23rd May

A day dominated by utterly foul weather was not predicted to provide particularly fruitful birding, but it managed to surpass expectations and a few good scarcities were discovered. The highlight was undoubtedly a female Red-necked Phalarope that spent the day on Trollavatn, feeding on insects in the company of a Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint. Also very scarce on the island, and a new species for the year, was a female Scaup on Gretchen Loch.

Other wildfowl sightings included 2 drake Garganeys, a late Red-breasted Merganser and the lingering group of 16 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese. The Short-eared Owl was still present, and a scanty selection of small landbirds included a White Wagtail, a Common Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a Lesser Redpoll.

 The Red-necked Phalarope gave good views, but was uncharacteristically skittish and not approachable enough for close-range photographs to be taken.

Scaup