7th-8th October

Limited sightings from the 7th, which may have had something to do with two-thirds of the ornithological team vacating to Papa Westray in an unsuccessful twitch for a certain American passerine :-(. Seen by those more sensible were 4 Sooty Shearwaters on a sea-watch, a ring-tailed Hen Harrier and lingering Yellow-browed Warbler at Holland. On 8th there was another impressive Goose passage with a minimum of 1885 Greylag Geese and 130 Pink-footed Geese passing south over the Island during the day. 9 Whooper Swans pitched into Ancum briefly while 14 Red-breasted Mergansers represented a significant increase, and 3 Merlins included a couple of males hunting the Linnet roost at Holland. The late, lingering Wood Sandpiper was surprisingly joined by a second bird near Hooking, and 9 Jack Snipe were flushed at Kirbest. A Whinchat was nearby, while the Yellow-browed Warbler remains at Holland where most of the 14 Blackcaps were also present.