24th-26th August

A good few days on the back of the bird of the Autumn so far, it'll take some beating but I'm sure we're up to the task.

The Shrike remained in the same spot for the duration of the 24th and at times showing somewhat  better than it had in the previous days. A Barred Warbler was seen briefly at Upper Linnay and 2 Whinchat were present, one at Longar and one in the crop field at Kirbest. The 3 Curlew Sandpipers remained on the loch at Ancum as were 4 Ruff. Finally a rather smart female Merlin was trapped at Holland in the evening.  

The next day was somewhat quieter but nonetheless profitable. The Shrike had emptied its larder and left the island, the Curlew Sandpipers remained on Ancum and the Ruffs had acquired two more to their number. Male and female Peregrines were seen terrorising waders around the island. A Lesser Whitethroat was in the garden at Bewan and the Whinchat at Longar was still present. A Redwing was a surprise arrival in the gardens at Holland.

A slight increase in numbers on the 26th raised excitement for the day that would follow it. A Barred Warbler was now present in the willows at Ancum and the first Chiffchaff of the autumn was hiding in the gardens at Holland. The island played host to at least 8 Willow Warblers. An adult female Hen Harrier was seen hawking the lochs and lastly a Common Sandpiper was flushed from the pier at Bewan. 

Isabelline Shrike sp. munching its way through a bee

Curlew Sandpipers