2nd September

The main feature of the day which began with mist and heavy rain, forcing census back to the afternoon was a very large movement of Meadow Pipits. The first indications of such a widespread arrival were in the early hours when 30 or so were found attracted to the lighthouse, which were roosted overnight before being ringed and released the next morning. During the delayed census the Island record count (which had stood at 924) was smashed with 1,420 counted-the vast majority of these moving through the fields and passing south out to sea over the south-eastern corner of the Island. The actual total would have been considerably higher (and quite likely double the recorded amount) as only a third of the Island was systematically covered, and we know there were plenty at the north end. Also today, what was presumably the same Citrine Wagtail was at Bridesness again and the Rosefinch continues to linger in the crop at Kirbest, while the only 'new' passerines were a single Robin and Lapland Bunting. There were 12 Ruffs in the fields near Holland House, 6 Black-tailed Godwits passed through and a Green Sandpiper on the scrape at Kirbest.