NORTH RONALDSAY - 14th October

Still lovely and calm, very pleasant to be out and about but it has to be said that we do feel slightly hard-done-by with quality birds all around us and hardly any new arrivals here!   Our meagre totals comprised 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Merlin, a further influx to 23 Black-tailed Godwits, a Short-eared Owl, 17 Robins, 2 Wheatears, 10 Fieldfare, 20 Song Thrush, 143 Redwing, a new Eastern Lesser Whitethroat at the Beacon, 4 Blackcap, a Yellow-browed Warbler at the north end, 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 5 Bramblings, a Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, a Common Redpoll and a good 94 Snow Buntings.   On a sadder note a juvenile Osprey was picked up from under a wind turbine in the north of the island after having struck the blades.

Osprey talon

Merlin

Skylark