17th-23rd October

Highlights on 17th: Grey Phalarope (Ancum), 3 Waxwing, Whinchat, 4 Siberian Chiffchaff, 3 Orca (off Dennishead)

18th saw the return of easterly winds and brought a flurry of migrants to the island. Most notable were Goldcrests with 229 recorded. The rarity highlight was the third Red-flanked Bluetail of the year, which was trapped and ringed at Holland. Also seen were 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, the lingering Grey Phalarope, the first Yellow-browed Warbler for a while, 12 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, 11 Twite, 650 Redwing, 23 Song Thrush, 67 Blackbird, 2 Wheatear, 37 Fieldfare, 13 Robin and 8 Waxwing. 2 Velvet Scoter flew past the Seawatch Hide (first of the year).

Red-flanked Bluetail - TG

19th saw the easterly wind increase in strength with 60+mph gusts recorded. Totals included 190 Blackbird, 429 Redwing, 38 Song Thrush, 63 Fieldfare, Wheatear, 6 Robin, 26 Goldcrest, Short-eared Owl, 3 Woodpigeon and 4 Woodcock. 630 Herring Gulls and 210 Great Black-backed Gulls were logged, the first high counts of the year.

20th was a similar story with the easterly wind remaining strong making it difficult to bird anywhere other than the sheltered west coast. The standout highlight of the day was the arrival of 6 Coal Tits, which were the first island records since 1985! The species has been moving in huge numbers in Scandinavia this autumn with the unusually strong easterlies also contributing to a significant influx into the Northern Isles. Other highlights included a Goosander, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Blackcap, 16 Goldcrest, 88 Blackbird, 83 Fieldfare, 139 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail, 5 Waxwing, 5 Short-eared Owl and 10 Woodpigeon, 8 Robin and 15 Woodcock.

Coal Tit - TG

Conditions on 21st were foul, with heavy rain and continued strong winds, and it was clear that the remaining birds were struggling. One of the Coal Tits from the previous day was found dead, along with several other migrants, which was a rather sobering reminder of the challenges birds face during migration. Census was quickly abandoned in the interest of both birds and staff with the day's species list consequently rather small. Highlights included 3 (live) Coal Tit, Wheatear, 2 Waxwing, 6 Woodpigeon, 17 Woodcock, 8 Jack Snipe and a Goldeneye again on Gretchen.

The gale force easterlies finally gave way on the 22nd with a lovely calm day filling the Obs with optimism for the chance to uncover what had been hiding during the previous days. The result was perhaps not quite the big day we'd hoped for, although overall it was still an enjoyable day's birding. Totals included a Stock Dove (new for the year), 9 Russian White-fronted Geese (first of the autumn), a Grey Phalarope (flew down west coast), a Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 11 Blackcaps and 3 Coal Tits.

Coal Tit - TG

23rd was another calm sunny day. There was a scattering of thrushes and late autumn migrants, although generally smaller numbers than the previous days. The highlight was a Woodlark discovered in the fields around Sangar, loosely associating with a Skylark flock (10th island record and first since the early stages of 2021). A new Waxwing was trapped and ringed at Holland and 2 Greenfinches were at the Obs.

Woodlark - TG