31st May

The most interesting birds were all long-stayers, with the Scaup, a Garganey, a Quail and a Short-eared Owl all seen during the day. A Common Sandpiper was in Nouster Bay, 5 Siskins were dotted round the island, and other small migrants included 3 Collared Doves, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Spotted Flycatchers.

Several Collared Doves have been ringed in Holland House garden this year, including this female trapped this morning.

30th May

New birds were thin on the ground during the morning census counts: a Grey Plover, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Greenfinch, a Siskin and a Crossbill were the only notable arrivals. The Scaup, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Icterine Warbler and Wood Warbler were all still present. A northbound movement of 240 Turnstones was noted in the afternoon, while other waders on the island included 8 Whimbrels and 2 Black-tailed Godwits. A late night cycle around the island listening out for Corncrakes and Quails revealed none of the former, 1 of the latter and a bonus Short-eared Owl.

29th May

Two Quails singing near Gravity and a Wood Sandpiper on Gretchen Loch were the most interesting new birds, and a good selection of other scarce species was seen. Notable long-stayers included an Icterine Warbler, the Rosefinch, the Scaup, the Turtle Dove the Wood Warbler and the Snow Goose type thing.

A Pied Flycatcher, 3 Common Whitethroats and a Collared Dove were probably new arrivals, while a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, and a Cuckoo remained from earlier days. A Barnacle Goose flew over the island, 16 Pink-footed Geese were seen and 8 Manx Shearwaters passed by the seawatching hide.

28th May

After a period of several days in which no birds of prey were seen at all, a raptorial trio of Marsh Harrier (the fourth one this year, and a female this time), Peregrine and Sparrowhawk provided the highlights of a fairly quiet day. There was still some quality remaining from earlier days' arrivals: the Turtle Dove was in Holland garden, the Icterine Warbler was still at the observatory, the Scaup was still on Gretchen Loch, two Garganeys were near Bridesness and a Cuckoo was on the west coast. The strange Snow Goose was also still present near Hooking Loch.

Other sightings included the 17 Pink-footed Geese, a Cuckoo, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher.

The Turtle Dove seems to be settled in the sycamores at Holland, where it has been making good use of the new bird table.

27th May

The day's main excitement arrived in the form of a Snow Goose that flew in and landed on Ancum Loch early in the afternoon. We can but speculate as to the bird's origins, but its heavily bleached and abraded primary feathers, possibly the result of a missed moult, do not help the case for it being a wild bird.

The Icterine Warbler remained in the surgery garden, and another was discovered near the observatory and trapped in the evening. The Rosefinch was also still present, and it, or another bird, was seen in several places during the afternoon. A Wood Warbler was at Holland House, and a Corncrake was reported singing near Hooking Loch. Other recent scarcities continued to linger on the island: the Turtle Dove remained at Holland, 2 Garganeys were seen, and the Red-necked Phalarope and Curlew Sandpiper were both still at Trollavatn.

Icterine Warbler

26th May

The first Icterine Warbler of the year was found in the garden at the surgery, and a 1st summer male Common Rosefinch was singing nearby. The Red-necked Phalarope and Curlew Sandpiper reappeared on Trollavatn, the Scaup was still on Gretchen Loch and the Turtle Dove was at Holland House.

A small arrival of migrant landbirds included 2 Tree Pipits, a Common Redstart, a Fieldfare, a Common Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and a Pied Flycatcher. The flock of 17 Pink-footed Geese remained, 6 Manx Shearwaters were seen offshore and notable wader counts included 50 Knots and 360 Ringed Plovers: the latter count is the second highest ever recorded on North Ronaldsay.

Red-necked Phalarope

25th May

The Scaup was still present, a Blackcap was in Holland garden and a Common Redpoll was seen. That's about it.