27th - 29th February

Both the 28th and 29th were spent mainly doing work at the observatory, so the usual Glaucous Gull and a Woodcock were the only sightings worth mentioning. Leap day, however, the rarest day on the calendar, turned out to be a calm, dry and mild opportunity for some bird census around the island. A Jack Snipe in the arable field next to the observatory was a bit of a surprise, and the year's first Pied Wagtail flying overhead was also noteworthy. At the north of the island, a Pink-footed Goose had joined the Greylags and a long-staying Iceland Gull was still in residence. Skylarks continued to increase, with 21 seen during the day.

Rock Pipit

26th February

The coordinated Orkney goose count provided a good excuse for a drive around the island to have a gander at all the usual wildfowl spots. Greylag Geese numbered 1,267 birds, with the 67 European White-fronted Geese, 1 Greenland White-fronted Goose and 6 Tundra Bean Geese still among them. Other noteworthy counts of waterbirds included 288 Wigeons, 125 Teal, 14 Goldeneyes, 10 Red-throated Divers and 3 Great Northern Divers. At least 3 Iceland Gulls were seen, including the long-staying dark bird, and the usual Glaucous Gull was still near the observatory. Small numbers of Skylarks, totalling 21 birds, were logged during the day; a Meadow Pipit was near Hooking and the Icelandic-ringed Redwing was retrapped at Holland House.

23rd - 25th February

There was little new to mention from a period that included some very rough weather at times, but most of the long-staying notable birds stayed put through the gales and downpours. The gathering of White-fronted Geese remained settled near the post office, their single Greenlandic delegate still greatly outnumbered by its European counterparts. The lone Knot was seen again on the 24th, and both the Scaup and the Glaucous Gull were still present on the 25th. An adult Iceland Gull was around Stromness point on the 24th, and an immature bird was near the lighthouse the following day.

21st and 22nd February

There was nothing to report on the 21st, but a slightly brighter day on the 22nd revealed some new birds at least. A Short-eared Owl near Ancum Loch was a new species for the year, and 3 Pochards had arrived on Gretchen Loch. The female Scaup made another reappearance, a Glaucous Gull was still near the observatory and, most surprisingly, the unusually dark Iceland Gull last seen on the 6th turned up again near Westness.

Iceland Gull, although still showing some similarities to a Kumlien's Gull.

19th and 20th February

The bird sightings for both days showed little change, with White-fronted Geese (67 seen on the 19th, 61 on the 20th), Iceland Gulls (1 each day) and Glaucous Gulls (the usual bird both days, plus a new one on the 20th) providing the main interest. A Woodcock was seen on the 19th and a Knot on the 20th was a new species for the year.

Glaucous Gull. Like a fascist with a speech impediment, we've been having a lot of white-wing views recently.

17th and 18th February

The usual Glaucous Gull near the observatory and an Iceland Gull flying over Nouster Bay were the highlights of the 17th. A Woodpigeon took first prize in the migrant-of-the-day stakes on the 18th, while the flock of White-fronted Geese reached a new high of 68 birds, including the single flavirostris bird.

15th and 16th February

Sightings on 15th included a new adult Iceland Gull on Gretchen in the afternoon along with the 2 2nd winter Glaucous Gulls also still there (one of which was trapped and ringed). At least 3 different Hen Harriers were also seen and there were 5 Linnets and 13 Snow Buntings near the Observatory. On 16th a wander to the north end of the island found a 2nd winter Iceland Gull and a new 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Bewan with a 2nd winter still in the south. A Whooper Swan was regrettably found dead so there are now 4 on Garso Loch and a Little Grebe near Vincoin was unusual as it tried to feed on a flooded field! 35 Twite appeared at the Observatory late in the day and are hopefully a sign of things to come if the forecast snow arrives in a few days time?!

One of the lingering Glaucous Gulls was trapped and ringed on 15th at the Seal carcass near Gretchen.