10th and 11th November

Strong westerly winds again on the 10^th bringing with it a few hails showers but there were some nice bright spells in between; the day’s highlight was a confiding Grey Phalarope just off the pier at Bewan – our first of the year!   Other good birds included a juvenile Iceland Gull on The Links, a Black Redstart at Nouster Pier and a high count of 530 Wigeon across the island.

                Also of note through the day were 3 Red-throated Divers, a Great-northern Diver, 2 Herons, a single Whooper Swan on Brides, the ringtail Hen Harrier, 149 Purple Sandpipers, 29 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Robins, 41 Redwings, single Fieldfare and Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaffs still and 24 Snow Buntings.

                Stronger winds on the 11^th with more north in the direction and a few more rain showers, not much time was spent out in the field but birds around the south of the island included the Black Redstart again, a Whooper Swan on the beach in Nouster, 3 Pintail on Gretchen, a single Knot with 260 Golden Plover in Loch Park, 2 Robins, 18 Redwings, 7 Twite and 4 Snow Buntings.

Grey Phalarope,   Simon Davies