16th September

Early rain, made birding difficult until after midday but it was certainly worth it with a classic September fall of common migrants and scarcities making for another enjoyable and long day in the field. There was no sign of yesterday's Shrike or the Rose-coloured Starling but new highlights were a Short-toed Lark at Greenwall, a Wryneck at Stennabrek, 3 Barred Warblers (Nether Linnay and 2 at Stennabrek), Common Rosefinch, 4 Red-breasted Flycatchers (at least 2 new) and an impressive 13 Yellow-browed Warblers. An Acrocephalus Warbler (probably a Marsh) frustrated in the irises at Kirbest and other passerines included 4 Tree Pipits, 4 Dunnocks, 6 Redstarts, Ring Ouzel, 3 Fieldfares, 37 Song Thrushes, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 8 Garden Warblers, 23 Blackcaps, the Wood Warbler, 33 Willow Warblers, 10 Goldcrests, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Chaffinch, a Brambling and 2 Lapland Buntings. 6 Sooty Shearwaters were seen during an hours sea-watch and the Curlew Sandpiper remains at Trolla Vatn and 2 Common Sandpipers were near Howar.

Red-breasted Flycatcher