28th January - 3rd February

 It's been a cold week on the island and an uncharacteristically calm spell in the weather has meant there has been very little turnover in birds. However with an interesting Easterly air flow and more cold weather we're hopeful things will start to show up! 

There has been very little to report so I'll keep it brief so to not repeat the same birds over and over again! The 29th was easily one of the busier days as the colder weather began to set in. Bewan was the main hub of activity where a juvenile Peregrine was keeping the wildfowl alert by sitting on the bank. A high count of 29 Pintail was the highest of the year, 12 Gadwall and 9 Tufted Ducks were all well on their toes. Elsewhere a 1st Winter Glaucous Gull was loafing with Great Black-backs and Herring Gulls on the SEal Skerry.

Things went pretty stagnant then until 1st February where an overnight sprinkling of snow made things a little more exciting, over 80 Skylarks were recorded around the island no doubt crowing around cattle feeders waiting spillages to feed on, the three Chaffinch were still in Funny Park as was the overwintering Redpoll. Other bits around the obs and Holland included a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 23 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing and a couple of Robins. 

The 3rd was the first sign of a thaw happening, it also saw the return of the drake Green-winged Teal on Gretchen. It's not been seen for a little while so good to have it back. Another 1st Winter Glaucous Gull was hanging around the on the Seal Skerry and 4 Little Grebes on Brides were a notable count if nothing else. Otherwise things have been pretty quiet and we await the return migrants and warmer weather with keen anticipation. 

                                   A snowy bird obs scene

                                   Peregrine (phone scope sorry about quality!)