NORTH RONALDSAY - 20th October

A difficult day in the field with a moderately strong and pretty cold northerly wind cutting through you after a few hours stomping around; there were still birds to be had though despite coverage being slightly down on the last few days, totals included 2 Sooty Shearwaters and a Bonxie off the Lighthouse, 9 Herons, 173 Wigeon, an increase in duck off The Links with 11 Long-tailed Duck, a Common Scoter and 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Hen Harriers, a Sparrowhawk, single Merlin and Peregrine, 2 Grey Plover, 56 Robins, 2 Redstart still, a Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel, 48 Song Thrush, 205 Redwing, a good 7 Mistle Thrush, 7 Chiffchaff, 36 Brambling, 2 Siskin, an increased 19 Common Redpolls, 2 Hawfinches still, 3 Lapland Bunting, 33 Snow Bunting and a Yellowhammer still.

Brambling flock