NORTH RONALDSAY - 4th September

A decent first half to the day with moderate WSW winds and bright conditions, it gradually deteriorated though eventually cumulating into a blazing north-westerly and driving rain by mid-afternoon; more seawatching producing the totals of 1,062 Fulmars, 31 Sooty Shearwaters, 23 Manx Shearwaters, 20 Bonxies, 80 Kittiwakes and the super early Little Auk seen again off the Beacon (by me this time!).   Other birds through the day comprised 4 Herons, 41 Wigeon, the first Sparrowhawk of the autumn, 2 Merlin, 817 Golden Plover, 192 Lapwing, the Shorelark making a rare foray down to Gretchen, 24 Sand Martins, 96 Swallows, a Whinchat, 87 Wheatears and 3 Willow Warblers.

Lesser Whitethroat