Another day spent birding with Pete with us trying to visit as many sites as possible before the onset of forecast heavy rain. NorthDale held a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Common Rosefinch. Skaw failed to deliver a single migrant but Norwick had retained its Wood Warbler and 2 Willow Warblers. Burrafirth and Haroldswick both proved very quiet and then the heavy rain commenced. We headed for Baltasound hoping it might be drier there, but if anything, the rain was heavier. A look at the School clump from the car revealed the continued presence of the Pied Flycatcher. We decided to head for home but thought the houb might be worth a look just in case the rain had grounded any Waders. As we drew up there was a small flock of c.10 Knot, and whilst I looked through them, Pete exclaimed 'Yellowlegs!'. I scanned to the left and sure enough, there was a Lesser Yellowlegs. With the advancing tide pushing off the Knot we left to tell Brydon, Mike & Robbie but were soon back at the houb and thankfully the Lesser Yellowlegs was still in situ. It flew off to the fields at Buness where we also saw a Ruff but it was back on the houb late afternoon. Re-enthused we headed south finding 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Westing and a Willow Warbler at Lund.
Lesser Yellowlegs on the houb, Baltasound
