16th October

A real change in the weather with a blazing strong force 8 SW wind and some nasty little showers whizzing through, making things difficult out in the field but there was a constant flow of Redwings and Fieldfares heading into the wind low across the island in small flocks right through the day creating a brilliant spectacle.   Conservative totals in the tricky conditions included 1,280 Redwing, 583 Fieldfare, 266 Song Thrush and 123 Blackbirds along with other migrants such as yesterday’s Long-eared Owl, a Grey Wagtail, 20 Robins, 4 Wheatears, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 29 Chaffinches, 95 Brambling and a single Snow Bunting.

                Other birds included 15 Whooper Swans, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Hen Harriers, single Kestrel and Merlin, 437 Golden Plover and a late Bonxie.

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