11th-16th October

A slow mid month has delayed a blog update, but with some exciting birds having since arrived and it being a howling northerly today, we will now get you all up to date!

On 11th, all the action was mainly at the south end of the island, with six Chaffinch, three Snow Bunting, and 17 Redwing around the obs. Gretchen held 20 Whooper Swans, 27 Black-tailed Godwits, and the Little Stint remained. In Holland, a Chiffchaff, two Goldcrest, a Robin and two Blackcap were present. Away from the south of the island, a late Curlew Sandpiper was on the Links, 26 Black-tailed Godwit were by the school, and a Pink-footed Goose flew south over Milldam.

Goose numbers on 12th consisted of the five Taiga Bean Geese still at Howar, and eleven Pink-footed Geese at the Broch. Blackcaps were at Cursitter and Westness. A big snipe day saw over 1000 logged on census, with three Jack Snipe being found amongst these. Elsewhere, an acredula Willow Warbler was at Brigg, a Grey Wagtail was at Stennabreck, two Chaffinch were at Rimmers, a Curlew Sandpiper was at Bewan, and a Redstart and a Whinchat were at North Gravity. A group of 23 Snow Bunting were at Brides and five were at the Links.

On 13th the five Taiga Bean Geese remained, accompanied by one Pink-footed Goose. A Redstart and Goldcrest were at North Gravity, two Fieldfare were at Ancum Willows, and a Grey Wagtail and Kestrel were at the Old Mill.

The 14th saw Grey Phalarope added to the year list with one on the sea off West Beach feeding with Common Gulls. The other highlight of the day was a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Dennishill garden. The number of common migrants also increased, with one Redstart, one Lesser Whitethroat, one Garden Warbler, 23 Blackcap, four Chiffchaff, three Goldcrest, 14 Chaffinch, two Greenfinch, three Redpoll, one Yellowhammer, two Grey Wagtail and 34 Snow Bunting also being logged.

Excitement built on 15th when a group of five to six Orca were found off Senness, coming into the bay at Westness before heading round the point at Trinley and moving towards Lenswick. Avian highlights included a Goldfinch at the obs, a Grey Wagtail and Grey Plover at Haskie, a Willow Warbler at Ancum, two Grey Plover in the Nether Linnay stubble, two Grey Wagtail at the pier and one at Westness, a Yellowhammer and Redstart between the Gravities, two Jack Snipe at the Lighthouse, a Little Gull at Trolla, and a total of 15 Barnacle Goose across the island.

A sea watch on 16th produced three Pomarine Skua go north together past the sea watch hide, along with six Sooty Shearwater, 52 Kittiwake and a sea watching mega in the form of Rook. Elsewhere, one Greenfinch remained at Holland, two Redpoll were at Kirbest Mire, a Black-throated Diver was off Howar and the Yellowhammer remained at South Gravity. A minimum of three Orca were seen from the sea watch hide in the afternoon.

Orca - Maddy Hine