Tuesday, 4 April 2017

NORTH RONALDSAY - 4th April


A largely sunny day but the blazing strong (and increasing) westerly wind and occasional vicious squall blasting through spoiled the day really; I went up to the north end for a seawatch first thing where there were big numbers of Auks moving past the hide as in two hours 72 Puffins (my first of the year) went past along with 2,833 Guillemots/Razorbills.

                I walked the middle census route in the afternoon where the standout, surprise in the very difficult conditions was a KINGFISHER feeding and sheltering in the ditch in front of Cauldhame – an awesome and out of the blue first for North Ronaldsay!   Other birds included a male Sparrowhawk, a female Peregrine, 2 Wheatears, 11 Redwings, 3 Woodpigeons and a notable increase to 456 Golden Plover (spilt between the Obs and Westness).


Kingfisher!

Whooper Swan

Peregrine

Shelduck


Purple Sandpipers

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