25th - 28th October

It seems arbitrary to mention the birds we had in the previous few days based on the morning we had today, but in true build up blog style...

The 25th was a bit of a wash out with only Charles choosing to venture out in the howling northerlies (and we're still questioning why he did). He produced just one Goldfinch, one Red Kite and one Black Redstart.

On 26th two Grey Wagtails were present in Gairsna Geo and one was at the Post Office, the Red Kite remained, this time at Holland, and two female Bullfinch were present in Holland. Both ended up trapped and ringed by the end of the day. A first-calendar-year Glaucous Gull flew south past Hooking, and the two Firecrest were still in Ancum. The first Little Auk of the year passed the sea watch hide.

The 27th was a little disappointing, but not surprisingly so given the northerlies. A Little Auk flew west passed Tor Ness, a Goldfinch was at the surgery, a Grey Wagtail was at Holm, a Long-eared Owl was at the Post Office, and a Chaffinch and both Firecrest were still at Ancum Willows. The first Waxwing of the year flew over the Kirbest Ditch.

And so on to the big day... 

Whilst I was sleeping soundly in my bed, big things were happening at Holland Garden. A phone call from Charles had suspicions raised, but given Rob had promised me he would call with any mega news, surely this was just a Ring Ouzel?! I answered the phone to a lot of profanities than can't be relayed here, mainly lots of F-ing and Jeff-ing before "MALE SIBE RUBYTHROAT" came down the phone line. By this point, me, George and Stella the dog were very much awake and I was irrationally shouting back down the phone for Rob to "not do anything!". We all rocked up at Holland to totally mind-blowing views of a male Siberian Rubythroat in the hand. The bird was released back in the garden but wasn't seen again during the day or at roost. Birding for common migrants felt pretty pointless given the morning we had had, so I won't mention the Lesser Whitethroat at Senness, the Robin at Lochend, the Black Redstarts at Hooking and Bewan, the Peregrine at Westness, the Brambling at Bewan, the Grey Plover at Tor Ness, the Long-eared Owl at Upper Linnay or the two Jackdaw at Brides....

Have some Sibe Rubythroat pics instead

Siberian Rubythroat - Maddy Hine

Siberian Rubythroat - Maddy Hine