Sunshine throughout, with virtually no wind and temperatures in the region of 12 degrees C. During the seawatch, 11 Eiders flew south and three Velvet Scoters headed north.
A Short-eared Owl was observed at Oceanview. However, the day’s highlight related to a Little Bunting that appeared briefly in a garden on the Outer Head before flying off. Additional passerine interest included 21 Chiffchaffs, 30 Goldcrests and five Lapland Buntings.
Records from Buckton included seven Snipe, a Jack Snipe, two Short-eared Owls and a Coal Tit, the latter less than annual there.
A whole colony count of ‘rafting’ Puffins carried out over the last couple of days located 2868 individuals; as additional birds were on the cliffs this indicates a breeding population exceeding 1500 pairs.
