The latter half of this week has seen autumn really kick off with some exciting arrivals of migrants as a consequence of the favourable weather conditions. The start of the week was quieter, with efforts on 14th focused on ringing the Fulmar chicks scattered about the island. Sightings on 15th were similar to previous days with reasonable numbers of waders present, although it was quiet on the passerine front. Drifty conditions on 16th saw a Melodious Warbler discovered in the afternoon at Westness, just as the wind was starting to switch to the east. The bird was trapped and ringed to confirm its identification with the wing length and wing formula ruling out Icterine Warbler. This will mark the 10th island record pending acceptance. The autumn's first Garden Warbler was also seen alongside it. A Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff were the only other passerine migrants seen. On the wader front, 406 Turnstone were noted and a Greenshank was heard over Holland in the evening. 93 Teal was a notable increase.
Melodious Warbler - TG
17th saw a Garden Warbler at Phisligar and just a single Willow Warbler at Senness with a juvenile Stonechat also roaming around. The day's highlight was a ringed Roseate Tern (unfortunately too distant to read the ring) at Neven alongside a Common Tern. With the wind firmly in the east on 18th, hopes were high for a more substantial arrival. Signs were positive with a Pied Flycatcher around the Obs early on, which was followed by 31 Willow Warblers, 5 Garden Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat. The first Common Rosefinch of the year was at Holland House and a Common Crossbill was at Westness.
Pied Flycatcher - TG
Conditions on 19th seemed perfect, with the easterly wind gaining strength and a substantial band of rain forecast. The day certainly lived up to expectations, starting with a Booted Warbler found at Howar, just as the rain was starting. Following the rain, there were good numbers of migrants around with 77 Willow Warblers, 15 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Garden Warblers, 3 Swifts, 4 Whinchats, a Tree Pipit and a Crossbill. Scarcities included 3 Icterine Warblers, a Wryneck at the Shooting Gallery, the/a Common Rosefinch at Holland and a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the west coast. All in all, it was a great day to be out despite the midday soaking!
Booted Warbler - TG
20th was much calmer and sunnier with many migrants moving inland to the gardens. Totals included 80 Willow Warblers, 3 Redstarts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Crossbills, 11 Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher, 9 Garden Warblers, 12 Whinchats and a Grasshopper Warbler. Again, there were some scarcities around with an Icterine Warbler trapped at Holland, 2 Barred Warblers at Brides and Dennishill (first of the year), a new first year Red-backed Shrike at Upper Linnay (the long staying adult female at Ancum seems to have departed) and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The highlights of the day were a Spotted Redshank at Bewan and an Osprey which flew south over Ancum towards Holland in the evening.
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