29th-31st August
With autumn now fully underway, each day brings the chance of new sightings regardless of whether the weather conditions are perfect or not. Drifty conditions over the past few days have seen a trickle of arrivals, although a lack of rain has meant that numbers have remained rather low. 29th was relatively quiet with a Crossbill at Neven, Redstart at Antabreck, two Pied Flycatchers, a Common Whitethroat and three Grey Wagtails the most notable sightings, along with 17 Swifts and a Green Sandpiper.
30th was a calm sunny day with the slightest hint of a north easterly breeze. The day began with a Cory's Shearwater north past the Sea-watch Hide, followed by three new Barred Warblers at Rue, Antabreck and Holland, a Little Stint at Ancum and finally our third Pectoral Sandpiper of the year at Bewan. Other totals included two Reed Warblers (same bird at Holland and a new individual trapped and ringed at Ancum), 8 Willow Warblers, 2 Pied Flycatchers and one each of Garden Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, Crossbill and Grey Wagtail. The long staying Robin was rediscovered at Holland and two of the Great Spotted Woodpeckers from previous days were seen. 26 Risso's Dolphins were seen passing the Sea-watch Hide also.
31st starting in promising style with a Wryneck and Wood Warbler at Holland, the latter of which was trapped and ringed, and a Tree Pipit around the Obs. The early morning also delivered three Cory's Shearwaters which flew past the Sea-watch Hide. The ringed Barred Warblers reappeared at Holland and the Obs, with another individual discovered at Holland. The afternoon delivered two juvenile Little Gulls, with one north past the Sea-watch Hide and another found in Nouster Bay. An evening ringing session saw one of the Reed Warblers retrapped at Ancum Willows. We now look forward to what September will bring us!
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