NORTH RONALDSAY - 11th April

Super flat-calm first thing so we took advantage to undertake a whole-island Black Guillemot count and the resulting total of 921 was an excellent return – the previous island record count being 841 in 2017.   There was a dramatic increase in productivity in 2013 after many years of very few chicks managing to fledge so we are starting to recruit breeding age adults from this period around now.

                A similar spread of migrants across the island to previous days comprised 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Merlin in off the sea, 4 Woodpigeons, a Long-eared Owl trapped in Holland at dusk, 125 Skylarks, 2 Dunnocks, 49 Robins, 21 Wheatear, a Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinches, 4 Common Redpolls, a Siskin, an increase to 115 Linnets, 17 Snow Buntings and 6 Reed Buntings.

                Other little bits included 13 Great-northern Divers, 2 Herons, 2 Barnacle Geese, 11 Shelduck, an influx of 41 Tufted Ducks, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Great Skuas.

Two drake Shovelers competing over a female

Raven