NORTH RONALDSAY - 13th October

Much better birding conditions through the day with much lighter winds although rain moved in by mid-afternoon putting a premature end to the proceedings; I started with a walk round the Obs and coast in the morning where it was clear that there were still plenty of birds around which included a Yellowhammer by Lurand, my first Woodcock of the autumn in Funny Park, 85+ Brambling, 20+ Chaffinches, 100+ Redwings, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and a Goldcrest.

                The northern census route was then a bit quieter than yesterday with many birds having dispersed south but some good totals still included 2 Hen Harriers, a Kestrel, 3 Jack Snipe, 14 Rock Pipits, 24 Robins, a Redstart at the lighthouse, 2 Wheatears, a Ring Ouzel, 75 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrushes, a Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, the first Jackdaw of the autumn at Neven, 19 Chaffinches, 7 Brambling and 31 Snow Buntings.

                I opened the nets in Ancum Willows in the afternoon trying to beat the arriving rain and was rewarded by re-trapping yesterday’s Great Grey Shrike (it was ringed the morning in Holland) and the excitement of catching 45 Bramblings at once, in one net!

Great Grey Shrike

Brambling

Blackbird

Great-northern Diver

Whooper Swans