Few things to report from July. A Common Grasshopper Warbler sang on the first night of July and a Great Skua entered the isle on the 2nd. The same goes for a Common Ringed Plover on the 4th.

Some unusual summer birds showed up during the month, among others Eurasian Collared Dove, Sand Martin and Red-backed Shrike.

The most unusual, however, was a Eurasian Stonechat on the 7th. Apart from a breeding occurrence some years ago, the species has not been recorded on Utsira in mid-summer before.

Trapping (by tape-luring) of European Storm Petrels at night went into business on the 11th, but results were surprisingly sparse. Most nights delivered only a couple of birds, some nights zero, so three Leach´s Storm Petrels on 27th/28th was a nice surprise.

A few waders appeared mid-month in southerlies and southeasterlies with rain. Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Whimbrel and Spotted Redshank were among the species involved.

Not many days had fresh westerlies, and accordingly few good days were had seawatching at Pedleneset, the northernmost tip of Utsira. Two Manx Shearwaters, 50 Northern Fulmars and 25 Great Skuas passed the headland on the 18th.

A female type Black Redstart at the churchyard on the 21st is probably the same bird that has been with us for a month.

A trip to the bird cliff (and also the spot on Utsira for shorebirds) on the 25th gave 75 Purple Sandpipers, nine Sanderlings, 25 Ruddy Turnstones and two Whimbrels. A Spotted Redshank crossed the island on the 27th. Up to 50 Red Crossbills roam.

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