Sunday 5 October 2014

5th October 2014 Out Skerries S5 Clear

A dry day but with a strong southerly wind that strengthened as the day progressed. The usual early morning circuit around the East Isle produced a Grey Wagtail that flew across the harbour near Edwin's house, the Greenland Redpoll was still present at the northeast point but better was a Yellow-browed Warbler found feeding on the cliffs of the larger of the two geos. The juvenile Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit was still present in the vicinity of the pool where a Kestrel was unfortunately found dead. Migrants were again at a premium although a smart male Redstart was seen on the walk to the Marsh where there were a couple of very heavily streaked Redwings. The oddity of the day then came in the form of a Stock Dove seen flying in off the sea being a very scarce migrant in Shetland! A walk around the North Hill produced a few Song Thrushes and a couple of skeins of Pinkfeet and a few Greylags flew south.

Pink-footed Goose c.50 south
Greylag Goose 4 S
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Grey Heron 8
Kestrel 1 found dead
Ringed Plover 2
Golden Plover 40
Purple Sandpiper 1
Snipe 6
Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit 1
Turnstone 8
Black-headed Gull 4
Stock Dove 1
Skylark 5
Yellow-browed Warbler 1
Willow Warbler 1
Blackcap 5
Song Thrush 12
Redwing 2
Redstart 1 male
Whinchat 1
Wheatear 15
Dunnock 1
Grey Wagtail 1
Meadow Pipit 25
Chaffinch 1
Brambling 8
Greenland Redpoll 1
Reed Bunting 6


Rock Pipit at the harbour
 
 
the old croft at Davey's plot


Willow Warbler in George's garden
 
Point beyond the marsh
 

Stock Dove in off the sea near the marsh
 
 
 
Summit of the North Hill
 
Wheatear in the North Hill geo

Red-breasted Merganser taking shelter in the harbour