23rd - 25th August

The easterlies finally arrived but to our disappointment, with them came the fog. The birding started slow but we still managed to eek out some good birds despite the weather, and when it finally cleared the migrants really started to roll in, meaning overall it has been a very promising start to the autumn.

The 23rd started with the three Tree Sparrows being relocated in the Lurand pund, having moved down the coast from the Shooting Gallery. A Wood Warbler was found early on the west coast just north of Gretchen, raising hopes for what else might be lurking in the fog. The Wood Warbler later found itself in Holland Gardens and was trapped and ringed on the 24th. There was also a Pied Flycatcher at the back of South Ness, a Whinchat and Buzzard between north and south Gravity, and a Common Whitethroat at Westness. Later in the day a Grasshopper Warbler was found in the Haskie thistles and on a trip to put the moth trap out at Ancum, a Short-eared Owl was seen in the car headlights at the War Memorial.

The 24th was a much better day for migrants, with a Red-backed Shrike being found early on in the Bewan punds. There were Lesser Whitethroat in the Shooting Gallery and at North Manse, Common Whitethroat at Scottigar, Haskie and the Shooting Gallery, and a Whinchat at Ancum. A Barred Warbler was found in the Cruesbreck garden, and a very difficult to pin down acro in the Brides irises eventually turned out to be a Marsh Warbler, our third of the year. There was also a Tree Sparrow and Chiffchaff in the Shooting Gallery. Later in the day a Wryneck was found at the Old Kirk, before it disappeared into Holland garden. Despite getting the nets open quickly, it soon vanished further west and was later seen at the Old Mill. In the evening a Wood Sandpiper was seen flying around Ancum calling.

The 25th was a much clearer and sunnier day overall, meaning there was much less about as migrants started to clear out. Despite this, a Barred Warbler was found at Antabreck and the Red-backed Shrike remained in the Bewan punds. There was also a Buzzard seen flying down the Links, a Pied Flycatcher at Barrenha, Whitethroat in Ancum Willows and Loch Park, and Whinchat in Dennishill and Ancum Willows.

The American Golden Plover remains in the same field at Cott, and overall there are many more Willow Warbler about, being seen in greater numbers every day. A Kestrel has also been seen across all days, mainly between Tor Ness, Westness and Trebb. More Swift have also been seen across the island.

With some more promising easterlies forecast for later in the week, we hope the past few days are just a sign of things to come.

Wood Warbler - AB

Kestrel - VB