22nd - 28th March

22nd March

The first Wheatear of the year appeared in the Nether Linnay stubble field. A Chiffchaff was at Bewan.

Chiffchaff (George Gay)

23rd March

A Woodcock was flushed near the obs and the first two Dunnock of the year appeared almost simultaneously at Holland and Burray. A Sparrowhawk was at North Gravity, and a Wheatear was on the Sangar track. An evening nets session produced a female Siskin and a Woodcock.

Siskin (Maddy Hine)

24th March

The first Sandwich Tern of the year was in Nouster, and the Siskin ringed the previous day had made its way up to Bewan. An evening dazzling produced a Jack Snipe.

Jack Snipe (Maddy Hine)

25th March

Goldcrests were at Lochend and Verracott. Chiffchaffs were at Lochend and Ancum Willows. A Rook flew north over Garso. The earliest ever island record of Swallow was over Hooking. 

Goldcrest (Maddy Hine)

Swallow (George Gay)

26th March

A Pink-footed Goose was at Greenwall with Greylags and a Siskin was at the obs. A couple of Twite were at Howar, as was the first Grey Plover of the year. The Long-billed Dowitcher put in another brief appearance on Ancum and the first Puffins of the year flew past the sea watch hide.

27th March

Two year ticks came from Census area C in the form of a Woodpigeon at Peckhole and and Knot on the links. A Pink-footed Goose and four Rook were also at Peckhole, and two Sandwich Tern were heard to fly over the obs.

Knot (Maddy Hine)

Woodpigeon (Maddy Hine)

28th March

The first Yellowhammer of the year was seen briefly on the road up to Holland. A Wheatear was on the Links and a Rook was at the obs. A Sparrowhawk was in Ancum Willows.

Wheatear (George Gay)

Throughout the week the Snow Goose has been a constant presence, lingering between fields at the Old Kirk, Holland, and the Post Office.

Away from birds, an was Otter caught on our camera trap at T1, and then another was seen at the back of Seaside a couple of days later.

Snow Goose (George Gay)

Otter - just!