Sunday 16 July 2017

NORTH RONALDSAY - 16th July


A windy morning gradually increasing to a very windy afternoon with some really nasty, heavy showers sweeping through; went up to Bewan first thing and finally (after two previous attempts) connected with the stunning adult summer WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN roosting on the rocks by the Beacon with 4,000+ Arctic Terns - it was seen briefly a week ago and equally briefly last night and was only around for a short period this morning but there are thousands of Arctic Terns all over the place so it’s hard to check every flock!

                The cut fields up the island were also full of birds including 750+ Golden Plover, 459 Oystercatchers, 17 Bar-tailed Godwit and 60+ Curlew.   Didn’t really do much else until late afternoon when Gretchen was very productive as birds of note comprised the 5 Red-necked Phalaropes still, the two juvenile Garganey, an influx of 104 Dunlin and 30 Redshank, 4 Shoveler, 4 Sanderling and single Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit.



White-winged Black Tern on the rocks at Bewan


Arctic Skuas still chasing Tysties



Garganey

Shelduck

Redshank

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