2nd October

A challenging day in the field with a blustery westerly wind and frequent showers making it difficult to find new birds. It came as something of a surprise when Pink-footed Geese began to struggle south over the island again with 912 doing so in total. Other new birds were at a premium with just a Goldfinch at Nether Linnay and 2 Bramblings standing out but the Northern Harrier continued to entertain as it toured the island. Many of the recent scarcities had either moved on or were keeping a low-profile in the wind with just 4 Whooper Swans, 2 Jack Snipe, 5 Black-headed Gulls, the Collared Dove and House Martin, 2 Redwings, 2 Lapland Buntings and 397 Snow Buntings of note.

Lapland Bunting (photo George Gay) 

Goldfinch (photo Mark Warren)