Awoke to the forecast light rain and a southerly breeze. It felt very nice conditions for the first few hours as the light rain persisted and was grounding Song Thrushes in good numbers, Meadow Pipits and Bramblings were making landfall and a few Snipe and Skylarks were seen overflying the island. Although it remained overcast the rain stopped mid-morning that coincided with the wind dropping to calm so ideal conditions for birding. Song Thrushes were widespread, Reed Buntings were in good numbers, four Yellow-browed Warblers, a couple of Robins, a Redpoll was heard flying around and our first hirundine was seen in the form of a Swallow, the Lapwing had remained as had the Bluethroat. By midday the skies had cleared leaving fresher air combined with excellent visibility although there was a freshening unfortunately westerly wind. An afternoon circuit including Magnus's Watch resulted in flushing a Jack Snipe and the bird of the day in the form of a Lapland Bunting. A late afternoon walk over the East Isle hill produced three more Jack Snipe and a Purple Sandpiper on a nearby wave platform.
Eider 40
Heron 6
Ringed Plover 6
Golden Plover 40
Lapwing 1
Purple Sandpiper 1
Jack Snipe 4
Snipe 7
Turnstone 6
Black-headed Gull 4
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1
Goldcrest 1
Skylark 15
Swallow 1
Yellow-browed Warbler 4
Willow Warbler 2
Blackcap 10
Song Thrush 47
Robin 2
Bluethroat 1
Whinchat 3
Wheatear 16
Pied Wagtail 1
Meadow Pipit 40
Chaffinch 2
Brambling 11
Redpoll sp h
Lapland Bunting 1
Reed Bunting 11
Song Thrush on Out Skerries
Brambling in 'our' garden on Out Skerries
Hooded Crow on Out Skerries
Yellow-browed Warbler on Out Skerries
Swallow on Out Skerries
Great Spotted Woodpecker on Out Skerries
Blackcap on Out Skerries
Jack Snipe on Out Skerries
Easternmost point of the British Isles
Rainbow over the northeastern rocks
Sunset over Out Skerries harbour
