A strong westerly wind accompanied heavy drizzly rain at dawn but thankfully the rain had subsided by 8.30am. Walked the core areas on both islands in the morning and whilst a Yellow-browed Warbler remained in 'our' garden, the Little Bunting and a Barred Warbler were present and we had another frustratingly all-too-brief encounter with the Bluethroat, apart from a few Meadow Pipits, the only new arrival appeared to be a single White Wagtail. Given the weather conditions, somewhat surprisingly, a flight arrived from Tingwall and was looking likely to prove the 'big bird' of the day. Just when some motivational support was required a good friend sent a message to say 'there'll be yanks tomorrow', but almost before I had time to think of the possibilities, remarkably a follow-up message arrived to say there was a Red-eyed Vireo at Sumburgh - so how about that for prediction of the year! With renewed enthusiasm, kept walking the island until 6pm with little reward until getting caught out at Magnus's Watch when the wind chose to strengthen and more drizzly rain arrived. Having opted to go out without a coat, made a quick descent and whilst hastily walking past Peter Flint's roses, suddenly noticed four Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff, another Chiffchaff was present in the nearby plot and yet another was in 'our' garden. Were birds suddenly arriving at the onset of the poor weather? As well as yanks, gale force westerlies and rain are forecast for tomorrow...
Eider 20
Grey Heron 2
Peregrine 1 pursuing a Golden Plover
Ringed Plover 7
Golden Plover 1
Snipe 3
Turnstone 6
Black-headed Gull 2
Goldcrest 4
Yellow-browed Warbler 2
Chiffchaff 3
Willow Warbler 2
Blackcap 5
Barred Warbler 1
Blackbird 4
Song Thrush 1
Bluethroat 1
Whinchat 3
Wheatear 4
Dunnock 3
White Wagtail 1
Tree Pipit 2
Meadow Pipit 25
Redpoll sp.1 flight views only - presumably the Greenland
Little Bunting 1
Ground crew meeting the flight from Tingwall but where's Matt?
A friendly wave from the pilot
George's sheep have seen it all before
Departing over hillside cottage
Little Bunting still showing well at Rocklea
White Wagtail on Out Skerries
