5th November

A lovely, still day with sunny spells which, although being pretty cold meant it was a pleasure to be out in the field; the sea provided most of the interest with a seawatch from the north end in the morning producing 17 Sooty Shearwaters, a single Manx Shearwater, three Blue Fulmars in amongst 1,400 white ones, a Bonxie, 240 Kittiwakes and 11 Little Auks.   With calm seas for once birds counted on the sea included 9 Great-northern and 7 Red-throated Divers, 30 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Scaup.   The land was quieter for new arrivals with a flock of 21 Waxwings in off the sea by the lighthouse the highlight; other birds of note included the Little Bunting still in Kirbest crop, 90 Fieldfares, 320 Redwings, 4 Mealy Redpolls, a single Blackcap remaining, two Lapland Buntings and 140 Snow Buntings.   Also of note were 4 Whooper Swans, the single White-fronted and Canada Geese and a total of 7 Herons.

 

Long-tailed Duck