4th November

We kept the strong southerly winds but there was more sunshine with long spells of clear skies; Gulls were again obvious with a smart juvenile Kumilen’s Gull the highlight, first at Westness, then on rocks at Lenswick, then in Nouster in the afternoon while other totals included 75 Common Gulls, 177 Herring Gulls and 142 Great Black-backed Gulls.   Other birds of note comprised 6 Herons, a Whooper Swan, the Green-winged Teal still, 12 Pintail and single Grey Plover and Knot with 111 Purple Sandpipers.

                The land was quieter with just 2 Merlin, 60 Blackbirds, 44 Fieldfare, 76 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Chaffinches, a Brambling and 25 Twite to mention.

Kumlien's Gull                                         George Gay