10th October

A very brisk SW wind with a handful of nasty showers (but some long periods of bright sunshine) made things tricky in the field but there was again, a great selection of birds across the island; the highlight was a surprise DUSKY WARBLER, found in front of one of our Heligoland traps and easily caught mid-afternoon while other lingering scarcities included the Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll roaming around the middle of the island, the Buff-breasted Sandpiper now on The Links and the Barred Warbler still in Haskie Thistles.

                A little influx of at least 12 Jack Snipe was the other main feature of the day along with migrants such as a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, a Peregrine, a Dunnock, 7 Robins, 2 Redstarts, a Whinchat, 12 Song Thrushes, 23 Redwing, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 9 Chaffinches, 2 Bramblings, 2 Goldfinches which came into roost at Holland, 2 Siskins, 2 Lapland Buntings and 2 Snow Buntings.

                Along the sheltered side of the island birds on the sea included 13 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great-northern Divers, 2 drake Long-tailed Ducks and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers while the Whooper Swan family showed no more signs of wanting to leave.

Dusky Warbler,   photo Simon Davies

Sparrowhawk,   photo Simon Davies

Jack Snipe,   photo Bryony Baker