Thursday, 30 March 2017

NORTH RONALDSAY - 30th March


After a night of heavy rain it was still misty and damp at dawn but with not a breath of wind and it soon brightened up to become beautifully sunny and warm; there were a few birds around Holland first thing including a Chiffchaff, 16 Redwings (the two we caught were big, dark, long winged – 129 and 131 Icelandic coburni birds), a Mistle Thrush and c20 Blackbirds.

                I walked the north census route in the afternoon but unfortunately thick fog kept coming and going until it decided to come in and stay there were however some new birds around including 2 Black Redstarts (female types) at Vincoin, a Wheatear on the beach by Trolla, a Woodpigeon at Senness, 50+ Meadow Pipits and 16 Rock Pipits.  

Other counts of note comprised 192+ Purple Sandpipers, 110+ Turnstone, 7 Gadwall, 4 Pintail and a single lingering Goldeneye.   I also climbed the beacon to check the Ravens nest to find that they are sitting on six eggs.

Icelandic coburni (top) and Scandinavian iliacus Redwing (bottom)

Purple Sandpipers

No comments:

Post a Comment