31st August - 2nd September

Easterlies finally prevail, and it looks like they will do for at least the next week. They have already brought us some interesting surprises over the past few days, so we can only hope they continue to do so over the rest of the autumn.

The 31st saw the Great Shearwater once again pass the north end of the island, being seen first going north, and then an hour later going south. Also on the sea watch were two adult Pomarine Skua, 121 Manx Shearwater, 42 Sooty Shearwater, and a Minke Whale. A Black-throated Diver was seen off the Links, and the Buzzard remained, being seen over Antabreck flying east. There was also a Goldcrest at Scottsha and a Sparrowhawk over the obs in the early evening. An early Dunnock was trapped in Holland in the morning, our first of the autumn.

The Great Shearwater kept to its schedule again on the 1st, passing the north end within the same hour as it has done the previous days. The Buzzard was still about, being seen flying from the Point of Burrian out towards Sanday. Our first Robin of the Autumn was trapped at Holland, as was the Paddyfield Warbler that was ringed a few days ago but has remained unseen skulking in the garden. On a brief sea watch, 2 Minke Whale were seen fully breaching from the north end of the island. The biggest surprise of the day however came in the evening nets session, when a Serin was heard calling as is flew over Holland House, being picked up as it dropped into roost with other Linnets. This represents not only a first for the island, but also a first for Orkney, so it was disappointing not to see the bird again despite keeping the nets open for the Linnet roost.

The Paddyfield Warbler was seen again briefly in Holland gardens on the 2nd. There was a Greenshank seen passing the sea watch hide, along with 6 Sooty Shearwater in a 1.5 hour stint. A Goldcrest was seen at the airfield, there was a Whinchat at Lenswick, and a Curlew Sandpiper was briefly on Gretchen in the early afternoon.

Paddyfield Warbler - GG

Curlew Sandpiper - VB