MOSTLY ORKNEY BIRDS by Keith Hague

What's about?

Sightings - Week commencing Sun., 27th January 2008

27th Jan.
706 Pink-footed Geese were counted in Deerness, where a Barnacle Goose and four Whooper Swans were seen.
A different group of four Whooper Swans was seen in Toab.

28th Jan.
Much to Paul's relief, the Mediterranean Gull turned up again in Kirkwall, where he found a Pied Wagtail.
(Two new year ticks - only 107 or so to go, Paul).
160 Twite were seen in Holm.

29th Jan.
A flock of 238 Pochard and two drake Scaup were seen in Tankerness.

30th Jan.
A hybrid goose, probably White-fronted x Barnacle was seen with Greylags in Holm. At a distance the bird could have been mistaken for a dark-phase Snow Goose (the so-called 'Blue Goose'). The scarcity of Whooper Swans continues, but four still remained in Holm.


31st Jan.
357 Redshanks were seen in Deerness, along with 88 Oystercatchers (the first signs of birds returning).
An even larger flock of 138 Oystercatchers was seen in Tankerness, with three Black-tailed Godwits and 170 Dunlins.
The hybrid goose was still present in Holm.

1st Feb.
Three Gadwalls, four Whooper Swans, a female Common Scoter and the hybrid were seen in Holm.