17th-19th May

 A warm and calm day on the 17th coupled with a light Southerly wind meant conditions didn't initially feel ideal for migrants, the warm and clear days often mean that migrants pass us over and in a way I suppose they did. The first indication of movement came in the shape of a Sparrowhawk that slowly made its way South. In the meantime a third Hawfinch of the year was discovered feeding amongst the chickens at Southness before making a short trip over to Newbiggin. Next on the bird of prey front was a bit of a repeat and somewhat of a mystery. A small Harrier was seen over Phisligar as it headed South before being mobbed as it broke into the airspace over Hooking; it almost wasn't apparent how small this Harrier was until it was met by several angry Black-headed Gulls, only a touch bigger than them it had alarm bells ringing pretty quickly. A pale overall ground colour, lack of any grey hood and its general jizz pushed this into serious contention of being North Ronaldsay's 2nd record of Pallid Harrier, however views at this point were limited and sadly that's how the viewing would stay. Frantic phone calls, staff being in the wrong place to intercept the bird and the direction in which the bird left the island left us a bit frustrated that for the second time in under a week, probably the same bird had given us the slip, third time lucky maybe? The next bird of note was a female Marsh Harrier that drifted its way South down the west side only to be followed shortly after by the islands 5th record of Black Kite, the bird showed superbly over Cott and West Beach before making its way high towards Sanday. All in all despite the frustrations of the Harrier it had been a good day and with dinner fast approaching a call from Helen at the Wool Mill to say she'd seen some Orca it was about to get better! We were treated to a fabulous showing from two Bull Orcas as they leisurely swam around the top end of the island. Not a bad day at all! 

The following two days would be somewhat less exciting and with final dregs of the previous weeks fall all but dried up it was very much a case of scraping the barrel for any extra highlights, but given the 17th feast of birds and cetaceans we not complaining....much! The highlights from the 18th and 19th were as follows. 3 Tree Pipits, one at the North end, one at Cauldhaim and one still around Lurand, 2 Wood Sandpipers and 2 Ruff on Ancum, 2 Common Redpoll at Veracott, 2 Siskin and a summer plumaged Black-throated Diver in Nouster.

                                   Orca

                                   Hawfinch

 

Black Kite