31st August - 2nd September

 A mixed bag in the way of weather, with fine weather eventually turning into a howling southerly gale that although didn't make things unbirdable, it certainly hampered progress! 

The Barred Warbler and three Rosefinches remained in Holland throughout the period often favouring one of the courtyards surrounding the main house. The Common Buzzard also continued to tour the island being seen in most census areas. Two Little Gulls passed the sea-watch hide on an otherwise uneventful sea-watch. The days highlights were a group of 11 Pale-bellied Brent Geese originally on the Links they re-located to the fields behind Lochend where they remained for the duration. The final highlight was probably one of the most unexpected! A Yellow-browed Warbler in the Willows at Ancum is the earliest British Autumnal record, despite this the bird has been uncharacteristically skulky, often only being seen in flight! 

A quieter day followed with the Yellow-browed Warbler still remaining in the Willows and up to 3 Curlew Sandpipers feeding on various lochs. 2 adult and 2 juvenile Common Terns were on Bewan in the afternoon and Garden Warblers were at Holland and Upper Linnay, but all in all a much quieter day. 

By day-break on the 2nd the island was being swept by howling Southerly gales which meant anything that may have arrived will have been keeping low and out of sight! Two Willow Warblers in the Funny Park looked a bit scared of flying more than a few feet in fear of being blown away. Two of the Rosefinches remained at Holland while another seemingly seeked pastures a-new at Phisiligar but didn't stay long. A couple of Grey Plovers were hanging around on Tor Ness and Gretchen. With Westerlies setting in for the next few days we'll keep our fingers crossed for a Trans-Atlantic vagrant! 

Pale-bellied Brent Geese                                                     GG

Grey Plover and Redshank                                                  GG