7th September

Another good day in the field but this time some better weather. The Citrine Wagtail had re-located to the Hooking area where it commuted between the Loch and the beach while the days other highlights comprised 2 Barred Warblers (Observatory and Howar), 2 Rosefinches (Holland and Sangar), a Wood Warbler (Howar) and Wood Sandpiper (Cauldhame flash). The sea also drew plenty of attention with 75 Sooty Shearwaters, a single Manx Shearwater, 28 Great Skuas, 90 Kittiwakes and 347 Auk sp. passing in 6 hours. 33 Ruffs and 71 Black-tailed Godwits were counted and new passerines included the first 2 Robins of the autumn, 4 Sedge Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 5 Willow Warblers (some lingering) and there were now 3 Snow Buntings at Bridesness.

 Barred Warbler (photo Gavin Woodbridge)

Merlin (photo George Gay)

 

Perhaps one of the most interesting birds seen today was this potential Arctic (tundrius/calidus) Peregrine. The bird certainly looked interesting and reminiscent of the Sep 2012 individual on a fly-by at Holland gardens this evening while photos taken of a Peregrine seen earlier were clearly this bird and have also proved educational. Hopefully we'll secure better views and images tomorrow.

Interesting Peregrine (photos George Gay)