Thick fog hampered birding for a few hours from dawn but on clearing it left a bright sunny day. Skaw produced a Sand Martin, 2 House Martins, a Swallow and 2 Willow Warblers. The Sedge Warbler was still singing at Haroldswick and there was a male Linnet present. I arrived at Burrafirth just as the fog was lifting and finding a male Red-backed Shrike along the burn felt like a good omen for the rest of the day. On walking around Norwick I heard the Common Crane calling continuously and noticed it had walked up the side of the hill. Shortly afterwards it took flight still calling, circled the once, gained height and headed off north despite the very obvious fog bank clearly visible just a couple of miles offshore. Disappointingly migrants were virtually non-existent with just 3 House Martins and 2 Siskins seen.
Male Red-backed Shrike at Burrafirth
Eider at Burrafirth
Common Crane over Norwick
