14th October

Similar conditions again with a strong S/SW wind and occasional spells of rain therefore it was no surprise that most of the day’s highlights consisted of long-staying birds with the Dusky Warbler seen again in Holland along with a Siberian Chiffchaff, the Short-toed Lark still, the Buff-breasted Sandpiper again on The Links, the Barred Warbler still in Haskie Thistles and the Arctic Peregrine still bombing around the north end.

                Other passerines were thin on the ground with 4 Swallows, a Robin, 23 Wheatears, 4 Song Thrushes, 150 Redwings, a Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, a Chaffinch, 2 Bramblings, 2 Siskins, a Common Redpoll and a Lapland Bunting.   There were some good wildfowl highlights with a big influx of at least 76 Whooper Swans and 131 Pink-footed Geese along with the Green-winged Teal and a Pintail on Gretchen, 4 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser.

                Birds offshore included a Black-throated Diver, 3 Great-northern Divers, 2 Great Skuas, 134 Kittiwakes and 573 Auk sp. passing the seawatching hide while notable wader counts comprised 2 Grey Plovers, 40 Dunlin, 14 Ruff and a Jack Snipe.

Great Skua

Kittiwake

Photos Simon Davies