24th September

A long day in the field resulted in a good list of species and many birds dropping in during the afternoon. A long-awaited Buff-breasted Sandpiper was one such latecomer, flying in to land on the west coast after midday. Also new for the year, and the surprise of the day, was the first Great Spotted Woodpecker since 2003 flying south down the west coast. The Citrine Wagtail and an American Golden Plover were still around and Yellow-browed Warblers reached at least 11.

The Yellow-broweds were the most numerous warblers once again, with 9 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Garden Warbler and 5 Goldcrests also recorded. Other small migrants included a Yellow Wagtail (probably a Grey-headed thunbergi bird), 2 Tree Pipits, 1 Black Redstart, 5 Common Redstarts, 1 Whinchat, 2 Robins, 1 Dunnock, 4 Ring Ouzels, 20 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 14 Lapland Buntings and the first Brambling of the autumn. A couple of Hen Harriers, 3 Merlins and a Kestrel were the only raptors.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper