29th October

The surprising highlight of the day was a juvenile Baird's Sandpiper with the Dunlins and Ringed Plovers on the golf course. This record, slightly later in the year than might be expected, is only the second for Orkney; the only previous bird was also on North Ronaldsay in early October 1993.

Besides the sandpiper, there was relatively little change in the number of birds present. The Dusky Warbler was still present, while counts of other small migrants came to 17 Robins, 4 Black Redstarts, 3 Wheatears, 777 Fieldfares, 254 Redwings, 159 Blackbirds, 26 Song Thrushes, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests and a Yellowhammer. A variety of finches included 29 Bramblings, 2 Greenfinches, a Goldfinch and 3 Common Redpolls. A Long-eared Owl and 4 Woodcocks were the pick of the non-passerines.

Dusky Warbler