A F5 northerly, and overcast conditions with occasional rain, produced a superb day’s birding. Seawatching produced: 230 Red-throated Divers south, a Black-throated Diver south, three Great Northern Divers north (and one south), a Red-necked Grebe south, two Sooty and two Manx Shearwaters north, 11 dark-bellied Brent Geese south (and one north), two Long-tailed Ducks south, six Velvet Scoter south (and four north), a Red-breasted Merganser north, four Grey Phalaropes south, 38 Pomarine Skuas north, a Mediterranean Gull south, 74 Little Gulls south, 1921 Kittiwakes south, 1024 Little Auks north (13 south) and two Short-eared Owls in off the sea, together with an unidentified Asio owl.
However, the best bird was located on the beach at South Landing, where a Citrine Wagtail showed well; only the fourth ever to be found in the UK in November. The Water Pipit remained in the same area, whilst two Long-tailed Ducks, seven Velvet Scoter and Little Auks were present offshore. Elsewhere, a Black Redstart remained on the Outer Head and two Snow and one Lapland Bunting were recorded.
