RSPB Bird Reports

ORKNEY BIRD RECORDS
JUNE 2006

North Ronaldsay reported the month’s only Great Northern Diver (on 15th) and Storm Petrels (one on 13th, two on 18th). That island also produced a Manx Shearwater on 18th, three having been seen off the Muckle Green Holm on 4th.

The long staying Canada Goose was still on Sanday (with its Whooper Swan pal) on 10th whilst another was in the Brodgar area on 11th and 16th. A Green-winged Teal was a rare visitor to Shapinsay’s Mill Dam on 4th while 40 Shovelers were there on 23rd. Two Garganey visited North Ronaldsay on 14th. Five Scaup lingered on the Harray Loch on 1st, two also being seen on North Ronaldsay on 12th; late Long-tailed Ducks were on the Peedie Sea on 2nd and on Lairo Water, Shapinsay next day and three Goldeneye were at Mill Dam, also on 3rd. A young male Velvet Scoter on the Harray Loch at Brodgar on 1st was an unusual inland record.

An Osprey passed over the Brig o’Waithe on 11th while a Marsh Harrier was on Sanday on 5th and 26th and a Hobby was seen over a Kirkwall garden on 25th.A Quail was seen at Tres Ness, Sanday on 11th while single Spotted Crakes were seen on North Ronaldsay on 1st and Papay on 8th.

North Ronaldsay recorded a peak of 60 Knot on 14th while one at Brodgar next day was unusual inland. 50 Sanderling were on Sanday on 10th, North Ronaldsay’s maximum being 44 on 8th; 34 were also at Veantrow Bay, Shapinsay on 3rd a day when that island also recorded its peak Dunlin numbers with 110 at The Ouse. Curlew Sandpipers are scarce in spring so that one on the Stenness Loch shore on 6th and others on North Ronaldsay (two on 14th, one on 26th) were of note as were two Little Stints on Sanday on 10th. Four Purple Sandpipers on Corn Holm (Copinsay) on 3rd were followed by five on Papay next day. The only live Woodcock was one in Rendall on 5th although the remains of another were found on an Orphir beach mid-month. Up to 25 Black-tailed Godwits were at the Brodgar pools mid-month with 17 at The Loons, Birsay on 27th and up to five on North Ronaldsay. The highest concentration of Bar-tailed Godwits was of 30 on Sanday on 10th. Whimbrel continued to pass over North Ronaldsay on many dates with a maximum of four on 18th. A Spotted Redshank was at Mill Dam on 4th and a Greenshank on Sanday next day while male Ruff in all their finery were seen on Sanday on 5th and at Brodgar pools (two) on 14th.

Little Gulls were reported from Mill Dam on 4th and North Ronaldsay on 12th and 18th/19th, the latter island also recording an Iceland Gull on 27th. Two Black Terns in full plumage at Tuquoy, Westray on 16th must have been a fine sight while one-two Little Terns were on North Ronaldsay on three dates, other being seen at two potential south isles breeding sites.

The only Turtle Dove was one on Papay on 5th where a Collared Dove also appeared on 26th, North Ronaldsay recording a peak of nine on 17th. Cuckoos were reported calling at seven widespread localities up until mid-month while Swifts appeared in South Ronaldsay and North Ronaldsay on 11th/12th and peaked at the latter on 14th when there were seven. Sand Martins were few and far between with birds only in Stenness on 2nd and 28th and Sanday on 10th.

A pair of Grey Wagtails was at Ireland on 11th inviting speculation as to whether they may again be breeding there. Single Yellow Wagtails were on North Ronaldsay on 12th and Stronsay on 18th. A Bluethroat was a good find in Tankerness on 12th, the same date as a lingering Redwing occurred on North Ronaldsay. An Icterine Warbler was on that island on 9th as were Whitethroats on five dates up until 20th; the only Lesser Whitethroat was one in Finstown on 15th. Single Garden Warblers were in both Rendall and North Ronaldsay on 8th, the same two localities reporting the only Blackcaps on 16th and 5th & 15th respectively. Chiffchaffs were at Herston on 5th, North Ronaldsay on 8th (three) and Sanday on 10th (two) while, away from breeding sites, Willow Warblers were seen at Herston on 3rd and North Ronaldsay on 8th and 20th. Spotted Flycatchers appeared on North Ronaldsay on 8th and at Windwick, South Ronaldsay on 16th another being watched apparently carrying nesting material at Hoxa on about 10th. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was a good record from Papay on 8th as was a Red-backed Shrike on North Ronaldsay on 4th. Two Common Redpolls were on North Ronaldsay on 7th while one-two Siskins were in Rendall on 4th and 18th and in Finstown on 13th and 15th. Finally, single Crossbills in Stromness on about 24th and over Rendall on 30th raised hopes that this may be an irruption year.

Eric Meek

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