With a ridge of high pressure over the Orkney Islands and strong (cold) northerly winds, weather patterns during these 4 – 5 days affected bird movements but then that’s all part of the random nature of birding. The mega rarities, warblers, smaller summer migrants (bluethroats, shrikes) were largely absent, and the Bird Observatory volunteers were not netting but we were compensated by a wealth of waders - fields full of Turnstones in colourful rusty summer garb waiting their chance for the onward journey to Iceland and northern Scandinavia, then as the wind strength decreased, they were gone. We also had flocks of Knots and Bar tailed godwits, looking smart in summer plumage and, on the shore, Sanderlings, Purple Sandpipers, Ringed Plovers and Dunlins.
American Golden Plover, Knots and Turnstone (Dave Barnett).
rom the hide overlooking Ancum Loch we had good views of Little Stint, Snipe and some claimed a Water Rail ran over their feet. A textbook American Golden Plover was an easy spot, feeding with the North Ron sheep on the abandoned golf course behind Linklet Bay. Every 20 metres or so there were Starling nests in the stone walls with youngsters demanding food and sounding a bit like Corncrakes and in the absence of cliff ledges, confiding and affectionate pairs of Fulmars had established nests in the shelter of the walls. Offshore there were sightings of skuas, divers, Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Gannets and terns.
SOn the last evening, a Spotted Flycatcher turned up just outside the dining room and there was a Black Redstart in the bushes outside the observatory that we looked for but failed to see.
We missed the Dotterel, reputedly on the headland on the north west of the island, and a pod of 2 orcas.
We missed the Dotterel, reputedly on the headland on the north west of the island, and a pod of 2 orcas.
Black Guillemots, Great Northern Divers and Snipe (Dave Barnett).
Alison at the Bird Observatory along with the volunteers, produced excellent fresh homecooked breakfasts and evening meals which included roast North Ron mutton on Monday evening. Rhubarb is about the only fresh home grown produce available this time of year, and Alison made this into delicious rhubarb crumble and rhubarb ice cream. We found breaking the day at midday welcome, so we had homemade soup and sandwich lunch on demand. Our thanks to Alison for looking after us so well, and to Craig for helping us to locate birds.
We were a group of 10 and arrived variously by tiny 6-seater plane from Kirkwall or twice weekly ferry. We were indebted to Sue for organising (enjoy the autumn trip) and to Hugh for driving the community minibus, without which it would have been much more difficult to get around. There are bikes for hire at the airport but cycling into a northerly headwind without gears is not recommended, ask Fiona!
We were a group of 10 and arrived variously by tiny 6-seater plane from Kirkwall or twice weekly ferry. We were indebted to Sue for organising (enjoy the autumn trip) and to Hugh for driving the community minibus, without which it would have been much more difficult to get around. There are bikes for hire at the airport but cycling into a northerly headwind without gears is not recommended, ask Fiona!
Lesser Whitethroat (Dave Barnett).
In total, 83 full species were recorded by our party.
Maggie Gilvray
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