29th October

The wind stayed in the SE but had picked up into a vicious force 7 with some nasty hail showers sweeping across the island especially in the morning and late afternoon; there was a sprinkling of new birds but it was hardly busy (maybe even a tad disappointing considering the promising conditions) with the main feature and talking point being at least 11 Common Redpolls, most of which were very distinctive, very pale individuals and one was seen well enough by one observer to confidently claim a white snowball of a HORNEMANN’S ARCTIC REDPOLL along a random wall near Brides Loch.

                Other migrant totals across the island included 2 Hen Harriers, a Kestrel, 4 Merlin, 16 Woodcock, a Woodpigeon, 33 Skylark, 20 Rock Pipits, 22 Meadow Pipits, a Pied Wagtail, 3 Robins, 76 Blackbirds. 12 Fieldfares, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrests, 15 Chaffinches, 20 Brambling, 33 Twite and 29 Snow Buntings.

                Also of note were 5 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great-northern Divers, 5 Herons, 2 Whooper Swans, 331 Wigeon, the Green-winged Teal, 15 Tufted Duck, a drake Scaup briefly on Brides Loch (only the second record of the year), a Grey Plover and 3 Jack Snipe.

Common Redpolls

Goldcrests