2nd November

Things brightened after a miserable wet morning and a few birds were found to have come in with the rain. The day's total of at least 26 Waxwings was a new record count for the observatory, most of them continuing south without stopping for long. A Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Chaffinches, 3 Bramblings, a Siskin and 30 Fieldfares were mostly new migrants and both Mealy Redpolls were still at Holland House. A Sparrowhawk, 4 Hen Harriers, 2 Merlins and a Woodcock were also seen.

An unexpected addition to the ringing data sheets was a young Hen Harrier trapped at Westness and found to be already wearing a British ring. The bird was in quite a weak condition - weak enough to be caught by hand, anyway - but had a full crop of food and was able to fly on release.