LOTHIAN Bird News Summary - June 2010

June 2010 Summary -An exceptionally quiet June was prevented by being a completely rarity free month only by a brief BLACK STORK over the A1 (between Haddington & Macmerry) on the morning of the 22nd. What was probably the same bird went high NE over Redcoll (south of Longniddry) that afternoon, but unfortunately there was no further sign and hopes of the bird being relocated are all but gone. This will be only the 3rd Lothian record, the last being in June 1983.

A singing male Western Reed Warbler at Seafield Pond (Dunbar) remaining from May was the highlight for most local birders, this scarce Spring migrant was present until at least the 7th, another was by the toilet block at JMCP (Tyninghame) on the 5th but proved to be much more elusive.

Waders were thin on the ground in comparison with an excellent May, bests were at least one Little Stint at Tyninghame between the 2nd - 10th (possibly a long stayer from May), a brief Wood Sandpiper at Seafield Pond (Dunbar) on the 8th, a Little Ringed Plover again at Musselburgh on the 3rd and 5 Black-tailed Godwits there on the 24th.

Raptors included a Hobby at Skateraw on the 7th, a report of a Red Kite near Haddington on the 3rd and Marsh Harriers at Musselburgh on the 2nd and Fenton Barns on the 28th. At least 3 Mediterranean Gulls were at Musselburgh from the 23rd including 2 on the 25th & 29th, a single Little Gull was at the same site from the 23rd and a Little Tern was at Tyninghame on th e 5th.

Other notable sightings included a singing Quail by Harlaw Reservoir (Pentlands) on the 22nd, a Red-necked Grebe off Ferny Ness on the 3rd & 4th at least, a total of 41 Manx Shearwaters including 22 off Musselburgh on the 6th and 11 off Barns Ness on the 10th, Great Skuas also off Barns Ness on the 10th & 19th and a single Arctic Skua which showed well by the wooden footbridge at Aberlady on the 20th.June

Images -http://www.birdinglothian.co.uk/#/june10-images/4541422683

Kris Gibb, www.birdinglothian.co.uk