FAIR ISLE & SHETLAND 6TH - 14TH OCTOBER 2005 TOUR REPORT CELTIC BIRD TOURS

Transcription

1 FAIR ISLE & SHETLAND 6TH - 14TH OCTOBER 2005 TOUR REPORT CELTIC BIRD TOURS

2 TOUR LEADER Neil Donaghy PARTICIPANTS Peter Adams Paddie Adams John Booth Odette Booth Andrew Dodd Fiona Grant 6 TH We arrived at Sumburgh, Shetland bang on time after a very pleasant and smooth flight from Edinburgh. We passed over Fair Isle en route, and also most of Orkney. We soon added Starlings, Wheatears and House Sparrows as our first birds of the tour as we drove from the airport to the famous Sumburgh Hotel. After a brief stop for check in, we assembled in readiness to depart for sites further north on the mainland. Before we had the chance to get into the minibus, Andrew found a Yellow-browed Warbler in the garden. The term garden is used loosely to describe the five stunted sycamores outside the reception area, but the bird showed well as it flitted through and under the bushes. Offshore, several Gannets and Fulmars played in the breeze and small numbers of Redwings, Sky Larks, Wheatears, Starlings and real Rock Doves passed overhead and settled in the stubble field next door. As we drove north, we encountered several Ravens, Hooded Crows and small numbers of Great Skuas patrolling over the roadside hills. Our first stop was the garden of the cottage at Quarff, which held an excellent selection of birds. A Greenish Warbler showed superbly as it flitted through a sycamore feeding actively, while another Yellow-browed warbler showed briefly, but well. A male Blackcap and Goldcrest popped into view, along with a Shetland Wren and a couple of Blackbirds. Also present was a rather skulking Red-breasted Flycatcher, but eventually everyone got onto the bird, which spent a lot of time sheltering behind the leaves in the increasing wind. Next stop was Helendale, where Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Redshank, Turnstones, Mallard and a drake Wigeon and Tufted Duck were present of the small Loch Kickemin. Before long we had our target bird as a European Bee-Eater flew overhead and caught a fly before perching in a dead sycamore in the warm sunshine - superb! At Trondra, we added a breeding plumaged Great Northern Diver, which was close inshore, a few razorbills and a small party of Common Eider, as well as an Atlantic Grey Seal. A grebe that showed briefly was almost certainly a Red-necked Grebe, but we could not refind it in the choppy sea, though an Arctic Tern flew quickly through, and a roadside stop on the way back produced a flock of Greylag geese. Neil, Andrew and Pete took a walk to Sumburgh Harbour upon our return, where a couple of Shag, Ringed Plover and a Rock Pipit were new for the trip. Small numbers of Sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear rounded off a tremendous introduction to birding on Shetland! The evening was spent in Sumburgh Hotel, where we toasted the tour, before bill payment caused utter confusion to the bewildered staff who were trying to deal with the introduction of a new till system that obviously wasn t working properly! We eventually got things sorted out an retired in anticipation of our arrival on Fair Isle tomorrow morning. 7 TH Despite it being a pretty breezy morning and the late arrival of the staff at Tingwall Airport, we arrived on Fair Isle after an uneventful flight. Neil particularly enjoyed it as he was selected to sit up front with the pilot on the seven seater Islander that is used on these trips. It was a once in a lifetime experience and combined with being on Fair Isle, it was hard to get the grin off his face! Once Hollie had met us at the landing strip, transferred us to the observatory, given us the welcome briefing and dished out the tea and biscuits, we set off for our first birding on the island. By now the wind had increased to gale force from the south, so it wasn t easy, but we did well.. Large numbers of Gannets and Fulmars passed offshore, while several Common Eider and Shag sheltered in both North and South Havens. Small numbers of Sky Larks, Meadow Pipits, Turnstones and House Sparrows fed on the grassy banks and a few Wheatears flitted around on the short turf. Two Atlantic Grey Seals, two Pale-bellied Brent Geese and at least six Black Guillemots were in the North Haven and a couple of Common Gulls flew over. Three Redshank and a Greenshank landed near a small cave and while we were checking a large flock of Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls roosting on Buness, Pete found a whitewinged gull, which took a while to identify, but was eventually confirmed as an Iceland Gull. We returned to the observatory for lunch and some respite from the wind, but also to meet up with some of the other residents - there is no set place to sit and the staff sit with the guests, making for an excellent atmosphere with plenty of conversation. The afternoon was spent heading to the south of the island and checking the crofts in what was now a severe gale. Huge numbers of Redwings had arrived, and Starlings and Meadow Pipits were also present in good numbers. A mixed flock of shorebirds included European Golden Plover, Lapwing and Turnstones and a couple of Brambling were seen around Setter. Another mixed flock - this time of geese held large numbers of Greylags and Pink feet, along with three Barnacle Geese, but observation was difficult and we were unable to find the Greenland Whitefront said to be still present. We stopped at the Puffin Hostel for a much needed cuppa and some shelter. A Dunlin was present on the grass opposite with a flock of Turnstones and Redshanks, and more Sky Larks and Wheatears were also here. Three Twite posed briefly on a fence and a further five were later seen in Bull s Park; an area of cabbages planted by the observatory especially to hold birds. We broke our raptor duck with a female Kestrel and a drake Tufted Duck dropped into a small stream. Up to ten Common Snipe were seen at various points and a Far Isle Wren showed briefly in a stone wall. The day ended well with good, if brief views of a female Lapland Bunting firstly in a field and then sat on the road, where it sat calling, before flying back into the field.

3 8 TH The day began wet and got wetter, but thankfully, the wind had died away to virtually nothing, leaving us hopeful of a fall of birds in such favourable conditions. We decided to walk south again despite the torrential rain. Good numbers of Common Snipe were in the Gilsetter mire and around the Double Dyke, and we also flushed four Jack Snipe from this area, as well as several hundred Redwings and a couple of Redshank. A party of three Common Teal and a Eurasian Wigeon flew overhead, going south and later the numbers of these ducks were reversed as others appeared. A Rock Dove flew out towards the sea and the Golden Plover flock remained in the Chalet area. A walk through Bull s Park produced several drenched Twite, along with our first Chaffinches and Siskin. We also had excellent views of five Lapland Buntings including a splendid male that perched on the stone wall. A flock of 27 Lapwings came in off the sea from the south west and small numbers of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Sky larks were noted as we walked down to the shop. We bought postcards and dripped all over the floor for five minutes, before heading back outside, where we immediately saw a Snow Bunting perched on a pile of rubble before it flew off east, calling. The walk back was uneventful until we reached the double dyke heligoland traps. A few more Common and a single Jack Snipe came up as we trudged through the sodden Gilsetter. A cry from Fiona, who had sensibly taken the road option, saw Neil and Andrew investigate the heligoland trap, as we thought she had called warbler. Our surprise was total and complete as we watched a Corncrake scramble around the wall and between it and the trap before it flew off onto the heather on the hill above. Thankfully, Pete and John heard our call and managed to get the bird in flight as it flew away. We managed to relocate it briefly, but despite extensive searching by others in the afternoon, it was never seen again - shame.. Another Snow Bunting flew over as we arrive d back at the obs for lunch; soaked through, but happy! Unbelievably, the afternoon was gloriously sunny! A female Blackcap flitted around the obs garden as we set off after lunch to the north of the island. More large numbers of Gannets and Fulmars were noted and some very impressive numbers of Redwings were feeding on the heather covered hills. Several Blackbirds were present and up to 50 Song Thrushes were also with them. We had excellent views of a male Snow Bunting that flew over our heads, calling loudly and a House Martin was near the North Lighthouse and a female Wigeon was on the tiny Easter Lother Water. Following a quick coffee stop, Neil, Pete and Andrew decided to head south again to look for a Bluethroat at Setter, while the others sensibly stayed behind! Unfortunately, we couldn t hear those shouting to us, while watching the bird away from its favoured spot and it was never seen again. A further two Jack Snipe, vast numbers of Redwings and a flock of nine Brambling including some beautifully marked males were the highlights here, along with a small flock of showy Twite. We rounded off our first full day with a male Blackcap in The Plantation, a Kestrel flew over and a few Great Skuas overhead. Following dinner, Deryk, the warden released a European Storm Petrel that had been found wrecked by the South Lighthouse earlier in the day. Later on a cold, clear evening, we were treated to an amazing sky with Mars clearly visible, a clear Milky Way and occasional bursts of the Aurora Borealis - a magical experience! 9 TH A sunny, but cool and breezy start to the day saw Neil, Pete and Andrew on a pre-breakfast walk down to The Gulley, where up to five Wheatears, six Great Skuas, a couple of Robins and more Redwings, while during breakfast a Dunnock was in the observatory garden. The walk to Setter again failed to produce the Bluethroat and it now seems that this bird has departed overnight. However, good numbers of Golden Plover, Redwings and Sky Larks were again present and seven Pink-footed Geese came in to land, along with four Teal and a few small skeins of Greylags. Six Snow Buntings were noted and two Lapland Buntings included a male posing again on a wall. Siskin, Chaffinches and Twite were in the cabbage patch at Bull s Park, a Song Thrush flew over and a few Ravens and Great Skuas patrolled the skies. A Lapwing flock consisting of 20 or so birds was seen coming in off the sea from the south and a walk to the airfield produced some good numbers of Turnstones and Golden Plovers, as well as a few Pied Wagtails passing over. A beautifully marked Grey Wagtail was a trip tick and a Peregrine stooping over the north west side of the island and then low over the airfield was also new for the tour. A large roost of Great Black-backed Gulls was noted and a glance over at Buness produced three Cormorants passing south east over the sea. A quick look in The Gulley produced a nervous Redshank and Neil got the briefest glimpse of a Water Rail running through the small plantation. The afternoon began with a quick jaunt to North Haven, where four female Red-breasted Mergansers were resting on the sea and a Black Guillemot and a Razorbill made brief appearances. As we walked towards Hjukni Geo in the south west corner of the island, a Grey Heron came in off the sea and it or another was later seen at the South Lighthouse. By now, the wind was strong, but Hjukni was sheltered and the group [minus Paddie and Odette who decided to do their own thing], enjoyed excellent views of a Red-breasted Flycatcher as it flitted around the cliff, perching openly on a rotting fence post, allowing photographic opportunities for John. A drake Goldeneye flashed passed the South Lighthouse and was seen only by Neil and Pete, large numbers of Gannets and Fulmars were, as ever, present offshore, five Grey Seals were in the harbour and a few Eider rode the surf. Our first tow Hooded Crows on the island were seen flying east as we approached the lighthouse. A small flock of Redshanks and Turnstones at the wader scrapes were joined by 27 Lapwings and a flock of 29 Pinkfeet were in a roadside field. At Utra croft a Yellow-browed Warbler fed amongst some flower beds and a Common Redpoll perched up to show beautifully before flying down into the South Harbour and could not be relocated. Three more Hooded Crows flew over and we received news of a mobile Great Grey Shrike back at the Pund/Chalet/Setter area. As we chatted with the finders, their dogs flushed a couple of Water Rails from dense roadside vegetation to the Chalet Pond, though views were very brief. We got back as far as The Plantation where a Siskin was present when we learned that the shrike had been found again at Pund. A brisk walk back in failing light produced a brief, but acceptable flight view for Neil and Pete and then the rest as it perched distantly on a fence wire. We had just three quarters of an hour to get back for dinner, which we just about managed as the rain started to come down - perfect timing!

4 10 TH After heavy overnight rain and a southerly gale, Neil and Pete took the pre-breakfast walk down to the Havens and were rewarded with an immaculate drake Long-tailed Duck very close inshore. Two Purple Sandpipers were also present on the jetty and the two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were still on the sea. Thankfully, the rain stopped, but it remained very windy, as we set off for the south after breakfast. Once again Paddie and Odette went their own way, and this was the case for the rest of the trip - they enjoyed some more leisurely birding and managed to stay dry most of the time! The wind switched to the south west and it seemed like a lot of birds had moved on, as there were fewer Redwings, Sky Larks and other migrants present. We walked towards Hjukni Geo via Setter, but there was no sign of either the Great Grey Shrike or the Red-breasted Flycatcher this morning. At least 16 Common Snipe were flushed and the usual Ravens, Golden Plovers and Turnstones were noted in that general area. At Hjukni, a few Eiders were close inshore, along with a female Red-breasted Merganser and a sleeping Red-throated Diver, along with a magnificent view and at North Reeva a couple of Rock Pipits and a male Blackcap were present. Thirteen Teal were counted including 11 together and a Grey Heron came in off the sea over South Reeva and a male Brambling showed beautifully at the base of a muddy mound. We decided that the only thing for it was to spend time sea watching as by now the wind was so strong that we could barely stand up! We met up with the ladies at the South Lighthouse, which thankfully offered some shelter and spent an hour or so watching the mountainous seas. Fair Isle is not particularly noted for its sea watching, as there is no land mass to funnel birds into a particular area of the island, and despite the vicious gale, in reality we saw little. As ever, large numbers of Fulmars and Gannets were passing east and small numbers of Shags were also present. Four Great Skuas passed close inshore and single Razorbill, Black Guillemot and an adult Kittiwake were noted briefly before all settled on the sea and were lost to view. We walked to the Puffin Hostel where a hot cuppa and lunch beckoned and the shelter was gratefully received. A couple of Black-headed Gulls were among a party of six Common Gulls in South Harbour and the first part of the afternoon was spent walking the east side of the island, but both Clingers and Swarzi Geos were very quiet, though a party of thirteen Snow Buntings at Busta were very welcome. Heading back inland, a couple of Wheatears, five Hooded Crows, a kestrel and at least 25 Common Snipe were at Barklands. We arrived back at The Plantation where two Blackcaps, a Robin and a Siskin were present, and where we received news of a Stonechat at Boini, so for the second day in succession, Neil, Pete and Andrew headed back south, as Stonechat is quite an uncommon bird on the island. We found the bird quickly and also added our first Reed Bunting at Lower Stoneybreck. Following the long walk back, we returned to North Haven for further views of the Long-tailed Duck, Brent Geese and Seals and we also added a Guillemot to the trip list at South Haven. The shrike was later trapped and released into the observatory garden after being roosted overnight, allowing for excellent in the hand views of this enigmatic species. We enjoyed an excellent social evening in the observatory as Roy Dennis, who was staying on the island, gave very informative and enjoyable slide shows on raptor migration and Winter birding in Japan. 11 TH Following an early alarm call caused by a faulty fire alarm, we got back to bed in what seemed like the early hours of the morning, but was in fact just before midnight! We awoke to heavy rain, but with no wind. We decided to head north, but first the observatory garden had to be checked, and this produced the Great Grey Shrike as well as two Great Skuas overhead and a Wheatear. A further two Wheatear and a Grey Heron were in The Gulley. The walk up the Hill Dyke was taxing in bad weather and was very wet underfoot, and to be honest was pretty birdless other than a Jack Snipe, a couple of Common Snipe, a Wheatear and a couple of hundred Redwings that came in off the sea. The view from Gunnawark was spectacular and produced two Merlins together, along with a Kestrel and four Snow Buntings, plus another Grey Heron and a pair of Barnacle Geese that joined a skein of Greylags and headed out to sea. At Ward Hill; the highest point of the island, five Great Skuas were still present and a Peregrine shot through quickly over the Communication Mast. A flock of 28 Wigeon were on Golden Water Pond and an Arctic Tern and two Wheatear at Furse included an exceptionally pale individual. We were soaked by the time we returned for lunch, but did get a further view of the Great Grey Shrike and several skeins of Greylags arriving from the north. Following lunch, we took a quick look down at The Havens, where four Black Guillemots and the drake Long-tailed Duck were on the north and four Barnacle Geese flew over the south, while another Merlin flew south over the observatory. Four Hooded Crows flew over The Plantation and the two Blackcaps and Robin were still present and at Setter, two Chaffinches and a Pied Wagtail were present. Another Merlin and a Wheatear were at Barklands, while our first Goldcrest of the tour was at Lower Stoneybreck. The Stonechat was seen again, this time at the Shop, and a flock of 26 Snow Buntings flew over giving superb views. Large skeins of geese and Wigeon were seen heading out to sea at Houll and our first Eurasian Curlew disappeared down into the rocks. A Short-eared Owl came in off the sea and headed over Neder Taft croft and the Common Redpoll was again at Utra We continued down to the southernmost part of the island at Skadden, where a Purple Sandpiper was sheltering underneath an overhang, along with two Dunlins, a Guillemot and a large flock of Turnstones. A late Willow Warbler was seen flitting along the tide line and a skein of 27 and then another of 13 Barnacle Geese flew out to sea. Moving back inland, two Reed Buntings were feeding on the track at The Haa croft and our first Whinchat of the tour was also seen at this croft. More skeins of geese included several Pinkfeet and back at The Plantation, the Great Grey Shrike was again present, terrorising the three Goldfinches that had arrived and sparked quite a lot of interest, as a scarce Fair Isle bird. Another Merlin flew over heading north, while a day of impressive wildfowl migration was completed by a pair of trumpeting Whooper Swans flying south east over the island and out to sea. 12 TH Just when we thought that it wouldn t be possible for the weather to throw any further surprises at us this week, we got a gale force northerly wind with accompanying frozen rain at times! This made birding almost impossible and even being out was pretty unpleasant, but as we had already ordered packed lunches, we headed south anyway. During a brief interlude in the rain at North Haven, we enjoyed excellent views of the two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, drake Long-tailed Duck and a female Red-breasted Merganser, but it was very cold! A walk through Gilsetter mire produced a very brief view of a Fieldfare as it flew over east and a Common Snipe, as well as a skein of 23 Pink-footed Geese. The Hill Dyke produced a very brief view of the Great Grey Shrike before it flew out of sight and good numbers of Golden Plovers and Redwings were present. Ten Whooper Swans flew south

5 over Setter and a Merlin was seen briefly before it dropped behind a ridge and out of sight. A Snow Bunting was feeding on a dung heap at Field and another flew over heading east, and a small flock of Lapwings flew north. At Lower Stoneybreck. The Stonechat showed briefly and skeins of 28 Pinkfeet and 72 Barnacle Geese came in from the south east. As we headed to South Harbour it began to rain hard again. A Slavonian Grebe gave very brief views as it drifted offshore and our first Ringed Plovers on Fair Isle fed amongst a large flock of Golden Plovers on Meoness. Two Curlews flew overhead and a steady stream of incoming migrants included Sky Larks, Redwings, Meadow Pipits and five Snow Buntings. A single flock of 23 Common Snipe were joined by four more rising up to meet them as they flew overhead and 75 Turnstones were on the rocks, along with a Purple Sandpiper and 17 Shags. We found a little shelter from the howling wind on the beach and three Brambling dropped in to feed on the tide line and another party of eight Whooper Swans were seen coming in from the south, but pride of place went to the incoming Woodcock that shot straight between us as it came in off the sea. Lunch was taken in the Puffin Hostel, where we lit a fire and stretched it out for as long as we could before going back out. For half an hour or so, there was the merest hint of east in the wind and things began to happen immediately. A first winter Kittiwake was sat on some rocks and three White wagtails and 20 Wheatears were on the beach at Skadden, while two Guillemots, a female Red-breasted Merganser and a small party of Black Guillemots were offshore. Nine Brambling dropped into the crop behind the Puffin Hostel, three Snow Buntings flew over and visible migration of Redwings, Song Thrushes, geese and shorebirds was much in evidence at South Lighthouse. A Tufted Duck flew east, a first winter Common Gull and 11 Pink-footed Geese, along with good numbers of Redshanks and Golden Plovers were around the wader scrapes. Back at Utra, a Goldcrest, three Blackcaps, a Common Redpoll and our first Chiffchaff were in the garden of the croft. We returned to Skadden, a female yellowhammer dropped into the crop, a Merlin dashed through and 24 Snow Buntings, 30 Twite, a Chaffinch and a Dunlin were noted. At Lower Leogh croft, a Whinchat was present, another Merlin and an Oystercatcher flew over and at Neder Taft, a spectacular flock of 35 Brambling including several stunning males dropped in as we passed. At The Haa, a Reed Bunting and two Siskin were seen before we left, as the local cat demolished an unfortunate Meadow Pipit. At Upper Stoneybreck, a Yellow-browed Warbler flitted along the stone wall and skulked in the long grass. Back at Setter, 14 Whooper Swans flew in from the south and then landed on Vaasetter Hill and were joined by a large mixed skein of geese. Finally, we increased the Goldfinch flock to four and a further 15 Brambling were seen flying towards the observatory. 13 TH Another overcast start to the day, but thankfully dry and with a gentle westerly breeze. The pre-breakfast walk to the Havens produced a close inshore Slavonian Grebe, a Razorbill, Guillemot and the two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, but sadly we found the corpse of the drake Long-tailed Duck. Sixteen Whooper Swans flew overhead and a male Brambling and three Blackcaps were in the observatory garden. As we left, two Whooper Swans flew over going north and three Snow Buntings dropped down towards the Havens and a further four Whooper Swans flew over Holmsdale. A further two Blackcaps were in The Gulley and a walk through Gilsetter produced six Common Snipe and a single Jack Snipe. At Setter, 14 Brambling showed at very close range including a full breeding plumaged male, and several flocks of Redwings were around the croft. A walk through Bull s Park produced a few Twite, Sky Larks and Meadow Pipits, as well as flocks of Golden Plover, as well as a mystery passerine that was seen by Neil and Pete for the briefest of views - it was called as a warbler, but not even assigned to a genus, as views were so poor and it was not relocated, but more of that later.. At Pund, we had brief views of two Lapland Buntings, a Jack Snipe and a few skeins of geese, one of which contained a Curlew. At Hoini, 14 Twite perched on a fence and showed well, Pete, John and Andrew saw a Woodcock and approximately 200 Redwings came in off the sea. There were no birds at all at Hjukni, while Upper Stoneybreck produced 11 Pink-footed geese feeding in a field at the back of the croft. Ten Rock Doves were at The School; the largest single flock of the trip, and a Willow Warbler was feeding on a dung heap at the back of Barklands. Close inspection revealed this bird to be of the race yakutensis owing to the very cold colouration noted in the upperparts and very clean white underparts with only a hint of any green or yellow tones in the plumage. We arrived back at the observatory in sunshine and heard news of a Hawfinch that had been trapped earlier in the day. A walk down to the Havens saw Neil relocate this bird perched on top of the heather on the hill above the observatory garden. The bird quickly flew and a Goldcrest was in the garden. During lunch, the Hawfinch returned to the garden and caused a mass desertion of the tables for spectacular views as it fed and perched openly. A second mass desertion was caused by a female type Ring Ouzel that perched on a ringing pole in the garden before flying off towards the Havens, but was not relocated. A walk down after lunch produced further views of the Slavonian Grebe and while walking back to the observatory, the Hawfinch was found in the Heligoland trap and seen in the hand before being released. We walked south and on reaching Bull s Park noticed that all three wardens were walking through the crops very slowly, eyes to the floor. Neil commented that they must either have a Lanceolated or Pallas s Grasshopper Warbler! We stopped and waited and saw a warbler fly onto the stone wall. It was obviously a locustella and at one stage both Neil and Fiona saw it well enough to claim it as a Lanceolated, despite neither having seen one before! The bird then flew into some long grass where it was scoped and the majority of the now gathered crowd suspected it was a Grasshopper warbler, as the throat was unstreaked. The bird then flew back into the cabbages and it was decided to trap it. This took four attempts, but eventually, the bird was caught and pronounced by Warden Deryk Shaw to be a Lanceolated - the relief for Neil & Fiona was tangible and great excitement followed as the bird was taken back to the observatory for processing. The bird was released and spent some time on the window sill of the wardens flat before flying down into the garden - our first BBRC rarity on Fair Isle, and one of the islands Big Five It was a lifer for Neil & Fiona, but the others had all seen one on previous trips. Sadly Odette and Paddie could not be found and the bird had disappeared by the time we found them on the airfield later. We were elated and after spending time with 12 Snow Buntings at the airfield, news of an Olive-backed Pipit broke at Sma trinked Geo in warm sunshine, but no-one could relocate the bird, giving us the highs and lows of birding this fantastic place all in the space of an hour or so. The observatory was a happy place that evening and we enjoyed a superb slide show on Birds of Antarctica and Falklands Islands by Paul Jeffery as our final evening came to a close. We all spent a few pounds in the shop and paid our dues to the tick box before turning in

6 14 TH Our final walk down to the Havens was bathed in sunshine and still, but the only birds of note were the two Palebellied Brent Geese. All too soon it was time to catch our flight back to Mainland and there was a real tinge of sadness as the island disappeared below us. The fight was smooth and Pete got the privilege of sitting up front this time around. We decided to check Trondra again, but no sign of the King Eider. We did pick up and Arctic Tern plus a pair of Long-tailed Ducks and a few Black Guillemots before we departed for the airport and the flight south. We arrived in Edinburgh half an hour early due to the superb flying conditions. Our first Rooks of the trip were noted at the side of the runway as we waited for a bus to take us to the terminal building! We said our farewells as we checked in for our various flights home, except Andrew who lives in Edinburgh who successfully twitched a nearby Paddyfield Warbler! SYTEMATIC LIST 1 Great Northern Diver 2 Red-throated Diver 3 Slavonian Grebe 4 Northern Fulmar 5 European Storm Petrel 6 Northern Gannet 7 Great Cormorant 8 European Shag 9 Grey Heron 10 Whooper Swan 11 Mute Swan 12 Pink-footed Goose 13 Greylag Goose 14 Pale-bellied Brent Goose 15 Barnacle Goose 16 Eurasian Wigeon 17 Mallard 18 Common Teal 19 Tufted Duck 20 Common Eider 21 Long-tailed Duck 22 Common Goldeneye 23 Red-breasted Merganser 24 Common Kestrel 25 Merlin 26 Peregrine 27 Corncrake 28 Water Rail 29 Oystercatcher 30 Ringed Plover 31 European Golden Plover 32 Northern Lapwing 33 Ruddy Turnstone 34 Dunlin 35 Purple Sandpiper 36 Eurasian Curlew 37 Common Redshank 38 Common Greenshank 39 Woodcock 40Common Snipe 41 Jack Snipe 42 Great Skua 43 Black-headed Gull 44 Common Gull 45 Black-legged Kittiwake 46 Herring Gull 47 Great Black-backed Gull 48 Iceland Gull 49 Arctic Tern 50 Common Guillemot 51 Razorbill 52 Black Guillemot 53 Wood Pigeon 54 Rock Dove 55 Collared Dove 56 Short-eared Owl 57 European Bee-eater 58 Sky Lark 59 House Martin 60 Rock Pipit 61 Meadow Pipit 62 Pied Wagtail 63 Grey Wagtail 64 Wren

7 65 Dunnock 66 European Robin 67 Whinchat 68 Stonechat 69 Northern Wheatear 70 Ring Ouzel 71 Blackbird 72 Fieldfare 73 Redwing 74 Song Thrush 75 Lanceolated Warbler 76 Blackcap 77 Willow Warbler 78 Common Chiffchaff 79 Greenish Warbler 80 Yellow-browed Warbler 81 Goldcrest 82 Red-breasted Flycatcher 83 Great Grey Shrike 84 Common Starling 85 Common Raven 86 Hooded Crow 87 Rook 88 House Sparrow 89 Chaffinch 90 Brambling 91 Hawfinch 92 Siskin 93 Goldfinch 94 Common Redpoll 95 Twite 96 Yellowhammer 97 Reed Bunting 98 Lapland Bunting 99 Snow Bunting