9th May

Another fantastic day of birding included some good new birds, as well as plenty of leftovers from the previous day's fall. The highlights were a female Marsh Harrier over Brides Loch in the afternoon, the first Reed Warbler and first 2 Spotted Flycatchers of the year, 2 Wrynecks (1 new, 1 from the day before), and 3 Grasshopper Warblers. The Red-backed Shrike was still at the north of the island.

Wheatears reached a new high of 360 birds and Tree Pipits increased to at least 41. Counts of other small migrants included 100 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 18 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 10 Pied Flycatchers, 27 Redstarts, 3 Whinchats, 16 Robins, 4 Dunnocks and 4 White Wagtails. A Sand Martin was the first for more than a month; 40 Fieldfares, 15 Song Thrushes, 12 Ring Ouzels and 3 Redwings made up a good selection of thrushes; and finches included 6 Bramblings and 2 each of Siskin and Common Redpoll.

As well as the harrier, raptors were represented by 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Merlin. A Common Scoter was in Linklet Bay, and 7 Common Sandpipers were around the coast.

Wryneck

Roll up, roll up, there's a Circus in town!