8th-11th October
A real mixed bag of good and bad weather with some superb days thrown in to keep the obs staff going despite howling gales and pouring rain.
The 8th started with good promise and duly delivered, a system of overnight easterlies with a few drizzly showers felt like the perfect mix to produce some much needed migrants on the land. The first of the day was a Lapland Bunting that shot south past the Bothy, two Jackdaws left to the south from Twingness before the rain set in. One of the birds of the day was also discovered before the rain set in, our second Lanceolated Warbler was discovered in the middle of Gue Park, the bird was initially flushed and needed some effort to relocate it but it eventually showed superbly in short grass as it scuttled around in grassy furrows. From this point onwards the rain was pretty relentless but birding continued with good numbers of Goldcrests, Redwings and Bramblings all arriving. At least three Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen throughout the day. The second major discovery of the day was the islands first Red-flanked Bluetail since 2019, at Claypows. Despite terrible showers the bird showed at close range on the Breckan track.
The following day felt like a race against time in the knowledge that poor weather was arriving and would scupper our chances a little bit. The day started well with a large flock of c60 Brambling near Ancum, a new Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped at Ancum Willows, a Corncrake was flushed from cover near the Old Kirk and a couple fresh Siberian Chiffchaffs were seen around Holland, this all preceded our second Red-flanked Bluetail in as many days, with the previous days bird still in place a new one was found around Lurand and again gave superb views throughout the day until dusk. A flurry of late morning sightings saw our first Greenfinch of the year at Veracott, a smart Bluethroat at Barrenha' and a rather bedraggled Barred Warbler was at Scottsha'. After lunch the first Olive-backed Pipit of the season was found calling around the Camping Field in what was turning into a superb day! The bird of the day would appear just after 2pm in the shape of an 'Eastern' Stonechat, in field views suggested the bird was most likely a Stejneger's Stonechat, but that will be up to the BBRC to decide! If accepted it will be a first for Orkney and third for Scotland (although this is likely to change with review of records!).
The 10th saw bad weather set in that made birding challenging, however a huge movement of Thrushes was apparent with between 7000 and 10,000 Redwings being seen throughout the day. A new Yellow-browed Warbler was at Brigg while Great Spotted Woodpeckers were at Holland and Brigg.
The 11th was for the most part a total write-off. 60mph gales and driving rain made standing up a challenge but those that did venture out recorded six Barnacle Geese (one of which became the first ever ringed on the island!!) and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose. The Stejneger's Stonechat was also seen late in the day.
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