14th - 24th May

 15th May

The American Golden Plover found three days prior reappeared on the Links. A White-tailed Eagle was picked up over Holland before it headed out south over Cruesbreck towards Sanday.

White-tailed Eagle - Charles Gunn

16th May

A nets session in Holland produced two Blackcap and one Lesser Whitethroat, with the now long-staying Collared Dove pair also heard singing. A Grey Wagtail flew west over Holland, a Ruff was at Ancum, and the American Golden Plover remained.

17th May

The day started with a Peregrine over Tor Ness, and went on to produce a long awaited for year tick in the form of two Little Stint on Trolla. The American Golden Plover remained.

18th May

A Barnacle Goose was at Peckhole, a smart summer plumage Black-throated Diver was in Nouster Bay, a vocal Tree Pipit was at Bewan, and two Little Stint were on Ancum. The American Golden Plover remained.

American Golden Plover - Charles Gunn

19th May

A Hen Harrier was seen over the Observatory early on and a Willow Warbler was heard in Ancum Willows. The Barnacle Goose relocated to Ancum and a Little Stint was back on Trolla. Afternoon nets produced a Garden Warbler, a Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff. A sea watch saw seven Manx Shearwater and 164 Puffin fly north past the sea watch hide in two hours. The American Golden Plover remained.

20th May

A Black Redstart was seen during breakfast prep at the Observatory but soon relocated to the cattle grid. Little Stint were at Tor Ness and Ancum, and a Common Sandpiper was at Bewan. The highlight of the day was two bull orca seen off Dennishead drifting towards to beacon, but soon vanished before anyone else could catch up with them.

21st May

A Spotted Flycatcher was at the obs and a male Redstart was at Rue.

22nd May

A two year-tick day with a Red-necked Phalarope and a Stock Dove at the Broch. Little Stint were on Trolla and Ancum. A Hen Harrier was over Ancum.

                                                               Red-necked Phalarope - GG

24th May

The day started well but ended up amounting to little. A Turtle Dove was at Kirbest early on, as was a Cuckoo at T3 and a Red-necked Phalarope was on Gretchen. A Nightjar on the rocks at Tor Ness was the last of the decent birds for the day.

                                                                              Nightjar - GG