With a cold northerly blowing it felt very wintry today so I headed for Lamba Ness from where I sea-watched for 70 minutes until the onset of more organised rain reduced the visibility.
With the wind back in the north for the first time in 10 days it was no real surprise that a departure of lingering Thrushes and Finches had taken place. It was therefore surprising that the Pallas's Warbler was still in residence at Norwick and showing nicely on the beach at times today. At dusk from our garden it was nice to see more Redwings taking to the air, climbing ever higher in the skies heading south, calling as they went... bon voyage!
Holsens road: 2 Water Rail, 4 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, Blackcap & 6 Snow Bunting.
Lamba Ness: Woodcock.
Skaw: Purple Sandpiper, Robin & 20 Brambling.
Norwick: Long-tailed Duck, Water Rail, 3 Woodcock, c.10 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, Pallas's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Yellowhammer, Siskin, 2 Chaffinches & 10 Brambling.
After an overnight easterly airflow I felt quite optimistic for today but in fact there seemed very little newly-arrived with the highlight provided by the continued presence of the Pallas's Warbler. We took a long walk around Haroldswick checking the grassy fields but there was again no sign of the Upland Sandpiper.
Millfield: Robin, Goldcrest & Siskin.
Norwick: Woodcock, Skylark, Robin, 2 Song Thrush, c.30 Redwing, Fieldfare, 2 Blackcap, Pallas's Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Siskin, 2 Chaffinches & 20 Brambling.
Haroldswick: c.50 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff & Goldcrest.
Skaw: c.50 Brambling.
With what felt like the first decent southeasterly airflow overnight my hopes were high and I wasn't disappointed as I found a Pallas's Warbler in Andrew's garden at Norwick beach that I subsequently encountered again at Valyie. There were also Thrushes and Finches again overflying and/or dropping in throughout the morning. The Common Redstart and a Willow Warbler were again seen so might stay into November now...
Millfield: Robin, Redwing, 2 Blackcaps, Mealy Redpoll & 3 Brambling.
Norwick: Water Rail, Woodcock, Robin, Common Redstart, Song Thrush, c.50 Redwings, 4 Blackcap, Pallas's Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, Chiffchaff, 9 Siskin & 5 Chaffinches.
Skaw: Long-tailed Duck, Robin & Fieldfare.
NorthDale: Barnacle Goose, Robin, Fieldfare, c. 10 Redwing, Willow Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest & Reed Bunting.
Burrafirth: Robin & Blackcap.
A walk around Norwick revealed the presence of another wave of Redwings and mix of a few new migrants and a few lingerers. I also completed my SOETAG beached bird survey and we then decided to make our way to Burrafirth to survey the beach there. As we drove through Haroldswick an Upland Sandpiper flew across the road in front of us and disappeared as it landed in long grass in a roadside field!! It soon flew to a short grass field and began actively feeding. Robbie, Adrian and a visiting couple soon arrived and all enjoyed views. We then continued to Burrafirth to complete the beach survey before returning to Haroldswick meeting Phil, Becca, Ayda, Deryk, Glen and Will there with the Upland Sandpiper touring the fields until dusk.
Millfield: Blackcap, Mealy Redpoll & Brambling.
Norwick: 2 Woodcock, Common Redstart, Robin, 30 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Siskin, 3 Chaffinches & 10 Brambling.
Haroldswick: Upland Sandpiper.
A heavily overcast day but almost calm with rain arriving lunchtime for a few hours before clearing through. After seeing a familiar line-up of species for most of the day it was a surprise when Brenda found a Northern Willow Warbler in our garden just prior to dusk.
Millfield: c.12 Redwings, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Mealy Redpoll.
Norwick: c.60 Common Snipe, 3 Robins, Blackcap, Siberian Chiffchaff, Chiffchaff, 3 Siskins, 2 Chaffinches, 6 Brambling & Yellowhammer.
Haroldswick: Chiffchaff & 8 Brambling.
Light winds made for pleasant birding again.
Millfield: 15 Redwing, Blackcap, 2 Common Redpolls & 3 Brambling.
Skaw: 3 Long-tailed Duck, Common Redpoll & 2 Brambling.
Holsens road: 10 Redwing & 6 Brambling.
Norwick: 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Siskin, Common Redpoll, 5 Chaffinches & 25 Brambling.
NorthDale: Robin, Fieldfare, 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs & Willow Warbler.
