10th July 2017

[BrianR]

Loch Paible, North Uist: apart from Oystercatcher and Redshank there were few other waders present this morning. Of Redshank a flock of at least 100 suddenly arrived from the NE to be followed shortly afterwards by a group of some 50. Presumably these were fairly local breeding birds; ringing studies have shown there is a rapid exodus at the end of the breeding season to areas as far south as France. These are then replaced by birds from Iceland with most departing from here in August (it is thought likely that all birds wintering in the Uists are Icelandic birds).

 

[Ardmaraig]

Loch Paible, North Uist: apart from Oystercatcher and Redshank there were few other waders present this morning. Of Redshank a flock of at least 100 suddenly arrived from the NE to be followed shortly afterwards by a group of some 50. Presumably these were fairly local breeding birds; ringing studies have shown there is a rapid exodus at the end of the breeding season to areas as far south as France. These are then replaced by birds from Iceland with most departing from here in August (it is thought likely that all birds wintering in the Uists are Icelandic birds).

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Yeah, and at least another 70 arrived from the north at Aird an Runair after I saw you! I seen to remember Digger Jackson reckoned that the females left when the chicks were about half-grown - so we probably saw a whole lot of birds today