NORTH RONALDSAY - 25th April

The ESE winds continued but slightly lighter than yesterday, it was a very different morning with low cloud, mist and murk, degenerating into a spell of rain mid-morning, it then brightened up to become a bright, sunny afternoon; year-ticks kept coming as befits the time of year and conditions with a Pied Flycatcher at The Lurn and 2 Grasshopper Warblers at the north end – Lighthouse Punds and Vincoin.

                Other totals across the island included a Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawks, up to 5 Kestrels, 4 Woodpigeons, 22 Swallows, 3 Dunnocks, 26 Robins, 60 Wheatears, a Ring Ouzel (my first of the year) at Holland, 2 Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 8 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 46 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warblers, a Goldcrest, a Carrion Crow, a Chaffinch, 11 Brambling and another increase to 320+ Linnets roosting at Holland in the evening.  

Grasshopper Warbler

Ringed Plover distraction display

Bathing Purple Sandpiper

Brambling