Birds to See in Orkney Islands in September
139 bird species on our list for Orkney Islands are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are Common Starling, European Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Redshank and Curlew. New this month: Redwing, Snow Bunting, Northern Pintail and Whooper Swan and 37 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
At their peak
From Orkney Islands’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 139 birds in September
139 birds
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.53% in Sep
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.47% in Sep
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 2.30% in Sep
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 2.25% in Sep
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 2.21% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaSummer visitorCommon31–34 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 2.14% in Sep
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaSummer visitorCommon17–18 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 2.11% in Sep
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 2.10% in Sep
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Sep
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 2.02% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.96% in Sep
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 1.94% in Sep
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.92% in Sep
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Sep
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.87% in Sep
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 1.83% in Sep
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in Sep
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorCommon45–50 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 1.66% in Sep
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresResidentCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 1.64% in Sep
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in Sep
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.58% in Sep
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusSummer visitorCommon14–17 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 1.51% in Sep
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.51% in Sep
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.49% in Sep
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Sep
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentCommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Sep
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusPassage migrantCommon41–52 cmRegularly Aug–Dec · 1.39% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Sep
BlackbirdTurdus merulaSummer visitorCommon24–25 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 1.36% in Sep
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesSummer visitorCommon9–10 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 1.33% in Sep
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaSummer visitorCommon26–29 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 1.33% in Sep
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 1.28% in Sep
Grey HeronArdea cinereaWinter visitorCommon90–98 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 1.25% in Sep
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 1.18% in Sep
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 1.18% in Sep
Eurasian TealAnas creccaSummer visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 1.15% in Sep
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaSummer visitorCommon50–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.10% in Sep
DunlinCalidris alpinaSummer visitorCommon16–22 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 1.09% in Sep
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Sep
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 1.06% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 1.05% in Sep
RazorbillAlca tordaSummer visitorCommon38–43 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 1.04% in Sep
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.94% in Sep
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.80% in Sep
MoorhenGallinula chloropusSummer visitorCommon30–38 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.80% in Sep
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataSummer visitorCommon53–69 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.77% in Sep
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Sep
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorCommon40–44 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.70% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusPassage migrantCommon24–33 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.68% in Sep
Red KnotCalidris canutusSummer visitorCommon23–26 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.68% in Sep
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Sep
European RobinErithacus rubeculaWinter visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.65% in Sep
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.64% in Sep
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantCommon40–51 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.58% in Sep
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantCommon20–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.54% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.52% in Sep
JackdawColoeus monedulaSummer visitorCommon34–39 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.50% in Sep
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusSummer visitorCommon40–42 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.50% in Sep
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusPassage migrantCommon60–75 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.50% in Sep
RookCorvus frugilegusSummer visitorCommon45–47 cmRegularly Feb–Nov · 0.49% in Sep
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaPassage migrantCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.48% in Sep
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusSummer visitorCommon50–90 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.46% in Sep
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorCommon33–39 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.45% in Sep
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Sep
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaPassage migrantCommon20–22 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.42% in Sep
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusPassage migrantUncommon30–38 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.41% in Sep
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosPassage migrantCommon20–23 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.39% in Sep
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.39% in Sep
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.39% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaPassage migrantUncommon27–30 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.38% in Sep
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.38% in Sep
CootFulica atraSummer visitorCommon36–42 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.38% in Sep
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsPassage migrantCommon14–16 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.36% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentCommon34–58 cmRegularly Aug–Nov · 0.36% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.36% in Sep
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaPassage migrantCommon10–12 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.34% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoSummer visitorCommon30–32 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.32% in Sep
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusSummer visitorCommon28–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.32% in Sep
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusPassage migrantUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.31% in Sep
KestrelFalco tinnunculusSummer visitorUncommon32–39 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.30% in Sep
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatusPassage migrantUncommon10–11 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.30% in Sep
Common LoonGavia immerResidentCommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Sep
GoldcrestRegulus regulusPassage migrantCommon9–10 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.30% in Sep
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisPassage migrantCommon15–18 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.30% in Sep
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.29% in Sep
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.26% in Sep
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorCommon140–165 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.25% in Sep
GadwallMareca streperaPassage migrantCommon46–56 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.25% in Sep
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneSummer visitorCommon45–47 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Sep
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.23% in Sep
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.22% in Sep
RedwingTurdus iliacusPassage migrantCommon20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.21% in Sep
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusSummer visitorCommon34–43 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.21% in Sep
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusSummer visitorCommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.21% in Sep
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaPassage migrantCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.19% in Sep
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.19% in Sep
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.19% in Sep
Northern PintailAnas acutaPassage migrantCommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.19% in Sep
Garden WarblerSylvia borinPassage migrantUncommon14–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.18% in Sep
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.18% in Sep
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.17% in Sep
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorCommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Sep
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Jun–Sep · 0.15% in Sep
BramblingFringilla montifringillaPassage migrantCommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.13% in Sep
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Sep · 0.13% in Sep
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Sep
GreenfinchChloris chlorisSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.12% in Sep
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.12% in Sep
DunnockPrunella modularisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisPassage migrantUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in Sep
WhitethroatCurruca communisPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Sep
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusPassage migrantCommon17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.09% in Sep
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in Sep
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.09% in Sep
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Sep · 0.09% in Sep
BuzzardButeo buteoSummer visitorCommon51–57 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.08% in Sep
FieldfareTurdus pilarisPassage migrantCommon22–27 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Sep
GreenshankTringa nebulariaPassage migrantUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.08% in Sep
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.07% in Sep
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantUncommon46–51 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.07% in Sep
Greater ScaupAythya marilaPassage migrantUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.07% in Sep
Brent GooseBranta berniclaPassage migrantUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep · 0.06% in Sep
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusPassage migrantUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.06% in Sep
Common SwiftApus apusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Jul–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
European Storm-petrelHydrobates pelagicusPassage migrantUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Jun–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantRare25–30 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Sep · 0.04% in Sep
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaResidentCommon58–77 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentUncommon17–20 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Water RailRallus aquaticusSummer visitorUncommon23–28 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Sep
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
PochardAythya ferinaResidentUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusPassage migrantUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentUncommon58–68 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.03% in Sep
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made