Friday 1 October 2010

Fair Isle - Day 5

Another day of quantity rather than quality. Morning birding was much better than the afternoon, as strengthening winds and lashing rain made birding nigh on impossible. The group still managed to see some interesting species during the day though, non less so than this Bluethroat which was trapped during the morning:


Bluethroat
During the afternoon the group headed up to the north end of the island, where many tired migrants were sheltering from the gale force winds battering the south-east of the island. Although the wind was still strong, good numbers of migrants were taking advantage of the relative shelter at the top end of the island. All in all, the group recorded:
Song Thrush - 157, Blackcap - 3, Robin - 4, Goldcrest - 8, Chaffinch - 35, Redwing - 42, Siskin - 124, Jack Snipe - 4, Skylark - 84, Reed Bunting - 6, Snipe - 11, Golden Plover - 7, Buff-breasted Sandpiper - 1juv, Pied Wagtail - 2, White Wagtail - 1, Whinchat - 3, Lapwing - 4, Little Bunting - 1, Yellow-browed Warbler - 2, Willow Warbler - 2, Fieldfare - 2, Wheatear - 5, Redstart - 1, Pied Flycatcher - 1, Swallow - 4, Brambling - 197, Lesser Whitethroat - 1, Chiffchaff -3, Hen Harrier - 1juv, Woodcock - 1, Ring Ousel - 7, Snow Bunting - 26, Long-tailed Duck - 1, Arctic Redpoll - 1.


Hopefully with winds dropping tomorrow we will be able to get off the island tomorrow as our aeroplane was cancelled this afternoon. If not I'm sure the group will find plenty to do and as many of the team keep reminding me - "there's plenty of worse places to be stranded in October!"

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