The southeasterlies continue and overnight were combined with a splash of rain that had cleared before dawn. Skaw and NorthDale didn't hold too many more migrants than in recent days but Norwick proved busier and as I climbed the burn at Valyie I obtained distant views of a wing-barred Phyllosc hopping around on the ground in a small quarry... I quickly clambered up the hill and it showed briefly when I managed a few images before it flew further up the ravine and out of sight. It looked a Greenish - clean ear-coverts and underparts, dark legs and feet but it was difficult to assess its size when on the ground, so it was very reassuring that JFC concurred with the identification based on my single presentable image. I then saw it overfly me and land in the sycamores down the burn where I soon obtained better views and heard it calling. By the time I walked home it had commenced raining but Dante was keen to team-up and see if we could find an Arctic Warbler... both donned in leaking waterproofs we headed for Burrafirth where the rain seemed to be grounding plenty of migrants frenetically flying around the available cover. Just as the light was fading, a Phyllosc flew from a few roadside thistles in front of us, across the road, and there we were staring at exactly the species we'd been hoping for!! Brilliant! Robbie soon joined us and we were treated to views of it hopping around on the road and it even giving a few calls. The second time I've been fortunate enough to find both Greenish and Arctic Warbler on the same day!
Skaw: Grey Wagtail, 3 Whinchat, Red-backed Shrike, Willow Warbler & 3 Siskin.
Holsens road: 2 Willow Warblers.
NorthDale: Redstart, Garden Warbler & Willow Warbler.
Norwick: 2 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Greenish Warbler, 7 Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher & 4 Pied Flycatchers.
Burrafirth: Kestrel, Tree Pipit, 2 Stonechats, 2 Whinchats, 5 Redstarts, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Garden Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, Arctic Warbler, 11 Willow Warblers, Pied Flycatcher & 4 Siskin.
Greenish Warbler at Valyie
Arctic Warbler near the Shore Station, Burrafirth
