5th August

Once again, landbird migration being barely under way, most birding interest belonged to the marshland wading species that continued to tour the island in search of secluded patches of mud. The fringes of Ancum Loch provided the undisturbed habitat for a couple of Green Sandpipers, a Wood Sandpiper was at Westness, and 3 Common Sandpipers in Linklet Bay completed the sandpiper trinity. There were still plenty of Golden Plovers, Curlews and Oystercatchers in the fields, joined by 3 Greenshanks during a morning spell of fog, and at least 2 Ruffs were seen. The only other sightings of interest were a Kestrel and the long-staying Swift.