2007 - OCTOBER SIGHTINGS

October 30^th: The Bluethroat remains at Setter. Jackdaws are still plentiful with 88 counted. Finches were the only other specie of note with 60 Brambling, 22 Greenfinch and 67 Siskin plus 53 Snow Bunting.

October 29^th: The Pine Bunting has moved to the bird crop at Lower Stoneybrek whilst the Bluethroat remains at Setter and the Subalpine Warbler at the Obs. Counts were dominated by thrushes with 355 Blackbird, 255 Fieldfare and 345 Redwing plus 195 Greylag Goose, 2 White-fronted Goose, 115 Jackdaw, a few finches (46 Brambling, 17 Greenfinch, 61 Siskin and 4 Common Redpoll) and 5 Yellowhammer. Other sightings included a Little Auk, a Moorhen, Long-eared Owl, 2 Short-eared Owl and a Dunnock.

October 28^th: There was some Whooper Swan movement today with up to 142 birds counted. Also were 81 Greylag and 3 Whitefronted Geese. Elsewhere, the Pine Bunting remained at Barkland, Bluethroat at Setter and the Subalpine Warbler was seen again at the Obs. A small Crake sp. was flushed near Stackhoull but disappeared before it could be identified. Frustrating! Three Peregrines were seen together and a Long-eared Owl at the Obs. Two Black Redstarts were claimed in Easter Lother and a Ring Ouzel also in the north. Finches, with 35 Brambling, 20 Greenfinch and 50 Siskin dominated other sightings.

October 27^th: The Pine Bunting was still present at Barkland and the Bluethroat at Setter. An exhausted and bedraggled Blyth’s Pipit was found near Stackhoull – it predictably died a short while later. Counts included 5 Whooper Swan, 2 Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl, Black Redstart, 3 Ring Ouzel, 82 Jackdaw, 2 Chaffinch, 57 Brambling, 25 Greenfinch, 110 Siskin and 3 Yellowhammer. There was a report of a small Crake sp. at Walli Burn!!

Blyth's Pipit Photographs by Mark Breaks

October 25th: The Pine Bunting wandered into the Barkland heligoland trap and was brought to the Obs to be ringed. On examination it was found to have a tiny bit of yellow on the underwing at the carpal, so possibly has some ancestral Yellowhammer genes, but had it not been trapped this would never have been seen. Jackdaws are still much in evidence with around 90 counted today. An increase in thrushes was noted with 600 Blackbird, 430 Fieldfare and 420 Redwing logged. An influx of Woodcock produced 120 for the log whilst finches also arrived in numbers with 56 Brambling, 3 Chaffinch, 20 Greenfinch, 24 Siskin, 57 Twite and 3 Common Redpoll counted. Two Yellowhammer were also seen. The Subalpine Warbler was seen again briefly at the Obs and the Bluethroat remains at Setter.

Pine Bunting Photograph by Deryk Shaw

Pine Bunting Photographs by Deryk Shaw

showing small amounts of yellow along some primary edges and on underwing

October 25th: Star arrival today was a male Pine Bunting at Barkland. It appears to have faint yellowish edges to the bases of some of the primaries but has no other characteristics to suggest a hybrid origin. A similar bird was seen here in 1995. If accepted it will be our 9th record. The other talking point was the number of Jackdaws, which has now reached 114. Many have particularly pale grey napes (one had a very distinct white collar) indicating Scandinavian origin. The Firecrest remains on the cliffs near North Light and the Bluethroat at Setter. Other counts included 40 Woodcock, 162 Turnstone, 350 Redwing, 430 Fieldfare, 210 Blackbird and a Mistle Thrush plus 2 each of Long-eared and Short-eared Owl and a 5 Common Redpolls. October 24th: A Firecrest on the cliffs near North Light, whilst not a national rarity, was only our 4th record and first since 1992. Whilst searching for the Firecrest, a Little Bunting made a brief appearance at the same place!! The Dusky Warbler was reported again at the Haa, the Subalpine Warbler was on the cliffs at Furse and the Bluethroat remained at Setter. The main arrival today was that of 85 Jackdaw – the largest influx since 1979, when 270 were recorded. A Yellowhammer and 3 Reed Bunting were also seen.

Pine Bunting Photograph by Mark Breaks Firecrest Photograph by Mark Breaks

October 23^rd: Today was supposed to be the day of THE BIGGIE!! Sadly it never materialised – its obviously going to be later this year!? The highlight of the day was a late Swallow!! Four Great Northern Divers and a Sooty Shearwater were seen on seawatches. The Bluethroat and a Richards Pipit remain whilst 8 species of finch included 70 Siskin and 20 Brambling.

October 22^nd: The Subalpine Warbler remains at the Obs and the Bluethroat at Setter. A Dusky Warbler (our 13^th record) was found in Walli Burn mid-morning. One Richards Pipit was seen plus 20 Woodcock, 220 Blackbird, 135 Fieldfare, 210 Redwing, the 2 Jackdaw, a Rook and 45 Siskin. A brief seawatch produced a Sooty Shearwater and a Little Auk.

October 21^st: The Subalpine Warbler remains at the Obs and the Bluethroat at Setter. New in were a Little Grebe in Furse, 2 Waxwing, 2 Jackdaw and a couple of Little Auk past. Two each of Goldfinch and Linnet were seen plus 8 Siskin and 4 Common Redpoll.

October 20^th: Some movement today with a male Subalpine Warbler at the Obs the highlight. A Barred Warbler was also present here. Another Richards Pipit arrived making three in total whilst some finch passage included 33 Siskin and 5 Goldfinch. Five Whooper Swan, the Bluethroat and a Yellow-browed Warbler were also noted.

Subalpine Warbler Photographs by Mark Breaks

Subalpine Warbler

At sea, whilst small numbers of Guillemots are often seen at this time of year it is unusual to also record (as we have this autumn) similar numbers of Razorbill and even the occasional Puffin. More symptoms of a troubled marine ecosysytem?

October 19th: A quiet day with 2 Richards Pipit, the Bluethroat and a Yellow-browed Warbler. Nine Long-tailed Duck and a Common Scoter in South harbour were nice. Four Harbour Porpoise were seen off Buness. Common Scoter Photograph by Mark Breaks

October 18^th: Richards Pipits, Little Bunting and Bluethroat were all seen again. A Common Scoter, a Hen Harrier, a Dunnock and a Tree Sparrow were all new.

October 17^th: Richards Pipits, Little Bunting and Bluethroat were all seen again. Seawatching produced Red-throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Sooty Shearwater and Little Auk. Two each of Greenfinch and Goldfinch were seen.

October 16^th: Two Richards Pipits, Little Bunting, Bluethroat and a Yellow-browed Warbler remain. The sea produced 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, Arctic Skua, 2 Arctic Tern, a Little Auk and an unidentified Phalarope sp. A few finches arrived with Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch and 3 Siskin noted.

October 15^th: Two Richards Pipits, Little Bunting, Bluethroat and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers remain. A Little Auk was seen offshore. A female Sparrowhawk has joined the throng of raptors, already consisting of Kestrel, 4 Merlin, Peregrine, Long-eared Owl and Short-eared Owl. Thrush counts were; 150 Blackbird, 300 Fieldfare, 300 Redwing and 20 Song Thrush.

October 14th: A Barred Warbler at Easter Lother was the most significant new arrival. Two Richards Pipits, Little Bunting, Bluethroat and 3 Yellow-browed Warblers remain. Four Merlin, Peregrine, 4 Short-eared Owl and 3 Water Rail were logged. A ‘northwestern’ Common Redpoll was also noted.		Barnacle Geese Photograph by Mark Breaks
Water Rail Photograph by Mark Breaks		Common Redpoll Photograph by Mark Breaks

October 13^th: Little change. The Short-toed Lark, 2 Richards Pipit, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Bluethroat and Little Bunting remain. Two Shoveler, Long-eared owl and 4 Short-eared Owl were new and 800 each of Fieldfare and Redwing were logged.

October 12^th: A few new things in including 2 Goldeneye, 9 Cormorant, a Long-eared Owl and 9 Tree Sparrow. Pride of place went to an Olive-backed Pipit at Wirvie. The Short-toed Lark, Richards Pipit and Little Bunting remain. Four Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Bluethroat, Tree Pipit, 3 abietinus Chiffchaff and 2 ‘northwestern’ Redpolls were also logged. A suite of raptors terrorised them all with 2 Peregrines, 4 Merlins and a Kestrel around.

October 11th: A quieter day for birds, no doubt due to the strong westerly winds, with the only things of note being lingering Short-toed Lark, Richards Pipit, Bluethroat and 3 Yellow-browed Warbler. There was a report from an islander that his cat had just eaten a Great Grey Shrike! He has retained its head – the shrike’s that is! The Minke Whale was again in Hesswalls. Snow Bunting Photograph by Rebecca Nason

October 10th: Much the same stuff as the previous few days with Little Bunting, Short-toed Lark, 2 Richards Pipit, 2 Bluethroat, 10 Yellow-browed Warbler and Common Rosefinch the highlights. Ten Whooper Swans went through and 200 Greylag and 387 Barnacle Geese were logged. A late Arctic Tern floated through the Havens. Thrushes were still evident with 5 Ring Ouzel, 400 Blackbird, 1400 Fieldfare, 100 Song Thrush and 2,700 Redwing. Four Woodcock, 6 Chiffchaff (3 abietinus, 3 collybita), 60 Brambling, 7 Siskin and a mealy Redpoll were also noted. A showy Minke Whale was in Hesswalls.		Richards Pipit Photograph by Mark Breaks
Minke Whale Photographs by Mark Breaks

October 9^th: The Little Bunting remained in Boini Mire. Two Whooper Swan flew through and 140 Barnacle Geese arrived. A Long-tailed Duck, Sooty Shearwater, Pomarine Skua and Arctic Tern were spotted offshore. A Short-toed Lark was at Pund and 5 Yellow-browed Warblers were scattered around the south with 2 Richards Pipit, 3 Bluethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Siskin and 2 Common Rosefinch. More thrushes arrived with 106 Blackbird, 600 Fieldfare and 1,000 Redwing logged.

Two White-sided Dolphin were seen off South Light.

October 8^th: A Little Bunting in Boini Mire may be the Skadan bird from yesterday. A Greenfinch was new but thrushes had dropped and other counts were 2 each of Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine, 10 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Richards Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Bluethroat, 33 Wheatear, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 abietinus Chiffchaff, 24 Brambling and 3 Common Rosefinch. The sea produced single Goldeneye, Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver and 3 Cormorant.

October 7th: The BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT remained on Vaasetter. An extra Richards Pipit and Bluethroat were logged with 4 Tufted Duck and a Scaup, which was new for the year. Highlight was a Little Bunting in the Skadan crop. Elsewhere the Barred Warbler was taken by a cat, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and 2 Common Rosefinch remain with 1000 Redwing and c200 other thrushes
		Little Bunting Photograph by Mark Breaks

October 6^th: The BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT remained on Vaasetter. Elsewhere it was much the same stuff as yesterday with Short-toed Lark, 2 Richards Pipits, 2 Bluethroats, Marsh Warbler, Barred Warbler, 7 Yellow-browed Warblers and 3 Common Rosefinch. More thrushes arrived with 440 Fieldfare and 3200 Redwing logged.

A Minke Whale was spotted off the east coast.

Buff-bellied Pipit Photograph by Rebecca Nason		Buff-bellied Pipit Photograph by Mark Breaks
October 5th: The BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT remained on Vaasetter. Other lingerers included Pochard, Short-toed Lark, 2 Richards Pipits, 2 Bluethroats, Marsh Warbler, Barred Warbler, 12+ Yellow-browed Warblers and 2 Common Rosefinch. Thrushes continue to pass through with counts of 7 Ring Ouzel, 80 Blackbird, 80 Fieldfare, 70 Song Thrush and 1200 Redwing. Raptors were in evidence with Kestrel, Merlin and 2 Peregrines keeping the thrushes on their toes. Other arrivals included a Ruff, 4 Tree Pipit, Blue-headed wagtail, 2 abietinus Chiffchaff and a Pied Flycatcher.		Buff-bellied Pipit Photograph by Mark Breaks

October 4^th: The BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT remained on Vaasetter. A few geese were on the move with 326 Pink-feet, 2 Greenland Whitefronts, 26 Greylags and 11 Barnacles noted. There was also an influx of thrushes with 7 Ring Ouzel, 55 Blackbird, 50 Fieldfare, 45 Song Thrush, 560 Redwing and a single Mistle Thrush logged. A few scarce migrants included a Corncrake, adult Glaucous Gull, a Short-toed Lark, 2 Richards Pipits, the 2 Bluethroats, Barred Warbler, Marsh Warbler, 10+ Yellow-browed Warblers and 2 Common Rosefinch. Other sightings included 2 Short-eared Owls, 10 Jack Snipe, 73 Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, 15 Blackcap, abietinus Chiffchaff, 104 Goldcrest, 90 Brambling, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Siskin and 82 Snow Bunting.

October 3^rd: The BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT remained on Vaasetter. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen again around the south. Two Lanceolated Warblers included one new bird at Meadow Burn and the bird from Pund, which is now at Upper Stoneybrake. Two Bluethroats are also probably both lingerers as is the Richards Pipit at Pund. A Wryneck at Midway was however new and eastern flava wagtail added interest. Two each of Barred and Yellow-browed Warblers were seen (amongst a total of 20 warblers of 9 species). A Sooty Shearwater passed Buness and the Pochard was seen again. An influx of Redwing (140) was noted and a couple of Common Rosefinch rounds things off.

October 2^nd: The BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT was still present on Vaassetter, but went missing for periods – much to the annoyance of the day-tripping twitchers from Shetland!!! The Lanceolated Warbler trapped in the Gully was scant reward! The Buff-breasted Sandpiper remained on Meoness whilst a White-rumped Sandpiper was found at South Light. A Marsh Warbler foraged on the cliffs at North Haven and around the same time, news broke of a fresh Peregrine kill near Kenaby – a WHITES THRUSH!! Elsewhere were two Greenland Whitefronted Geese, two Peregrines, two Swallows, the Quoy Bluethroat, around 100 Wheatear, 60 Thrushes, Barred Warbler, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 18 Brambling, Common Rosefinch.

October 1st: The month opened with a BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT in Homisdale/Vaasetter. From brief views it was thought to possibly be a different bird to the one a week ago!! Later, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found on Meoness! Other good sightings included the Lanceolated Warbler, which has now relocated to Charlie’s Trees, a single Bluethroat, two Barred Warblers, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Common Rosefinch. Also were a Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, two House Martin and a flava Wagtail.		Yellow-browed warbler Photograph by Rebecca Nason
Buff-breasted sandpiper Photograph by Rebecca Nason		Yellow-browed warbler Photograph by Rebecca Nason