The winds have gone Easterly but the birds are yet to arrive! Despite this the 1st was a very busy day in the guest house and in the field. 17 Red-throated and 3 Great Nothern Diver hid from the prevailing winds in various locations and duck numbers built again, with 151 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 319 Teal, 72 Mallard, 28 Shoveler, 35 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pintail and our first Long-tailed Duck of the autumn was present on Brides. The Slavonian Grebe was still present this time viewable off the pier.
Snipe numbers peaked at an impressive 475 followed up by 5 Jack Snipe. Other wader numbers included 6 Grey Plovers on the 2nd, 4 Curlew Sandpipers present on both days, 15 Purple Sandpipers, 24 Bar-tailed Godwits and the lingering Grey Phalarope was still present. Passerine numbers over the two days peaked as follows, 1 House Martin at Holland, 5 Blackcap, 4 Whinchat on the 1st, singles of Robin, Dunnock and Tree Pipit, 33 Redwing, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 7 Goldcrest on the 2nd, 3 Brambling, our first Greenfinches of the year with 3 being seen in various locations, 4 Goldfinches, 28 Twite, 57 Lapland Buntings, 19 Snow Buntings, 15 Rock Pipits and a whopping 51 Yellow-browed Warblers.
A Sea-watch on the 2nd provided 44 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Little Auks and 15 Puffin. Last but by no means least for the second year running we were treated to a Humpback Whale that moved up the Firth and up the West Side before dissappearing, it seems they may becoming a more regular site in our waters, it was accompained by 8 Risso's off Linklet bay.
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| Teal - Bryony Baker |
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| Grey Plover - George Gay |
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