Took a bit of a wander around Northside today. There were 65 or so Arctic Terns there including a single 2cy. The Arctics were pretty interested in nesting, there was a fair bit of courtship feeding with sand eels, some birds may have been sitting on nests.
Chatting to folk it seems the sand eels are in, depends whether they stay of course.
Also of interest were breeding Rockit and Wheatear, breeding Oystercatcher and Lapwing, a passing Whimbrel and a passing dark phase Arctic Skua.
Back at the ranch an intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull was notable.
I set the moth trap up on Thursday night as I had a school group coming up to look at mini-beasts yesterday. I've not had time to do much mothing of late. Four Poplar Hawks were popular with the children.
But of most interest locally would be this Peppered Moth which I think would be the third Orkney record (I caught the second one a few years ago).
Actually saw the Corncrake today as it flew whilst I was looking for it from the car, flew towards me as well, but of course I couldn't see it on the ground. Last night it could be heard from our bedroom (if you listened very, very carefully with the window wide open...).
Drama this morning as scanning the Shunan everything went up and I was in time to see a Peregrine take a second go at an adult Oystercatcher, probably one of a breeding pair on the back of The Shunan. The Peregrine had it in its talons as it lifted off but dropped it from a height and followed it down.
Threatening skies tonight as the rain came in from the south.
I've only heard this species once from the patch, actually from the garden late one summer. However, on my return from Cairngorm, Louise mentioned on that afternoon she had heard what she thought was one on the track. I wandered around that night, walking the dog, but no bananas. Early this evening and I discovered a serious lack of pasta, required for Jamie's pasta dish. As usual a pause at The Shunan for a scan, mmmm is that a Gadwall? Reverse up a bit and quite clearly not Gadwall.
Here's the rain coming in this afternoon.
Whilst in Cairngorm no time for birding really as working just about 24/7 however a singing Wood Warbler at the centre was very nice. Green and GtSp Woodies, Trepit and bril views of Osprey whilst canoeing on Loch Insh. Returned totally kn#####ed so no early starts, 11:30 out birding today.
Shelducks have four chicks, no idea how they've managed that as they looked to have failed weeks ago. Mutes on Bosquoy have 5 and the Sedge Warbler population seems stable with three pairs The Shunan, and at least two at Bosquoy, will be checking Howaback shortly.
After supper now - can hear it from the garden.
At Skail yesterday first Eider chicks of the year.
Whilst listening to the Corncrake this mepit showed nicely.
Arbitary R-bM photo from Bosquoy early in the week
A text from PH summoned me to the Orphir Rd, scene of last year's big Orca pod. A single beast had been seen, I kind of suspected that this would not be quite right, and sure enough a single Minke Whale was evident feeding avidly around the Sound. I suspect this may well be the same animal as hung around Clestrain last year and was quite often reported as an Orca. Unfortunately I didn't stay quite long enough it seems as a pod of five Orcas showed well off Ness Point a little later. Also in the Sound were quite a few divers including two Black-throats and at least one GND, as well as a few Red-throats. Plenty of auks and Arctic Terns too.
On to Yesnaby where there were a few skuas about, lots of breeding waders and piles of auks passing.
Back at The Shunan the drake Shoveler is still present as were a pair of Gadwall and a pair of Teal.
