1st - 7th August

Moving into August we have seen the first full week of autumn census with the whole island being covered again each day. However, as is often the case with the first week of August, it has been a relatively quiet week, with just a sprinkling of new arrivals alongside a few long staying birds. 

A Little Stint at Bewan on 1st was the first of the autumn. Other wader sightings including a total of 104 Ringed Plovers (first triple figure count since early June), 3 Ruff (2 juveniles at Gretchen and the lingering adult at Ancum), 48 Bar-tailed Godwits and 161 Curlews. The Pacific Golden Plover was seen again at Laird's Park. A Risso's Dolphin was seen from the Sea-watch Hide. 2nd saw slight increases in most wader counts, with a notable increase in Lapwing from 96 to 298. Two Merlins were seen at the Links and a Redpoll flew over Ancum Willows.

Golden Plover totals on 3rd moved comfortably into four figures with 1581 logged. A Grey Plover was at Howar and two Whimbrels were around the north end, with counts for most common wader species remaining high. A Cuckoo was seen at Cauldhame, which was potentially the same juvenile present in July. Highlights on 4th included a Leach's Petrel seen passing the Sea-watch Hide and the first Willow Warblers of the autumn seen at Senness and Rue. The following day saw three Willow Warblers logged, with a Short-eared Owl seen flying south over Howar. 44 Sooty Shearwaters, 93 Manx Shearwaters and 159 Storm Petrels were seen from the Sea-watch Hide, with a Minke Whale, Risso's Dolphin and 2+ Tuna making up the non-avian highlights. Six Ruff were on Ancum also.

Cuckoo - TG

Three Hen Harriers arrived on 6th (one adult female and two juveniles) and a Greenshank was at Ancum. The escaped Snow Goose also made a return, reappearing at Garso. 7th was a quiet affair, with an unseasonal Goldcrest at Bewan Pund the most notable arrival. The Pacific Golden Plover was back at Westness and the Red-backed Shrike remained around its favoured spot near Ancum Willows.