29th September

Another similar day with dry conditions and a very strong SE wind blazing across the island so there were still plenty of birds to be seen, concentrated on the sheltered western side; scarcities were again well represented with a Rustic Bunting found hopping around the lighthouse in the morning (and apparently joined by a second bird briefly in the afternoon!), the Blyth’s Reed Warbler re-trapped in Holland early evening, at least 2 Olive-backed Pipits still (Obs and Nether Linney, with another couple of possibles seen), a new Red-breasted Flycatcher at Greenwall, a Common Rosefinch and 3-4 Little Buntings littered around the place.

                The long roll call of other migrants included 2 Woodpigeons, 4 Tree Pipits, a flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtails, a Dunnock, 35 Robins, 29 Redstarts, a Whinchat, a Stonechat (seen briefly so we were unable to get any more details on it), 70 Wheatears, 3 Fieldfares, a big influx of 124 Song Thrushes, 28 Redwings, a Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Garden Warblers, 23 Blackcaps, 6 Yellow-browed Warblers, 31 Chiffchaffs, 11 Willow Warblers, 5 Goldcrest, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 29 Chaffinches, 17 Bramblings, 9 Siskins, 6 Mealy Redpolls, 7 Lapland Buntings and 4 Snow Buntings.

                Our focus was certainly looking for grounded migrants along walls and in sheltered spots but a few other bits were seen including 6 Red-throated Divers and a Great-northern Diver offshore, a single Pintail with a good count of 332 Wigeon, 2 Sparrowhawks and 3 Kestrels floating around and single Little Stint, Jack Snipe and Woodcock in amongst good numbers of lingering Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits and other waders.

Rustic Bunting

Spotted Flycatcher and Blackcap

Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Tree Pipit

Snow Bunting

Pictures Simon Davies