NORTH RONALDSAY - 6th April

A nice calm start to the day but a brisk, chilly NE wind soon sprung up for the rest of the day; there was a small turnover of birds from yesterday with a similar array of species just in smaller numbers, although a chunk of the day was taken up with sheep punding.   My totals from the Obs, Holland and the northern census route in the afternoon included a Woodcock in Holland first thing (been very scarce this spring), 7 Woodpigeons, 105+ Skylark, the first Collared Dove of the year bombing round the island, 4 Dunnocks, 32 Robins, 6 Wheatears, 2 Song Thrushes, 22 Redwing, 7 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinches and a new Common Redpoll at Senness.

                Other birds included 2 Herons, 6 Shelduck, 130 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 7 Pintail, a Goldeneye and 2 Merlin.

Common Redpoll

Tysties

being flushed by a Bonxie