8th-9th January

 Its almost as if by magic that our complaints of a lack of white wingers have been answered in the last couple days! Two 1CY Glaucous Gulls were present on the 8th while the 9th bought a 1CY Iceland Gull and 2 Glaucous Gulls in the shape of a rather smart adult and another (or one of the previous days) 1CY birds. Elsewhere it appears the Buzzard is still going strong and was seen fending off one of three Hen Harriers that have been seen around the island. The drake Pochard was present on Brides on the 9th and a lone Pink-footed Goose was below the school with Greylags. Unsurprisingly the Green-winged Teal has remained on Gretchen. The big news from the last two days is the re-discovery of the Woodlark in the Funny Park, a very good bird this far North and very good bird for 2021's yearlist which is off to a flyer! Otherwise things as you'd expect for this time of year, 3 Chaffinches remain in the Funny Park with Twite flock, up to 26 Pintail were on Bewan on the 9th and a Merlin was seen bombing around Gretchen early on the 8th. 

Now is also a good time to mention becoming a friend! If you wish to do so please email: friendsofnrbo@hotmail.com the cost of becoming is £20 this includes a copy of the annual report, 10% off accommodation at the bird observatory and a biannual newsletter, more importantly though it allows us continue our work at the observatory with the membership going straight into things like repairing traps, sowing bird crops and paying for essential equipment like rings and nets. For additional £8.00 you can also receive the Orkney Bird Report. In addition to this we have started selling pin badges, the first of these features the iconic Arctic Tern that also features on the obs logo, we have limited stock of these but if you wish to purchase one please email: friendsofnrbo@hotmail.com 

                                    The NRBO Arctic Tern Pin Badge          

                                   Buzzard 

                                    Woodlark