RSPB Bird Reports

ORKNEY BIRD RECORDS
JUNE 2003

Headline news this month has been the establishment of a new Gannetry. Until now the only nesting Gannets in Orkney have been on Sule Stack where there are some 5000 pairs but, this summer, five pairs have built nests on the Noup, Westray and at least one egg has been laid. The establishment of a new Gannetry is an event of historical note. In the last 30 years, the only new British colonies to have been founded have been on Fair Isle (1975), Foula (1980) and Troup Head, Grampian (1987). The other likely site in Orkney is the Horse of Copinsay and we will be keeping a close eye on that locality in the future.

The early part of the month saw small numbers of Swifts, Chiffchaffs and Spotted Flycatchers on North Ronaldsay where there were also 150 Sanderlings and a Yellow Wagtail on 1st and single lingering Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Goose until 6th/7th. A Spotted Flycatcher was also reported from Rendall and a Swift from Herston. A Nightjar was a very rare visitor to North Ronaldsay on 3rd while a Crossbill in Rendall that day was the first of a series of records (maximum seven in Rendall on 15th) suggesting that an irruption may be beginning.

There was a nice selection of migrants on 4th with a Honey Buzzard in Firth, a Hobby in Tankerness, a Little Gull on Shapinsay, a Cuckoo in Rendall and Greenshank, Knot and two Black Redstarts on North Ronaldsay. That island also produced a Little Gull and a Common Rosefinch next day when a late Velvet Scoter was off Herston and a Wood Warbler was in Orphir. The trickle of late migrants continued with Tree Pipit, Turtle Dove and Red-backed Shrike on North Ronaldsay on 7th, Icterine Warbler at Herston on 8th and a Short-toed Lark on North Ronaldsay on 9th; Buzzard on Eday (8th) and a late Great Northern Diver in Wyre Sound (9th) were also of note. Another Common Rosefinch appeared on North Ronaldsay on 10th while a Woodcock there next day was very late. Also on 11th, an Osprey passed over Rendall, a Long-eared Owl appeared at Herston and a Quail was on Hoy but the most unusual record was of a Melodious Warbler trapped and ringed on Sanday. Only the 13th Orkney record, what was even more unusual about this individual was that it was retrapped shortly afterwards on Foula!

Another very rare migrant was found on 12th - this time an Isabelline Wheatear on Papay. This is the first Orkney record of this species from Central Asia and the most easterly parts of Europe and one of the very few to have been seen in Britain in the spring. A cock Garden Warbler began singing in Rendall about this time but seemingly didn't find a mate in contrast to a Whitethroat at the same site which did, breeding being strongly suspected. A Grey Wagtail was seen on Hoy on 13th and again, at a different locality, on 22nd. On 15th, North Ronaldsay logged four Manx Shearwaters, eight Storm Petrels and a late Long-tailed Duck offshore with a Reed Warbler onshore. Two Sand Martins were at the Brig o' Waithe on 17th but breeding does not seem to be taking place anywhere this year. Albino Starlings caught the attention with three on Hoy on 18th and another in Holm on 24th. Goldcrests have very few breeding sites in Orkney so the sighting of fledged young in Rendall on 23rd was notable. Another Osprey was seen on 25th, this time over Finstown with probably the same bird over Hoy next day while another Common Rosefinch visted North Ronaldsay at this time. A Hobby was resident for several days on Burray mid-month while what may have been the same bird entertained several observers at Herston on 26th; there was a Swift over Stenness next day. An interesting month was brought to a fine close with a Bee-eater on Rousay on 28th.

E.R.Meek

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