North Ronaldsay breaks year-list record

North Ronaldsay has broken its year-list record after a Dusky Warbler became the 222nd species recorded on the Orcadian isle in 2023.

The warbler was one of two individuals found on 25 October and broke the previous island year-list record record of 221, which was set in 2017. The exceptional total this year has been aided by some notable rarities including Harlequin Duck, Amur Stonechat, Lanceolated Warbler and Collared Flycatcher.

The record-breaking Dusky Warbler on North Ronaldsay (George Gay).

Since the Dusky Warbler, year list additions of Oriental Turtle Dove, Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Slavonian Grebe and Red-throated Pipit have bumped the total up to 226. It's likely the number will be extended further, too, with eight weeks of the year remaining and notable ommissions including Greater Scaup.

The previous record total from 2017 included such megas as Siberian Blue Robin and Britain's first Red-winged Blackbird.

Find out more about North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory here.