7th November

A fantastic day today with a record breaking count of 84 woodcock, and good numbers of thrushes which consisted 221 fieldfare, 156 blackbird, 3 song thrush and 166 redwing. A taiga bean goose flew south along the west coast, 2 black redstart and a chaffinch were new in the north, as was a stonechat at Kirbest. A waxwing was at the Kirk, the blackcap was still at the Observatory and other small migrants included 6 chiffchaff, 17 goldcrest, 16 robin and 4 common redpoll. The bird of the day came in the afternoon when a HUME'S LEAF WARBLER was found at Bridesness - 1st North Ronaldsay record. Despite giving something of a chase the bird finally settled, calling frequently for good measure. Also at Bridesness were singles of short and long-eared owl, whilst the canada goose and 12 barnacle geese were nearby at Greenwall. Another feature of today were large gulls, with flocks by the lighthouse and on the Links consisting of 711 herring gulls and 185 great black-backed gulls.