10th-12th February

10th February

A wider coverage on the island allowed us to achieve a greater wildfowl count and some attention was directed to the sea.  8 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 21 Tysties.  Wildfowl included 253 Wigeon, 64 Teal, Green-winged Teal, 12 Pintail, 21 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 25 Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye and the lingering drake Smew.  We were very fortunate to host a second Hen Harrier a stunning male joining the remaining ringtail on the island.  Further highlights included Peregrine, 2 Linnet, 11 Twite and 6 Grey Heron.  Finally, notably high counts: 42 Coot, 93 Lapwing, 21 Bar-tailed Godwit, 43 Curlew, 35 Rock Dove, and 11 Redwing.

11th February

Little time was spent in the field but a remarkably good tally still makes for an enjoyable winter birding scene.  Notable birds included 2 Great Northern Diver, 37 Tysties, 3 Goldeneye, Smew, Peregrine, 22 Snipe, 5 Skylark, the lingering male Northern Harrier and the White-billed Diver was resighted for the third time from Dennis Head (presumably the same individual as that at the same location on the 2nd and 9th Feb).

12th February

Birding from Twingness, the south western corner of the island has heralded some of the first signs of spring with displaying Eider and 107 Tysties (our first triple figure count of the year) and some were even heard singing.  Other birds of note included 9 Red-throated Diver, a great total of 29 Great Northern Diver and a Little Auk flying south past  the point.  Other notable species included 2 Whooper Swan, Eurasian White-fronted Goose, 102 Teal, Green-winged Teal, 42 Mallard, 12 Long-tailed Duck, Hen Harrier, Northern Harrier, a Merlin in off the sea from the south west, 75 Purple Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, our first Pied Wagtail of the year, 6 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 4 Raven and a Chaffinch.

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