7th June

Further light easterly winds produced a classic late spring one-bird day. Hardly any new small migrants were found at all, except for a Blyth's Reed Warbler that spent the day singing at Holland House. This is the tenth record of the species on North Ronaldsay (although 2 from autumn 2010 are still awaiting official acceptance from the rarities comittee), and only the second ever in spring.

Blyth's Reed Warbler

A Quail singing near the school and a female Scaup (a different individual to the recent long-staying bird) on Ancum Loch were the best of the day's other sightings. The Taiga Bean Goose was still near Hooking Loch and 5 Pink-footed Geese were also present. The Reed Warbler and the Garden Warbler remained; 5 Collared Doves, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Siskins were seen; and 4 Grey Herons were around Ancum Loch.

6th June

A light sprinkling of common migrants from the gentle easterly breeze was an improvement on the previous few days. There was nothing rare, but a Yellow Wagtail, a Reed Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Pied Flycatcher were all noteworthy. Other small migrants included 4 Collared Doves, 2 Common Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Common Redpoll. A flock of 6 Common Scoters flying past Twingness was quite unusual, and 3 Grey Herons were present.

5th June

Although an extremely quiet day for birds, a pod of at least 5 Orcas just offshore from the lighthouse more than made up for the dearth of migrants. Initially seen far out to sea from the north of the island, they eventually found their way to Seal Skerry and spent a while harrying its eponymous inhabitants before heading quickly out to the north-east in front of a hurriedly assembled crowd of onlookers.

Lingering birds included the Bean Goose and a drake Garganey on Hooking Loch.

4th June

A Little Stint and a Merlin were just about the only new birds during another very quiet day. The Bean Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese and a Garganey were around Hooking Loch; 2 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Siskin and a Collared Dove were at Holland House, and 4 Manx Shearwaters were seen at sea.

3rd June

There was nothing out of the ordinary to report, and the only common species worth mentioning were 2 Siskins, a Common Redpoll, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 2 Woodpigeons and 2 Collared Doves.

2nd June

A Taiga Bean Goose near Sangar was a totally unexpected and very unseasonal sighting, as well as an addition to the island year-list. Bean Goose is a scarce, although fairly regular, visitor to North Ronaldsay, but usually only in the winter months: all previous observatory records have been during the period of October to April.

There was very little else of any interest. A drake Garganey was near the mill again, 3 Siskins, 2 Common Redpolls and 5 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen, and a count of 87 Dunlins was an increase on recent days.

Taiga Bean Goose: an absolutely fabalis June bird.

1st June

The North Ronaldsay summer began with a morning of force 8 mist, clearing for a short spell in the afternoon. New birds were few, but included a Quail outside the observatory and a Sparrowhawk. A Garganey was on Brides Loch, the 5 Siskins were still present, and a Woodpigeon, a Collared Dove, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher were seen.