20th September

Another day of similar, non-descript weather with a little bit of change. There was some visible movement of diurnal migrants in a southerly direction early on but otherwise it was long-stayers which were the most appreciated. The ringed Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Holland, the Wryneck was seen at the Observatory again and a juvenile Marsh Harrier returned to the island once more. A Common Rosefinch briefly with the House Sparrows at Brigg was definitely a  new bird, and there was likely a second also there while the Little Stint flock at the north end increased to 3 birds. Counts of more routine fare came to 11 Red-throated Divers, 5 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk, the first Jack Snipe of the autumn, 2 Sand Martins, 63 Swallows, 199 Meadow Pipits, 11 Rock Pipits, a Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroats (the most notable of the new warblers), a Tree Sparrow and 260 Snow Buntings.

 Snow Bunting flock (photo George Gay)

Spotted Flycatcher (photo George Gay)