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.
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.
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