17th September

At this time of year, when the wind is blowing hard from the east and it rains all day, you can expect to find small migrants taking shelter along the western, leeward, side of North Ronaldsay; and with just such weather conditions setting in, it was no surprise to find the majority of new birds, impluvious and seeking respite from the gales, concentrated along the island's less exposed coast. Small numbers of migrants seemed to be arriving all day, but counts of common species came to at least 16 Blackcaps, 6 Garden Warblers, 14 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Whinchats, 4 Robins, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Tree Pipit and the first 5 Song Thrushes of the autumn. The Citrine Wagtail and 2 Barred Warblers were still around, and 4 Common Rosefinches were seen.

The non-passerine highlights were 2 Short-eared Owls, a Little Stint, a Grey Plover and the Scaup.