15th September

The weather switched to northerlies with intermittent rain showers today, something which when dies down we hope will produce some good sea watching conditions. In the meantime, however, we can't complain at what the winds seem to have brought us. 

The highlight of the day was a Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll, found in the early evening after a brief rain shower. It showed really well as it went round the obs feeding, even giving views from the bar and conservatory windows at times! Another highlight wasn't totally avian, but a migrant nonetheless, as a plastic Canada Goose decoy with Goose Barnacles in tow washed up in Linklet Bay. 

A morning sea watch produced some good numbers, with 3 Great Shearwater, 103 Sooty Shearwater and 11 Manx Shearwater being seen flying north past Dennishead. 

The Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen once again, this time at the Post Office, and the Rosefinch that has been in the obs area for the past few days finally made its way into one of the heligolands, meaning it could be ringed.

Totals of the more common migrants once again dropped off, but include: 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, and 3 Siskin.

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll - MH

Rosefinch - HC