12th November

A handful of migrants today, including a very late common redstart at Sandback, black redstart at the Observatory, 2 stonechat, a blackcap, 3 robin and 6 chiffchaff. A lapland bunting was mobile at the north end, notable finches comprised singles of brambling, greenfinch and meally redpoll and thrush numbers had decreased to just 32 blackbirds, 44 fieldfare, 63 redwing and 3 song thrush. A juvenile glaucous gull dropped in briefly on Garso Loch, the canada goose is still at Bridesness and a count of 296 wigeon is the largest for some time.












This interestingly late 1st winter female redstart showed buff fringes to the tertials and secondaries, creating a distinct pale wing panel most evident in the field. With this, the date and long wing length, 1mm within its range, it is tempting to assume this bird is of eastern origin. However, the eastern form samamisicus is currently regarded as indistinguishable from nominate phoenicurus in this plumage. Shame....