NORTH RONALDSAY - 20th March

Not a bad morning with a moderate westerly breeze and some sunshine but it deteriorated by the afternoon becoming wet and windier; I walked round the coast from the Obs to The Links in the morning where notable migrants comprised a female Stonechat at Howar and an increased 8 Pied Wagtails.   Other totals included 5 Red-throated Divers, 4 Shelduck, 189 Wigeon, 205 Teal, 18 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Hen Harrier, 333 Golden Plover, a Knot, a further increase to 184+ Black-headed Gulls (including 70 around Hooking), the 2 Woodpigeons, 12 Rock Pipits, 32 Twite, a Common Redpoll and a Snow Bunting.

                The days highlight though was when I went for a drive to the top end and there was a lovely adult Kumlien’s Gull on the grass by Bewan House which showed very well.

Kumlien's Gull

Stonechat

Pied Wagtail

Black-headed Gull