30th September

The 3rd first for North Ronaldsay in less than two weeks appeared today in the form of a first winter SPOTTED SANDPIPER in Kirbest Mire. Presumably present since the 28th, as an Actitis sandpiper thought likely to have been this species was briefly seen on Gretchen Loch. Elsewhere the few remaining passerines were a blackcap at the Surgery, willow warbler at Breck, 2 Robin, a goldcrest and a chiffchaff were in Holland and 3 snow bunting and a lapland bunting were seen. 2 grey plover were at Bridesness, 74 knot were at Nether Linnay and an arctic tern was seen form the North end.