17th-21st October
It's been a wet and windy few days here, with gale force winds being a constant presence, while driving rain has had most of us sheltering behind dykes at times. There have also been some calm and clear spells and a mega or two to boot!
The 17th was probably the best day in terms of migrant birds arriving and some remaining from previous days for some good totals, 28 Woodcock were dotted around the island along with six Black Redstart, the first Mistle Thrush of the autumn was at West Beach, five Yellow-browed Warbler, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, a Lesser Whitethroat and Short-eared Owl were the 'best of the rest'. The American Robin was still present behind Parkhouse, a late Tree Pipit was seen and heard over the school, the Red-breasted Flycatcher remained on the west side and a Bluethroat was feeding along the dyke at Sand Geo.
The 18th saw the Long-billed Dowitcher remain around Trolla, the Hawfinch from previous days re-appeared at Holland and the Booted Warbler was at Lochend once again. The American Robin had moved to Lenswick but was now battling ever higher winds, our first Richard's Pipit of the year was seen as it flew up the links calling and the bird of the day fell to a Firecrest at Northness, another very good addition to the ever growing year list.
The 19th looked like being a repeat of the previous day, although a Lapland Bunting was around the obs, however everything changed at 17:00. Reports of an 'odd looking ticking Bunting' around the obs had been floating around the staff throughout the day having been seen or heard or both by Jack, Maddy and Zak as the day progressed. A late push of T4 would provide the answers as George, Maddy and Jack met having had a last look for the mystery bird and the bush around the trap began ticking! The bird was scrambled into the trap and quickly taken to the ringing hut, with the literature in hand, much debate, an emargination on P6, a plain rump and the tail pattern there was a buzz around ringing hut as we'd just caught Britain's 11th Black-faced Bunting and of course wild celebrations followed, as they should!
The day after the night before with slightly fuzzy heads we awoke to 60mph gales and torrential rain, there were breaks but by and large the day was un-birdable. The Bunting was seen very very briefly, the Hawfinch was also around the obs and the Firecrest was still clinging on at Northness. The new arrivals for the day were two Goldfinch at Holland and a White-fronted Goose near Kirbest.
The 21st was another wet and windy misery, however the Black-faced Bunting had now seemingly settled in a cattle pen near the pier, but was no less skittish! The Long-billed Dowitcher made another re-appearance at Trolla. The Firecrest also remained, Black Redstarts were present at Hooking and the Surgery.
The week ahead looks fairly rough with just Friday and Saturday looking pleasant, but with the year list sat on 221, just four behind last years total, we won't complain!
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