13th-15th May
Bit of a late blog post here although recent days have been generally quieter than opening weeks of May, with most of the common migrants moving on. However, there have still been a few notable sightings and a couple of year list additions. We're now well into the period when just about anything can turn up so even when it's quiet it's worth going out!
13th began with a ringing demonstration and talking to guests from the Ocean Nova cruise ship about the Observatory's work to monitor North Ronaldsay's bird life. Luckily we caught a nice little variety of birds including a Common Gull in the gull trap, along with a Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and 2 Linnets in the Obs heligoland traps. Following this, census highlights included a Tree Sparrow at Brigg, a Knot at Westness, 1 Wood Pigeon, 3 Tree Pipits, 1 Whinchat, 1 Ring Ouzel and 5 Chiffchaffs. The first Red Admiral of the year was seen at Verracott.
14th had a nice variety of sightings with two Bramblings at the Obs, the first Swift of the year at Holland (later relocating to Brides), a Hen Harrier, Long-eared Owl, Siskin, 2 Whimbrels and a Dotterel at Torness. The highlight of the day was the year's second White-tailed Eagle (carrying a transmitter), which came in off the sea at Brides, subsequently completing a tour of the island before heading off south.
15th was quiet during the morning, although a Quail discovered by the roadside south of Holland livened up the day, as did the reappearance of 4 Dotterels at Sandar (although with 3 males and a female, it appears we have added at least one new bird here). A Yellow Wagtail was seen in flight over the Links and two Hen Harriers were seen including a male over the Obs crop. The highlight of the day was the rediscovery of the Yellow Wagtail sp. from the 6th May in East Loch Park. The bird showed much better than it did on its previous sighting - a lovely bird, which on further research appears to be a close fit to either flava x cinereocapilla or flava x thunbergi intergrades, although is equally similar to some individuals of Eastern Yellow Wagtail based on plumage features. Unfortunately, our sound recording of the bird's calls appears to be of insufficient quality for us to take it further than this currently (North Ronaldsay's persistent wind doesn't lend well to obtaining high quality recordings...) so we will have to hope it reappears again!
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