26th October

A change in the wind as it became a strong, very cold northerly which cut right through you bringing frequent and nasty hail / rain showers through the day but it was bright and sunny in between; some attention was paid to the sea in response to the change in wind direction and we were rewarded with the first Little Auk of the autumn along with a Black-throated Diver, a Blue Fulmar and 2 Puffins.

                It was hard work on the land as migrants included 2 Hen Harriers, 3 Kestrels, the Yellow Wagtail still at Trolla, 12 Rock Pipits, 31 Meadow Pipits, the Whinchat by South Gravity still, 93 Redwing, a flock of 9 Jackdaws south (only the second record this autumn), 12 Chaffinches, 26 Bramblings, 14 Twite, 2 Common Redpolls at Holland and a single Snow Bunting.

                Other birds of note comprised a lost looking juvenile Whooper Swan, 470 Greylag Geese, 214 Wigeon, 123 Teal, the Green-winged Teal still, 5 Pintail, 538 Golden Plover, 70 Lapwing, 86 Redshank, 62 Curlew and 3 Black-headed Gulls.

Common Redpoll

Green-winged Teal