Sanderling

Down at the beach that has built up against Churchill Barrier #4 between Burray and South Ronaldsay. A bit breezy and rainy so I sat in a WW2 searchlight emplacement and birdwatched from there. Saw my second wheatear of the spring and my first terns- 3 sandwich terns. Quite a few ringed plover and sanderlings , pied wagtails, rock pipits, single stonechat and red-throated diver. Some Risso's dolphins were in the area eralier but no sign when I looked. Sanderlings don't breed here but stay around until about June before heading north.