lovely, sunny afternoon; despite the rain and poor visibility 13 Manx
Shearwaters and 2 Storm Petrels passed the seawatch hide but it generally
wasn’t until the afternoon that people got out into the field. Unsurprisingly, waders dominated the day’s
log with the Buff-breasted
Sandpiper still on The Links while
other totals comprised 720 Golden Plover, 3 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2
Whimbrel, 123 Curlew, 185 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper and 263 Turnstone with
added interest coming from a Norwegian colour flagged Ringed Plover which,
after being ringed in Norway in September 2016 was seen on North Ronaldsay shortly
afterwards, so this is the second autumn in a row that it has been seen here.
There are still some Arctic Terns remaining, some of which have juveniles in tow, so are still aggressive!
Other
little bits included a Heron, still 63 Arctic Terns (including several
juveniles, either from here or further north), 3 Collared Doves still in
Holland, a single Swift and good roost totals of 160 Linnets and 1,140
Starlings.
Pleasant
throughout the day on the 16th although the southerly wind gradually
increased to become very strong by the evening; waders today included a few new
odds and ends in amongst the larger flocks with 1 or 2 Wood Sandpipers, a Green
Sandpiper, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruff and a Grey Plover while 850 Golden
Plover and 110 Lapwings were in the fields around the Obs.
A
big, juvenile female Peregrine was cruising around, 30 Teal on Ancum was a
notable influx, 10 Sand Martins were over Gretchen and a distinctive, dark,
melanistic Heron which came in off the sea caused a few pulses to race and
maybe was the same individual that was seen last autumn.
Its been a tough breeding season but now its time to relax!
Black Guillemots are starting to moult now that their breeding season is over
Photos Simon Davies
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