23rd October

A dreadful day after a worse night with a blazing WNW wind and almost constant driving rain filled squalls whipping across the island; the magic Northern Isles date of the 23^rd did produce a quality, if tricky bird with an apparent EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL briefly hopping up on a wall in front of one lucky observer before promptly disappearing again and then two hours later reappearing around the edge of Brides Loch allowing someone else to see it before disappearing again in the atrocious conditions.

                Other birds seen through the day included the Great Grey Shrike at Ancum again, a selection of wildfowl comprising 8 Whooper Swans, 9 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese and an increase to 16 Tufted Ducks, 4 Herons, 2 Hen Harriers, a Kestrel, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Wheatears, 150+ Redwings, 10 Chaffinches, 15 Brambling and 9 Snow Buntings.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail                            George Gay