17th October

One or two new migrants included a late whinchat at Scotsha, a stonechat at Howar, and a sparrowhawk trapped at Holland. The day livened up when a little egret was spotted flying over Hooking Loch heading south. This is a long overdue first for the island and was unfortunately not seen again despite much effort. In search of the egret another HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL was discovered at Kirbest, 5 common redpoll of sorts were also seen and the bluethroat remains. 2 new blackcaps and a lesser whitethroat were trapped at Holland, 51 twite were in the Obs' bird crop and long-tailed ducks in Linklet bay had risen to 24.

Common Redpoll (rostrata)