17th December 2024 – overcast/rain by evening SSE2/3
Offshore
The sea provided 39 Shag, 34 Common Scoter, 22 Red-throated Diver and 16 Great Crested Grebe.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 400 light-bellied birds, also seen were 1,108 Wigeon, 899 Teal, 195 Shelduck, 119 Pintail, 11 Shoveler and a Goosander. Waders included 5,436 Oystercatcher, 3,364 Knot, 735 Redshank, 851 Lapwing, 1,000 Dunlin, 592 Curlew, 500 Golden Plover, 157 Turnstone, 142 Grey Plover, 122 Sanderling and 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and birds of prey included 3 Barn Owl and single Merlin and Peregrine.
16th December 2024 – overcast/drizzle at times W3/5
Offshore
The sea provided 39 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 10 Twite were logged.
14th December 2024 – overcast/drizzle at times W3/5
Rarities
A Lesser Whitethroat trapped and ringed on 1st November 2024 has been positively identified as a Siberian Lesser Whitethroat through DNA analysis – thanks to Professor Martin Collison and his team at Aberdeen University.
13th December 2024 – overcast/calm
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 8 Song Thrush and 4 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 300 Pink-footed Goose and a Grey Wagtail flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 2 Water Rail squealed. At least 3 Barn Owl and 3 Short-eared Owl continue to hunt the island.
12th December 2024 – overcast/calm
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 60 Pink-footed Goose flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Purple Sandpiper was seen.
Miscellaneous
There are now 4 Cetti’s Warbler on the island and another Chiffchaff was seen.
11th December 2024 – overcast NE1
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 7500 Eider, 220 Common Scoter, 39 Shag, 27 Red-throated Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Red-breasted Merganser.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Shoveler were seen.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 30 Twite remain.
10th December 2024 – sunny spells NE1/2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 15 Shag and 3 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 10 Redwing.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 60 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Stock Dove and a Siskin flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Six Woodcock were noted.
Miscellaneous
A Marsh Harrier hunted Teal, the Hooded Crow remains, four Water Rail were logged along with three Cetti’s Warbler and three Barn Owl.
9th December 2024 – sunny spells NE2/3
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 14 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shag and 4 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Fieldfare.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Woodcock were seen.
Miscellaneous
The island’s “woodland” held a wintering Chiffchaff, along with 4 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Bullfinch and a Jay.
8th December 2024 – sunny spells N5/7
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 5 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare and a single Song Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 92 Canada Goose and 4 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
At least 4 Barn Owl continue to hunt the island.
