NORTH RONALDSAY - 30th September

A different day with a brisk, cold NNW wind and a few showers in the morning, brightening up and slightly easing in the afternoon.   There was again a reduction in the numbers of migrants across the island with pretty much the only new bird being an awesome HORNEMANN’S ARCTIC REDPOLL trapped at Holland House in the morning; most of the scarcities were still in place with 2 Barred Warblers still (Sandback and Holland), 2 Red-backed Shrikes still (Holland and Phisligar), the Grey-headed Wagtail on the beach at Sandback but no Yellow-browed Warblers.   Other totals included 3 Herons, the first 5 Whooper Swans of the autumn, the 3 Quail again in the same field at Kirbest, a Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 2 Merlins, 3 Grey Plover, a Long-eared Owl at Holland, 5 Swallows, a Tree Pipit, 11 Rock Pipit, 13 Robins, 4 Redstarts, 2 Whinchats, 10 Wheatears, a Fieldfare, 12 Song Thrush, 13 Redwing, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 5 Goldcrest, 8 Chaffinches, a Lapland Bunting, 3 Snow Buntings and 8 Reed Buntings.

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll