Sept 17th-23rd: A week dominated by westerly winds and hence no major falls of migrants. However a few nice birds made it here. Highlights of Corncrake (20th), Wood Warbler (23rd) and Common Rosefinches (at least three during the week) whilst the Barred Warbler and approachable Ortolan remaind throughout. A lone Pink-footed Goose on 18th was the forerunner of daily passage, peaking at 300 on 22nd and 80 Greylag on 21st. Raptors comprised two each of Peregrine, Kestrel and Merlin. An increase in ducks was noted with peak counts of 31 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a Tufted Duck. The sea produced a handful of auks and single Sooty Shearwaters (22nd & 23rd). Thrashing the wet areas on land turned up a few Jack Snipe (from 19th), with four on 20th the best count so far. Passerines have been scarce with a couple of Black Redstarts, a Common Redstart (23rd) and a scattering of warblers - daily counts of less than five each of Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Willow Warbler plus a couple of the summering Chiffchaffs still. These were swamped in the flocks of Meadow Pipits continuing to pass through with counts of 2-300 daily, joined by Skylarks (c150 daily) and Twite (120 daily). A brief sniff of south-easterly winds on 23rd produced a mini-fall of Song Thrushes (16) and a few Goldcrests (5) plus another Barred Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher. Lapland Buntings and Snow Buntings have been slowly increasing, peaking at 9 and 31 respectively. Most interest however has been provided by a selection of Redpolls; 1-2 Lesser, 3 Mealy, one Greenland plus one 'northwestern'.
September 16th: A cooler day with showers and a NNW'ly wind. New arrivals included a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Stackhoull. Also seen were a Red-breasted Merganser, five Grey Heron, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, two Greenshank, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Lapland Bunting and 17 Snow Buntings. A scattering of warblers included three Barred and four each of Willow and Blackcap. Finally, the Common Rosefinch and Ortolan remain.

Ortolan Bunting Photos by Deryk Shaw

September 15th: One Dotterel remains, as does the Ortolan and Common Rosefinch. A Turtle Dove was new however and Red-throated Diver, Sooty Shearwater, two Cormorant, two Ruff, two Sparrowhawk, Merlin and Peregrine were other non-passerine highlights. Smaller birds included 113 Skylark, 340 Meadow Pipit, two Dunnock, Black Redstart, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, two Barred Warbler, five Blackcap, 11 Willow Warbler, 140 Twite and 13 Snow Bunting.

September 14th: The two Dotterel remain on Buness and two Barred Warbler, Ortolan and a Rosefinch were in the south. Willow Warblers rose to 18 whilst the first movement of Greylag Geese (46) was noted. A few ducks (33 Wigeon and 13 Teal) plus two Red-throated Diver, six Sooty Shearwater and two Arctic Tern were the sea-based highlights. A Lapland Bunting and three Snow Buntings ended the days log.

September 13th: A male Goosander was a nice find and two Manx Shearwater flew past. An Arctic Skua and two Arctic Terns were also seen at sea. The two Dotterel remain on Buness but the American Golden Plover appears to have gone (to Foula?). Warblers were almost exclusively of the Willow variety with 16 counted. Two Common Rosefinch, a Lapland Bunting and three Snow Buntings were all noted.

September 5th: Absolute blanket fog all day but the Booted Warbler was re-found early this morning at Setter, but disappeared shortly after and could not be relocated. The ringed Icterine Warbler remained at the Chalet and the two Red-backed Shrikes and three Barred Warblers remain. It was looking like no new stuff had arrived (understandably given the weather) when a Thrush Nightingale was discovered mid-afternoon at Skerryholm. It showed extremely well to all 15 or so people present and narrowly escaped the Skerryholm cat!! Other sightings in the fog included seven Grey Heron, three Sparrowhawk, two Tree Pipit, a Black Redstart, a Common Redstart, three Whinchat, Fieldfare, two Reed Warbler, three Garden Warbler, nine Willow Warbler, two Goldcrest and a Pied Flycatcher.

Photo by Rory Tallack

Thrush Nightingale

Photo by Paul Baxter

September 4th: A better day with a few new birds in with morning census producing three Icterine Warblers, three Barred Warblers, two Red-backed Shrikes, a Wryneck and the first Blackcaps(2) of the autumn. Other counts and highlights included; seven Grey Heron, three Sparrowhawk, five Kestrel, a Merlin, 63 Ringed Plover, 27 Golden Plover, 69 Dunlin, two Ruff, 77 Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, 157 Turnstone, an Arctic Skua (adult),a Common Tern, 585 Meadow Pipit, 92 'alba' Wagtails, four Whinchat, 115 Wheatear, Fieldfare, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, two Garden Warbler, ten Willow Warbler, two Goldcrest, eight Pied Flycatcher and the two Tree Sparrows. A Puffin was seen entering a burrow with fish - a very late nester!! Best of all waited until the evening when a Booted Warbler was discovered at Field Ditch. Unfortunately it only showed to one person and very briefly to two others before disappearing as the light faded. With fog forecast overnight and tomorrow, hopefully it shall still be present!!!

Red-backed Shrike Photo by Steve Minton

Icterine Warbler

Photos by Paul Baxter

Red-backed Shrike

September 3rd: Highlights today could have been better given the conditions but we had to settle for five Barred Warblers, an Icterine warbler, Red-backed Shrike and a Common Rosefinch. Counts of three Sparrowhawk, three Kestrel, 54 Dunlin, Ruff, 550 Meadow Pipit, 67 'alba' Wagtails, three Whinchat, 86 Wheatear, a scattering of common warblers, five Pied Flycatcher and a Common Crossbill were also made.