6th - 10th October

 A very mixed bag in terms of what the weather offered, however the easterlies promised didn't exactly deliver the birds we had hoped for, the past few days have had a very wintry feel to them.

The 6th kicked off with an adult Glaucous Gull around Bewan, the Booted Warbler had re-located to Senness. Yellow-browed Warblers were present at Lochend and Barrenha', the Barred Warbler remained around the obs traps. 

The 7th saw the Brent Geese remain around the south end of the island, a Little Bunting was seen at Kirbest before being flushed by a car, the Booted Warbler had moved again and was now behind Garso 1. The long-staying Long-billed Dowitcher was once again around Vincoin. Five Yellow-browed Warblers were present throughout the day, however the bird of the day. a Red-flanked Bluetail was found at Senness in the afternoon. The first Ring Ouzels of the autumn appeared later in the day. 

The 8th saw the wind re-orientate to a more northerly and that was reflected as the first autumnal Woodcock was at Holland, a Little Stint on West Beach was a late surprise, the Little Bunting remained around Kirbest, a Rosefinch was found just after lunch at Purtabreck and a Yellow Wagtail was seen over Dennishead. 

The 9th was, in no uncertain terms, vile. Freezing northerlies and showers made birding an unpleasant experience however, a Yellow-browed Warblers were clinging on for dear life at Tor Ness and the school, while Lapland and Little Bunting were around Kirbest. The Yellow Wagtail was around Nouster and a sea-watch produced the first Little Auk of the autumn a long with 19 Sooty Shearwaters. The Black-throated Diver was present throughout the week and a Woodpigeon was on the track. 

The 10th was equally horrid with the "real feel" temperature sitting at 2.5c in the wind. The Booted Warbler and Whinchat were around Garso, the Yellow Wagtail remained around Brides and the Long-billed Dowitcher was once again at Trolla. A Rosefinch at Holland rounded the day off while most of us have retreated back to the warmth of the obs. 

The weather for the next week looks fairly uninspiring but no doubt we'll head out and try and turn something up. 

                                   (Trademark overexposed) Red-flanked Bluetail - Charles Gunn

                                                        Red-flanked Bluetail - Zak Spaull

                                                               Sooty Shearwater - GG 

                                                              Yellow-browed Warbler - GG