23rd-24th September

Another good day on the 23rd was followed by a bit of a clear out and wet and windy weather on the 24th. Some birds perhaps noted the change in weather before we did, 15 Red-throated Divers and a Great-nothern Diver took refuge in Nouster Bay on the 23rd, numbers of Tufted Duck peaked at 31 as did Shoveler at 19 birds, Red-breasted Merganser at 2 and a single Pintail was still present on Ancum.
The 23rd bought 4 Grey Plovers, 12 Knot and 2 Whimbrel wader wise, along with 7 Pink-footed Geese seen heading out South and a male Peregrine.
Over the two days the high Passerine counts were 2 Whinchat, 1 Robin, 1 Redstart present at Westness on both days, others singles included Song Thrush, Lesser and Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Siskin and the Icterine Warbler moved into Holland before being trapped on the 23rd.
Yellow-browed Warblers highest count was 4 still making them one of the commoner vagrants on the island, the 24th also bought us 2 Siskin and 2 Common Rosefinches.
The other news of note was 2 White-sided Dolphins in Nouster also on the 23rd.

Pink-footed Geese - George Gay
Lapland Bunting - George Gay

Tufted Duck - George Gay




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