6th-8th September

 The Westerlies continued with intermittent spells of rain and an overall colder feel to the weather in general.

The 6th was a fairly quiet day but not without its highlights. A Snow Bunting at Bewan was the first of the Autumn while Lapland Bunting numbers increased to 8 birds, 3 at Sandar and 5 on Tor Ness. The first Pink-footed Geese of the Autumn were below the school and the Baird's Sandpiper remained on Bewan with 3 Curlew Sandpipers until the 8th. Up to 3 Hen Harriers have been stalking the island often seen together over the obs crop or Holland.

The 7th seemed like it was going be fairly quiet, a new Rosefinch at Dennishill looked as though it would be the only highlight on top of a Short-eared Owl near Sandar. A late afternoon message from Dante including a photo of 'an odd looking Ringed Plover' would eventually turn in Britain's 5th and Scotland's 2nd Semipalmated Plover! The bird was striking its overall smaller appearance and worn mantle. It wasn't however until we got back and began looking at photos of the birds feet that reality began to set in. A few emails to notable wader experts confirmed our suspicions, our role good birds continued.

The 8th was taken up mostly trying to re-find the Plover, it was eventually re-found in the early afternoon on the Links before it re-located to the grass between Sjavier and Bewan before heading back to Links. Other day highlights included 33 Pink-footed Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent, 3 Curlew Sandpipers and the Baird's Sandpiper.

Semipalmated Plover                                                            GG

Hen Harrier                                                                            GG