A wet and windy morning with the worst of the rain clearing early afternoon. The Barred Warbler was still in our garden and was joined by a Garden Warbler and a Blackcap. A walk around Norwick added a Common Rosefinch.
Skaw: Knot, Snipe, Lesser Whitethroat & Garden Warbler.
The Barred Warbler popped out of roost in our garden at 6.40am but there was no sign of any other passerine migrants. For a change I therefore headed to East Hill and tried seawatching seeing 51 Sooty Shearwaters, an Arctic Skua and a Puffin fly north in just under 2 hours. There was plenty of Dolphin activity and a single Minke Whale with the latter seen thanks to Robbie. Late afternoon 2 Grey Herons arrived in off the sea over our house.
Haroldswick: 30 Common Snipe, 2 Wheatear & 2 Common Crossbill.
With the combination of clear skies and the arrival of a cold front overnight I was anticipating a much overdue clear-out of lingering migrants, so it was quite a surprise to draw back the curtains to see the Barred Warbler again leaving its roost - its 13th day in our garden! A walk around Norwick produced my first 2 Goldcrests of the Autumn.
A/the Barred Warbler put in a(nother) brief late afternoon appearance in our garden.
I spent most of the day on mainland where seeing a couple of Merlins was as good as it got! On returning home to Unst the long-staying Little Egret was alongside the Loch of Snarravoe and a quick look at Norwick produced a Tree Pipit.
Loch of Snarravoe: Little Egret.
Brenda saw the Great Spotted Woodpecker make an appearance in our garden - a garden tick!
Norwick: Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Rosefinch & 3 Common Crossbills.
NorthDale: Merlin, Snipe, Barred Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler & 5 Redpoll.
Burrafirth: Common Whitethroat & Willow Warbler.
