26th-29th September

 Strong southwesterlies have dominated the last four days, although a brief spell of overnight southeasterlies also brought a small flurry of migrants to the island. 26th started with the Bluethroat still present at Verracott and a male Stonechat on the Obs track. A Little Gull was feeding in the surf at Brides, two Little Stints were at Gretchen and a Little Bunting was at Ires Taing. Other highlights included a Yellow-browed Warbler at Haskie, the lingering Red-backed Shrike at Holland, a Common Swift at the Obs and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose was at Bewan.

Little Gull - TG

27th saw a total of seven Goldfinches at Peckhole and Inglis Geo, four Barred Warblers, a Redstart at Verracott, 20 Blackcaps, the Icterine Warbler at Dennishill, 49 Snow Buntings, a Crossbill, 2 Common Redpolls, four Garden Warblers, two Yellow-browed Warblers, two each of Lesser and Common Whitethroat, two Chiffchaffs, two Whinchats, a Dunnock and four Goldcrests.

Overnight southeasterlies and rain raised hopes for 28th, although by the morning the wind had switched back to a strong southwesterly. A Barred Warbler and a Willow Warbler were trapped at Holland with 11 Blackcaps early on, with a Little Bunting at West Beach and Yellow-browed Warblers at the Shooting Gallery and Brigg. The lingering Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Pectoral Sandpiper and Bluethroat were all present and a total of 40 Barnacle Geese were logged (first of the autumn). With the wind calming down in the late afternoon, a few more migrants were unearthed including a Corncrake at Longar, a new Little Bunting at Haskie, with birds also logged at the airfield and Shooting Gallery (presumably one of these relating to the morning's bird), another Bluethroat at Barrenha, another Yellow-browed Warbler at Hooking, Black Redstart at Cott, Tree Pipit at Inglis Geo, Grasshopper Warbler at Lenswick and four Barred Warblers. A total of 33 Blackcaps over the day was a good total. Perhaps the highlight of the day were the five Goosanders which flew past the Lighthouse.

Yellow-browed Warbler - TG

Grasshopper Warbler - TG

29th saw the wind pick up again from the southwest making searching for migrants rather challenging. Totals included two Little Buntings, Grey Wagtail, a Barred Warbler at North Gravity and two Spotted Flycatchers along with the usual lingering birds from the previous few days. The day's highlight was the discovery of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sandsheen amongst a flock of Ringed Plovers.

Little Bunting - TG