20th-22nd August

 With the fog cleared off by rain on the morning of the 20th the day looked promising and on paper it proved to be so. 

A pair of Green Sandpipers in Gue Park were new arrivals and typically were flushed off the rocks before vanishing South down the West side. The Wood Sandpiper although infrequent has been a regular on Ancum over the last few days often disappearing into surrounding fields. Most of the migrant birds were again in the North. Willow Warblers at Senness and Garso were two of five birds on the island. Senness also played host to the long staying Barred Warbler and one of three Garden Warblers. The Red-backed Shrike remained at Bewan House and was still present on 22nd, although now seems more illusive than ever only being seen as it leaves the garden! Other migrants included a Whinchat at Trolla, a Crossbill at Iris Taing and a drake Common Scoter flew past Tor Ness.

The 21st was extremely quiet in comparison, a Common Whitethroat at Westness was the only noteable migrant. 

A switch in the wind saw strong North-westerlies as the day progressed, however the strange ways in which things work meant this played to our advantage with a fresh arrival of migrants on the island. Common Whitethroats at Northness and Viggay were a welcome addition to the day list as was a Lesser Whitethroat at Rue. Rue also held the first Reed Warbler of the Autumn. The first Common Rosefinch of the Autumn was hiding in the thistle field near Haskie. Finally the highlight or highlights of the day were at least 4 Curlew Sandpipers, the first of which was found on the Links and was soon joined by two other birds while another spend the day around Bewan. More frustratingly was a fourth bird with the three as they flew away, seemingly white-rumped but quite a bit smaller! It'll have to be the one that got away unless it appears! 

Curlew Sandpipers                                                                                        RB

Crossbill                                                                                                           GG

Whinchat                                                                                                          GG