Monday 31 October 2016

31st October 2016 Unst NW2 Overcast

After the excitement of yesterday it was back to work today although I did see a Merlin take a Fieldfare and it was very evident there had been a large arrival of Blackbirds with Fieldfares and Redwings also remaining on the island in good numbers. Back in time to squeeze in nearly an hours sea-watching from Lamba Ness seeing 6 Little Auks (N), 3 Sooty Shearwaters (N),  19 blue Fulmars (N), 3 Bonxies (N), a winter-plumaged drake Long-tailed Duck (N) and 6 Greylags (N) with a couple of Snow Buntings also being heard there.

Having just enjoyed reading the first chapter of the superb 'Heligoland An Ornithological Observatory' it's good to see there is a Siberian Accentor there today - something that the legendary Heinrich Gatke never recorded there.

Bonxie passing Lamba Ness

blue Fulmar passing Lamba Ness

Sooty Shearwater and Fulmar passing Lamba Ness