November 2005

2005 - NOVEMBER SIGHTINGS

November 30th: A Brambling at Upper Leogh rounded off the month.

November 29th: Two each of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Greenfinch were noted whilst two Moorhens at Quoy have apparently been present for at least two weeks. An increase in Common Snipe was noted and a single Jack Snipe was flushed and single Grey Heron and Curlew linger.

November 28th: Two Long-tailed Ducks were in South Haven.

November 27th: First-winter and second-winter Glaucous Gulls were at South Light whilst four Lapwings were new and two female Chaffinches were at the Obs.

November 25th: The stormy weather has brought in at least three Glaucous Gulls (adult and two first-winters) and a first-winter Iceland Gull. A Long-eared Owl was trapped in the Gully and the Goldfinch was again in the Plantation.

November 22nd: A Goldfinch and 2 Mealy Redpolls were in the Plantation.

November 21st: A Kestrel was seen and a Red-breasted Merganser in south harbour.

November 18th: A ringtail Hen Harrier quartered the north of the isle plus a Kestrel and Merlin. Twelve Pinkfeet flew over and 7 Woodcock were flushed. the south held 2 Mealy Redpoll, a Black Redstart and a pair of Chaffinch.

November 17th: The Rook was again at Setter, a Dunnock at Shirva, 6 Greenfinch and a Chaffinch and 120 Snow Bunting. The Greylag flock is still high at 130 and an adult and juvenile Whooper Swan arrived.

November 16th: A single Waxwing was at the Observatory.

November 15th: A Rook is at Setter and a male Long-tailed Duck in the Havens and a Kestrel was seen.

November 14th: A family party of four Whooper Swans landed briefly at Field.

November 13th: The Little Bunting was seen again in the Bull's Park crop with a male Siskin and c200 Snow Buntings (in several flocks) were counted.

November 12th: Highlight was undoubtedly the juvenile SABINE'S GULL seen close inshore at South Light. Three Little Auks were seen later at sea. The Common Buzzard was seen again and 125 Snow Buntings counted. Two Sanderlings were unusual at this time whilst a male Wheatear was late and the Plantation produced a Long-eared Owl and two Greenfinch.

November 11th: A first-winter Glaucous Gull was in the gull roost on Vaasetter and a Common Redpoll was noted flying over.

Waxwings	Paul Baxter and pets at Barkland
Siberian Rubythroat	Siberian Rubythroat

November 1st-10th: Highlight of early November was the arrival of Waxwings, with birds seen daily and peak counts of 11 (3rd) and 40 (4th). A total of 15 were trapped and colour-ringed, so hopefully these may be re-sighted later in the winter, further south in Britain. A Richard's Pipit was at Barkland on 4th and presumably the same bird on Buness the following day. Barkland also produced a fly-over Olive-backed Pipit on 4th. A few Whooper Swans (4) were seen, a couple of Merlins, Kestrel and the Common Buzzard. The geese linger with c100 Greylag, 9 Pinkfeet, 21 Barnacles and a single Greenland Whitefront plus around 85 Wigeon associating with them. Lingering waders of note include 13 Golden Plover, 5 Purple Sandpiper and a Curlew. Woodcock peaked at 30 on 1st. Two Short-eared Owl plus three Wood Pigeon and two Collared Dove were seen. Peak passerine counts were a Dunnock, 8 Blackcap(2nd), 3 Chiffchaff (1st), a Goldcrest (10th), 14 Greenfinch (1st), 24 Brambling, a Siskin, Lapland Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer and c150 Snow Bunting. Best however were the Little Bunting in Bull's Park (6th onwards) and Black-bellied Dipper in Vaadal (5th).