16th October 2021

 Weather: SE force 3, later NNE 0/1 and SW 1

Before dawn the Barn Owl was hunting and 27 Redwings were calling as they flew over the island. Skylarks passed over again, a couple of dozen or so, and soon 5 Starlings travelled through on their way south.

 
Three Reed Buntings added to the mix, as did 2 Common Snipe which have not featured in the last week or so, and extra Meadow Pipits passing through, also at least 1 new Blackbird and a Goldcrest on the ground. Scarce lately have been finches (excluding Linnets) but a single Chaffinch was here today. A much anticipated Snow Bunting arrived by the light, moved to the rocks near the north end and posed for a few pictures before departing off towards the Point of Ayr.

 Brent numbered 169 on view, Shelduck 288, Little Egrets 11, and Grey Heron 3, while 6 Wigeon were also on the list. Sea watching produced 2 Red-throated Divers, 12 Great Crested Grebes, and 45 Common Scoter. There are over 300 Curlew here now, over 50 Turnstone, 42 Redshank and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.

 Two Kestrels were on the island again and a Raven kept up the recent run of appearances.

Photos SRW