October 2005

October 20th: Bird of the day wa an exilipes Arctic Redpoll, trapped at Barkland. The Red Kite and Pallas's warbler remain and a Barred Warbler and Grey Phalarope were new highlights. The Barnacle Goose flock peaked at 985 whilst the 2 Brent Geese remain. A Hen Harrier and Common Buzzard added to the raptor count. Other counts were; 33 Purple Sandpiper, 17 Jack Snipe, 100 Common Snipe, 23 Short-eared Owl, 18 Wheatear, 19 Ring Ouzel, 450 Blackbird, 90 Fieldfare, 180 Song Thrush, 5,000 Redwing, 95 Blackcap, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 21 Chiffchaff (incl. 2 abietinus), 340 Goldcrest, 185 Brambling, 30 Greenfinch, 38 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Northern Bullfinch, 10 Lapland Bunting, 2 Little Bunting and singles of Short-toed Lark, Bluethroat, Dunnock, Reed Warbler, Rook and Yellowhammer.

Arctic Redpoll photos by Deryk Shaw

October 19th: Much the same stuff still around with the Red Kite and Pallas's Warbler leading the way but also 2 Little Bunting, the Short-toed Lark, Richard's Pipit, 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, a male Northern Bullfinch and 3 Little Auks. A total of 13 raptors were seen of six species, with Hen Harrier, Kestrel (3), Sparrowhawk (2), Merlin (4) and Peregrine (2) also noted. The Barnacle Goose flock had dropped slightly, to 870 but the 2 Brent Geese remain and other wildfowl included 129 Wigeon and 27 Long-tailed Duck. Three Long-eared and 16 Short-eared Owls were counted whilst passerines were dominated by thrushes again with 6 Ring Ouzel, 370 Blackbird, 75 Fieldfare, 150 Song Thrush, 4,500 Redwing and a Mistle Thrush logged. Other warblers included a Reed Warbler, 75 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff (4 collybita and 4 abietinus) and 250 Goldcrest. Other counts included 180 Brambling, 30 Greenfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Greenland and one Icelandic Redpoll, a Crossbill sp. and 11 Lapland Bunting.

October 18th: Star attraction today (or would have been if it had lingered) was a Red Kite, seen by one person at North Light and amazingly (considering there are 30 birders on the isle) only by one other when it drifted over the Obs and headed west at around 12 noon. Also new in were a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Rook. The Barnacle Goose flock continues to grow and now numbers 910 (including quite a few darvic-ringed birds)! Other counts included 113 Wigeon, 5 Goldeneye and singles of Red-throated and Great Northern Divers, 20 Jack Snipe, 135 Common Snipe, 100 Woodcock, 6 Wood Pigeon, 2 Long-eared Owl and 17 Short-eared Owl. On the passerine front were single Richards Pipit, Dunnock, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Stonechat, Pallas's Warbler, Yellowhammer and Little Bunting, plus counts of 270 Blackbird, 100 Fieldfare, 150 Song Thrush, 4 Mistle Thrush, 3 Garden Warbler, 60 Blackcap, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 250 Goldcrest, 180 Brambling, 33 Greenfinch, one Lesser Redpoll, 23 'mealy' Common Redpoll and one each of 'Greenland' and 'Iceland' Redpolls, 9 Common Crossbill, 14 Lapland Bunting and 10 Reed Bunting.

October 17th: Star bird today was a Lanceolated Warbler near Kenaby, delighting all viewers as it scurried quickly through the rough grass. Two Pallas's Warblers on Dronger had people groaning about the extra exertion needed to see them! Nine Yellow-browed Warblers were scattered mainly along the cliffs in the north of the isle and a Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen briefly in Gunnawark, whilst the Little Bunting was again seen in Easter Lother. A high count of 17 Short-eared Owls were mainly concetrated in da Water whilst 2 Long-eared Owls were also seen - one trapped at Barkland and another at Shirva. Thrush counts were; 15 Ring Ouzel, 500 Blackbird, 32 Fieldfare, 420 Song Thrush, 5,000 Redwing and a Mistle Thrush. Other warblers included 120 Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaff (one eastern). Goldcrests reached 360 and Bramblings 160 with also 15 Greenfinch, 15 'Mealy' Common Redpoll, 2 Hawfinch, 10 Reed Bunting and 2 Yellowhammer. A very thin female Scaup was picked up at South Light whilst other ducks seen were 2 Long-tailed Duck and a Goldeneye. Also of note were 22 Jack Snipe, an estimated 100 Woodcock, a Whimbrel, 6 Wood Pigeon, 3 Richards Pipit, a Dunnock, 61 Robin, Black Redstart, 2 Common Redstart and 14 Wheatear. Finally, the Barnacle Goose record was broken again with 783 counted.

October 16th: Yesterday's Barnacle Goose record was short-lived with in excess of 700 birds counted today. Thrushes continue to pass through with 5 Ring Ouzel, 330 Blackbird, 60 Fieldfare, 6,000 Redwing, 220 Song Thrush and a single Mistle Thrush reported. Warblers consisted of 35 Blackcap, 4 Yellow-browed, 2 Willow and 9 Chiffchaff (including 3 greyish 'eastern' types). The cliffs also continue to ring with the high-pitched calls of Goldcrest with 260 noted today. A large flock of Brambling has settled in the bird-crop at Kenaby and now numbers 140 birds. Other finches noted were; 20 Greenfinch, 3 Siskin, 3 Linnet, 63 Twite, 14 Redpolls (one Lesser, 7 Mealy, one Greenland, one Iceland and 4 unidentified) and a Hawfinch. Other counts and sightings of note were 10 Grey Heron, 6 Water Rail, 13 Jack Snipe, 25 Woodcock, 120 Common Gull, 4 Wood Pigeon, 9 Short-eared Owl, 2 Long-eared owl, 2 Richard's Pipit, 50 Robin, Black Redstart, 2 Yellowhammer and a Little Bunting (at Easter Lother).

October 15th: A proper SE'ly wind brought instant results. There were birds everywhere!! Counts were dominated by thrushes with 9 Ring Ouzel, 500 Blackbird, 41 Fieldfare, 500 Song Thrush, 12,000 Redwing and a single Mistle Thrush. There was also a record count of Barnacle Geese with two large flocks present adding up to 608 birds - several sporting coloured darvic rings. Several other species were in much greater numbers than of late; Water Rail (7), Purple Sandpiper (25), Jack Snipe (25), Common Snipe (170), Common Gull (34), Short-eared Owl (6), Robin (35), Blackcap (45), Yellow-browed Warbler (12), Goldcrest (300) and Brambling (230). Other sightings of note were; 10 Woodcock, 2 Wood Pigeon, a Short-toed Lark, a Richard's Pipit, 2 Black Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 'eastern' Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Red-backed Shrike, 8 Chaffinch, 4 Linnet, 17 Redpoll (mainly 'mealy'), 2 Hawfinch, 2 Yellowhammer and 7 Reed Bunting. Strangest bird however was trapped in the Plantation and appears to be some sort of hybrid Turtle Dove. It was wearing a closed black plastic ring with the inscription NL - H6 04 1022 Any takers?


	Hybrid Turtle Dove by Rory Tallack

October 14th: A light S'ly turned SSE'ly later on. The Lanceolated Warbler showed regularly, but fleetingly, in the Obs Plantation. Other highlights were a Barred Warbler at Utra, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and the Hawfinch still in the Plantation and a Common Crossbill. Fewer thrushes today with 550 Redwing but 3 Ring Ouzel too. Other counts incuded 4 Water Rail, 19 Common Gull, Short-eared Owl, the House Martin still, 9 Robin, 3 Whinchat, Stonechat, 18 Blackcap, 38 Brambling, 4 Siskin, 2 Linnet and a Yellowhammer.

October 13th: Fair Isle finally came good (in a light Westerly wind!) with a Lanceolated Warbler in Bull's Park and then later an Olive-backed Pipit at Sma Trinket Geo. Prior to all this however, a Hawfinch was trapped in the Plantation in the morning. The Great Grey Shrike lingers as do the two Brent Geese, two Yellow-browed Warblers, House Martin and the Yellowhammer. Thrushes comprised 2,000 Redwing, 5 Ring Ouzel, 30 Blackbird, 25 Song Thrush and 15 Fieldfare. Other counts included 23 Whooper Swan, Pintail, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, Slavonian Grebe, 3 Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, 40 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and 25 Brambling.

Hawfinch by Deryk Shaw

Lanceolated Warbler by Deryk Shaw

October 12th: Some more wildfowl movement with 23 Whooper Swan, 850 Greylags, 53 Pinkfeet, 70 Barnacle Goose, 107 Wigeon, Shoveler and 21 Red-breasted Merganser. A Slavonian Grebe frequented South Harbour, where a Yellowhammer was found, whilst a Common Sandpiper was in the Havens. Two Short-eared Owls were seen and the Great Grey Shrike remained - impaling a Blackcap in the Plantation! Four Goldfinch were seen and counts of 300 Golden Plover, 3 Woodcock, 1500 Redwing, Ring Ouzel, 3 Fieldfare, 45 Blackbird, 20 Song Thrush, 11 Blackcap and 45 Brambling.

October 11th: A good day for wildfowl with 30 Whooper Swan, 53 Pink-footed Goose, 300+ Greylag Goose, 83 Barnacle Goose, the 2 Brent Goose (pale bellied), 107 Wigeon, 52 Teal, 6 Pintail, Tufted Duck, Long-tailed Duck and 7 Red-breasted Merganser. The Great Grey Shrike was still present whilst new in were a Common Buzzard, 3 Goldfinch and 3 Linnet. Counts included 6 Grey Heron, 192 Golden Plover, 22 Jack Snipe, 140 Common Snipe, 169 Turnstone, 200 Meadow Pipit, 7 Robin, 30 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 900 Redwing, 13 Blackcap, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 25 Brambling, 10 Siskin, 100 Twite, 13 Lapland Bunting and 66 Snow Bunting plus singles of Red-throated Diver, Wood Pigeon, Short-eared Owl, Stonechat, Chiffchaff and 'mealy' Redpoll.

October 10th: The Great Grey Shrike was trapped in the Plantation. A Stonechat was new and 2 Arctic Terns also. The sea also produced 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-throated Diver and 8 Red-breasted Merganser. The two Brent Geese remain, with 152 other geese counted. Thrushes were down with 700 Redwing, 46 Blackbird, 54 Song Thrush and 3 Ring Ouzel. Eight Blackcap and single Willow and Yellow-browed were the only Warblers seen. Waders were dominated by 120 Golden Plover with 12 Jack Snipe, 66 Common Snipe and 3 Woodcock of note.

Great Grey Shrike

by Rory Tallack

October 9th: The sea was active today with singles of Red-throated, Great Northern and Black-throated Diver seen plus a Sooty Shearwater, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Puffin also reported. A Wood Pigeon was new as was a Great Grey Shrike and a Linnet. Meanwhile 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Red-breasted Flycatcher remain. Other sightings and counts included the 2 Brent Geese, 18 Jack Snipe, Short-eared Owl, 110 Skylark, 225 Meadow Pipit, 5 Robin, Black Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 20 Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, 55 Blackbird, 1200 Redwing, 44 Song Thrush and 13 Blackcap.

October 8th: Although the wind was light, birding was made very difficult by the constant heavy rain!! However it did pass in the aftternoon to leave some blue sky and sunshine. Highlights were a Corncrake in Gilsetter, a Slavonian Grebe in South Harbour, a count of 5 Yellow-browed Warblers,a Spotted Flycatcher plus the 2 Brent Geese and the Iceland Gull again outside the Observatory. An influx of Jack Snipe was noted with at least 40 counted plus 120 Common Snipe and a Woodcock. A Storm Petrel was picked up at South Light (where 7 dead Redwings were also collected) and released after dark. Sightings were however dominated by an arrival of thrushes, with 2 Ring Ouzel, 100 Blackbird, 80 Song Thrush and 3,000 Redwing counted. Warbler sightings comprised the 5 Yellow-broweds, 12 Blackcap and a Garden Warbler. A flock of 50 Brambling and 8 Siskin plus 2 Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 100 Twite made up the finch count. Also noted were the House Martin, a Tree Pipit, 3 Robin, the Bluethroat, 3 Whinchat and 23 Wheatear.

October 7th: The 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain, as does the Iceland Gull, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Rosefinch. Single Red-throated Diver, Short-eared Owl and House Martin were seen plus the first Woodcock of the autumn. Thrushes dominated once again with a single Ring Ouzel and Fieldfare, 7 Blackbird, 29 Song Thrush and 600 Redwing. Other counts included 23 Brambling, 6 Siskin, 11 Lapland Bunting and 40 Snow Bunting.

October 6th: Fair Isle highlights today were 2 Red-breasted Flycatcher and 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese. The Richard's Pipit, Bluethroat, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers and Rosefinch were other noteables. A count of 17 Jack Snipe was good and other counts included 20 Wheatear, 11 Blackbird, Fieldfare, 31 Song Thrush, 800 Redwing, 9 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 50 Brambling, 6 Siskin, 110 Twite, 7 Lapland Bunting and 42 Snow Bunting.

October 5th: Amazingly, the second dry day in a row, with a brisk SW'ly wind. Highlights were a Red-breasted Flycatcher in Hjukni and 7 Yellow-browed Warblers but sightings were dominated by a large arrival of Redwings. At least 2,000 were counted and whereas up to now all have been dark Icelandic (coburnii) birds, the birds today were of the Scandinavian (iliacus) race. Along with the Redwings were 60 Song Thrushes, 4 Fieldfares, 6 Blackbirds and 2 Ring Ouzels. The Richard's Pipit remains and just one Rosefinch was seen. Other counts included 10 Jack Snipe, 70 Common Snipe, 100 Skylark, 5 Swallow, the House Martin, 255 Meadow Pipit, Black Redstart, 36 Wheatear, 11 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 6 Chaffinch, 25 Brambling, 9 Siskin, 110 Twite, 16 Lapland Bunting and 79 Snow Bunting.

October 4th: A very pleasant day with NO RAIN and a light SW'ly wind. The flock of geese (3 species plus the Red-breasted!) reached 220 and a couple of Tufted Ducks were seen. A Long-eared Owl was flushed from the Gully on early traps. Highlights were 7 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Little Buntings, 2 Rosefinch, a Richard's Pipit and a Barred Warbler. An influx of finches was noted with 21 Brambling and 13 Siskins with 6 Chaffinch, 5 Linnet and 80 Twite. Thrushes were dominated by Redwing (130) with other species barely making double figures.

October 3rd: A cloudy morning with a light SW'ly brightened up in the afternoon. Much the same birds around as before - the Greenland Whitefront with the 240 strong mixed goose flock. A Tufted Duck and 31 Wigeon made up the other wildfowl sightings. A Red-throated Diver flew by whilst the Richard's Pipit, Bluethroat, 3 Rosefinch, 2 Greenland Redpolls, Ortolan and Little Bunting all remain. The only new things in were a Tree Pipit, c45 Redwing (the first thrush 'fall' of the autumn) and more Snow Buntings (98).

Richard's Pipit by Steve Minton

October 2nd: Another wet day with a NW'ly wind. New birds in included another Bluethroat, at Barkland and another Little Bunting - at Kenaby, with the first bird still at Bull's Park. A House Martin at North Light and two Yellow-browed Warblers were also new. Lingering highlights included the Ortolan and a few Redpolls (including 2 Greenlands). Other sightings of note were a Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Cormorant, the Greenshank still, 9 Lapland Bunting and 23 Snow Bunting.

October 1st: A cooler NW'ly wind today but still a few things came in. A Bluethroat was trapped at the Observatory, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers were spotted and 2 Water Rails eluded many for a while. The 130 strong goose flock included 35 Barnacles and the White-fronted but also the escaped Red-breasted Goose (which has been here since mid-July) for a while before it retreated back to the safety of the Chalet pond!! A Tree Pipit was spotted amongst the 205 Meadow Pipit - a count only beaten by Skylark (215). Three Sparrowhawks and two each of Peregrine, Kestrel and Merlin kept most passerines alert. Bonxies have been rapidly dwindling the past week or so and are down to just eight on the hill. Wheatears had increased to 30 and also 6 Whinchat. A handful of thrushes (4 species) were seen whilst a similar number of warblers included single Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler plus 5 Blackcap. Finches comprised Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 2 Common Rosefinch and 85 Twite. Finally, a nice variety of buntings were present - 8 Lapland, 21 Snow and singles of Ortolan and Little Bunting.