16th March

The year's first Lesser Black-backed Gull was the only different species recorded. The adult Iceland Gull, the Dunnock and 43 European White-fronted Geese were all still present.

15th March

The Ides of March brought, most notably, the year's first Dunnock - a heartening sign in the Northern Isles that spring passerine migration is on its way. A couple of Meadow Pipits passed overhead with a small number of Skylarks, and at least 8 Pied Wagtails were scattered around the island. The day's Iceland Gull tally reached 4 different individuals, 1 of which was a new arrival, while a Jack Snipe was the best of the other non-passerines.

Dunnock

12th - 14th March

There was nothing of note to report on the 12th and 13th, but the 14th saw the beginning of 2012's systematic migrant census of the island. The best of a sparse selection of new migrants were a Chaffinch and a group of 5 Rooks, although the latter were a new species for the year. Long-staying Iceland Gulls were at Gravity and Westness, and a third individual was roosting on Seal Skerry. A Pink-footed Goose was again with the Greylags, and 2 Pied Wagtails were seen.

At least 12 Shelducks was an increase on recent counts.

10th - 11th March

An adult Glaucous Gull at Bridesness Point on the 10th was the only new bird of interest. A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags on the 10th, and the usual White-fronted Geese were still present throughout.

Although nothing unusual has been picked out from among the common species yet, good numbers of Eiders and other ducks around the coast are well worth scrutinising at this time of year.

6th - 9th March

Most of this period was spent painting the guest house and hostel, so there were very few sightings to report. The only birds worth mentioning were seen on the 8th, when an immature Glaucous Gull, a Pied Wagtail and the long-staying 67 European White-fronted Geese were the highlights of a short morning census.

4th - 5th March

On the 4th, the first Goldcrest of the year was at Holland House, 256 Skylarks were counted during the day and a Peregrine was another new migrant. Single lingering Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were still around, and the goose flocks contained a Pink-footed Goose and at least 63 White-fronted Geese, including the usual Greenland bird. The 5th was a pleasant day, but there was little to report besides a Pied Wagtail and reasonable counts of 20 Red-throated Divers and 6 Great Northern Divers seen offshore.

1st - 3rd March

At least 52 Skylarks were noted on the 1st, but there was little else of note on that day. The dark immature Iceland Gull was still around on the 2nd, along with a new adult, and another second-winter bird was seen on the 3rd. After a period of apparent absence, the Gretchen Loch Glaucous Gull returned to its usual spot on the latter date. Also on the 3rd, a Little Auk was in Nouster Bay and 4 Little Grebes had returned to Bridesness Loch. The flock of White-fronted Geese was present throughout.

Iceland Gull