21st - 23rd September


The strong westerly airflow continued on the 21st but it remained largely dry, there were somewhat predictably few new arrivals on the land as birds included a Kestrel, a Sand Martin, 337 Meadow Pipits, 11 Rock Pipits, 24 Wheatears, a Redwing, a Blackcap, 2 Willow Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Siskins and 3 Snow Buntings.    Wader and wildfowl totals comprised 5 Red-throated Divers, 215 Wigeon, 129 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Plovers, 496 Golden Plover, a Ruff, 2 Jack Snipe, 178 Snipe and 5 Black-tailed Godwits.

                Similar again on the 22nd when landbirds included 2 Kestrels, 2 Merlin, 13 Rock Pipits, the Black Redstart, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Willow Warblers, the Common Rosefinch again at Holland, a Lapland Bunting and 2 Snow Buntings.   A little look at the sea in the morning produced 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Whooper Swans and 35 Pink-footed Geese while 8 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff and 4 Herons completed the noteworthy birds.

                Slightly lighter winds and some bright sunshine created a nicer day to be out in the field on the 23rd when birds across the island included a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, 7 Rock Pipits, the Black Redstart, a Redwing, a Blackcap, 3 Willow Warblers, a Brambling, the Common Rosefinch again and a Snow Bunting.   Other bits of note included 5 Red-throated Divers, 6 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper which received some intense scrutiny and at least 10 Risso’s Dolphins moving down the east coast.




Gannets were diving close in to the pier in the rough weather

Comments