53 species day

 We decided as the weather was a bit up and down, to have a listing day. We started at Sandness getting Turnstone, Shag, Greylag, Cormorant, Gannet, Long tailed duck, Starling,

 Blackbird, Redwing, Magpie, Wren, Common Gull, Black backed Gull, Kittiwake, Great Northern Diver, Rock Pipit, Raven, Meadow Pipit, Whooper Swan, Wigeon

Mute Swan

Mallard, Hooded Crow, Rock Dove and Lapwing. 

Then we drove East and went on the new road through Kergord where we had  Grey Wagtail, 

Robin, Brambling, Wood Pigeon and Rook. Then it was to Wadbister Voe to see if by any chance, the White winged Scoter was still there. It wasnt, but we saw Mergansers and Eider.

Turning South to town, the harbour got checked and we added Black Guillimot, Twite and Herring Gull. After buying a few bits of lunch we stopped at Sound.

Sound was very busy. Have never seen so many blackbirds. Jill had over 300 in one Cotoneaster!

There was also a big flock of Siskins

Collared Dove

Fieldfare

And a single Redpoll.

 

One of our favourite spots is Leebitton as it is good for waders. We added Redshank and Purple Sandpiper.

Also in the same area we had Chaffinch, Goldcrest and 3 Song Thrushes.

We thought we would have a quick look for yesterday's Buff Bellied Pipit; but didn't find it. Lots of house Sparrows though.

Spiggie gave us Tufted Duck and Goldeneye

Further along the shore was a Little Egret. Not that common here.

Managed to squeeze in Virkie before the light went. Black tailed Godwit, Bar tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Curlew, and a Pale Bellied Brent Goose 

There were lots of Redwing around South Dunrossness too.