Wednesday, 22 November 2017

NORTH RONALDSAY - 20th October


An awesome autumn day with a light easterly bringing with it mist and murk which drifted in and out through the day; opened the nets for a while in the morning and caught a Long-eared Owl (two were roosting in the bottom Sycamores) and a Woodcock in amongst plenty of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Redwings, Robins etc.

                I then went up and did the northern census route where there were thousands of birds all over the place – fantastic birding!   The highlight was finding a cracking PALLAS’S WARBLER in the garden at Bewan House which showed brilliantly while other highlights included great views of the long staying Bluethroat at Sandback, at least 12 Ring Ouzels, a Black Redstart and an Eastern Lesser Whitethroat; migrant totals comprised 1,785 Redwings, 102 Song Thrushes, 186 Blackbirds, 94 Robins, 18 Goldcrests, 21 Bramblings, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 24 Fieldfares, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Woodpigeons, 3 Mealy Redpolls, 6 Chaffinches, a Yellowhammer, a Wheatear, 7 Snow Buntings, 2 Woodcock, 3 Jack Snipe, 2 Pintail, 45 Teal, 70 Wigeon and a late Arctic Tern.

                There were thousands of birds elsewhere but the highlight was a flighty Great Grey Shrike at Ancum but it didn’t really allow close approach.


Long-eared Owl





Pallas's Warbler

More Whooper Swan action from Ancum

Brambling

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