Lesser Yellowlegs

A distant, much-cropped shot of a rare American wader north of Finstown. This bird was found yesterday on a RSPB reserve, an area called 'Nutland'. Not much in the way of nuts growing there, so I wonder if it was originally 'Knut's land', ie a farm owned by a Norseman. I and others tried to see it but it had gone, turning up again today. I cycled from Kirkwall and watched the bird feeding for a while, before leaving without disturbing it. I cycle on to the hide at Cottasgarth but it was very quiet there, though I did see a short-eared owl land in heather and disappear into what must be its nest. Then a nice male hen harrier as I cycled back.