30th September - 3rd October
October hasn't quite started in the style we'd have hoped for, being dominated by strong southwesterlies which have largely halted any significant arrivals of passerines - slightly frustrating when you know what it can be like at this time of year given the right conditions. Nevertheless, we've had a trickle of decent birds during the last few days to show for people's efforts. 30th September saw two Jackdaws at Vincoin, a Little Bunting at Haskie, Pectoral Sandpiper still at Ancum, Icterine Warbler still at Dennishill, a Grasshopper Warbler trapped at the Obs, two Whinchats, 84 Snow Buntings, 11 Blackcaps and one each of Willow Warbler, Redstart, Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler, Barred Warbler, Common Rosefinch, Lesser Whitethroat Common Whitethroat, Redwing, Tree Pipit and Dunnock. 27 Barnacle Geese were present along with six Pink-footed Geese.
Highlights on 1st October included a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Southness (presumably the same as the Links bird on 29th September), Red-breasted Flycatcher at Holland, two Little Buntings, Pied Flycatcher, two Yellow-browed Warblers, 14 Blackcaps, two Garden Warblers, two Barred Warblers, three Redwings, three Whinchats, 90 Pink-footed Geese and a Peregrine.
2nd saw the first Richard's Pipit of the year found at Scottigar, the first record since 2021 after drawing a blank last year. Other notable sightings included a Collared Dove, three Little Buntings, Pectoral Sandpiper, Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Redstart. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper also relocated to Scottigar briefly. 3rd saw strong winds and frequent heavy showers make birding rather challenging. Highlights included the lingering Richard's Pipit at Dennishill, Short-eared Owl, Grey Wagtail, 15 Whooper Swans, 83 Pink-footed Geese, Long-tailed Duck (first of the autumn), Yellow-browed Warbler, Siskin, five Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, six Goldfinches and 46 Black-tailed Godwits.
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