12th-16th October
A mixed few days with some days being a complete write-off due to the weather, whilst others have allowed some nice days' birding along with one mega seawatch!
12th highlights: 122 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 10 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Dunnock, 15 Robin, Whinchat, Ring Ouzel, 530 Redwing, 29 Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Barred Warbler, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 26 Goldcrest, 42 Brambling, 3 Goldfinch, 5 Redpoll, 155 Snow Bunting, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Arctic Tern
13th highlights: 46 Whooper Swan, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, 179 Redwing, 6 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 7 Goldcrest, 27 Brambling, 1 Lapland Bunting, Arctic Tern.
14th was more or less unbirdable due to strong northwesterly winds and heavy rain showers. A new Ring Ouzel was found along with small numbers of thrushes. 15th, however, produced one of the highlights of the year! The morning saw us join in with the influx of Waxwings into northern Scotland, with 7 recorded (3 trapped and ringed around the Obs, plus singles at Holland, Verracott, Sangar and Scottigar). Other census counts included 176 Redwing, 13 Fieldfare, 25 Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldfinch and 65 Black-tailed Godwit. An afternoon seawatch saw began with a pair of Grey Phalarope (first of the year), along with a Little Gull and a reasonable passage of Sooty Shearwater with 57 recorded. Things then took a turn to the more unexpected as a dark seaduck was picked up flying head-on in towards the hide. After considering various Scoter species, something wasn't quite adding up, and the bird then banked revealing the distinctive head pattern and structure of a female/1cy HARLEQUIN DUCK!!! The bird then passed the hide close inshore, allowing good views to be obtained before it headed towards the foghorn and out of sight. What a fantastic experience for those lucky enough to be in the hide!
16th was back to more routine fare. Morning and evening seawatches failed to produce a repeat viewing of the Harlequin Duck, with 2 Common Scoter, 49 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Pomarine Skua, 6 Arctic Skua, a Bonxie, 518 Kittiwake, 182 Gannet and 284 Auk sp. Other sightings included 4 Waxwing, 2 Little Auk and a Barred Warbler.
Waxwing - GG
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