As at 23 May, 115 species of birds have been seen in and around our home at Gerraquoy in 2020. We also keep organic Shetland cattle nearby at Eastside, and our daily checks pick up many birds.

27 March: A pod of 6 Risso’s dolphins passing by Grimness Head, South Ronaldsay.

28 March: Siberian Chiffchaff, Eastside, South Ronaldsay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 April: Adult Iceland gull, Eastside, South Ronaldsay.

6 April: Bonxies (Great skua) back!

8 April: Sandwich terns return.

9 April: 2 Pale-bellied Brent geese, Gerraquoy, South Ronaldsay.

 

 

 

 

 

8 April: Sand martins back and male Siskin at Gerraquoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 April: Swallows (back home on 21 April) and Wheatears return and Northern Pintail, Eastside, South Ronaldsay.

20 April: White-spotted Bluethroat, near Gerraquoy, South Ronaldsay – only the 4th Orkney record!

 

 

 

 

 

24 April: Female Black Redstart near Gerraquoy, South Ronaldsay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

27 April: Dunlin and Sanderling numbers passing through heading North.

 

 

 

 

 

1 May: A mini-fall! Blackcap, Common Redstarts, Common Whitethroat, Pied Flycatcher all at or near Gerraquoy, South Ronaldsay.

2 May: Drake Garganey, Eastside, South Ronaldsay.

3 May: Arctic terns return.

4 May: Little terns return and 2 Harbour porpoises off Grimness Head.

5 May: Arctic Skuas back and Sedge Warblers singing.

6 May: Our local Ravens are almost fledged with a brood of four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 May: 3 Red Knot, Grimness Head.

16 May: Corncrake singing near Gerraquoy, South Ronaldsay.