Good Night

Record shot of the Nightjar (David Steel)

Over the sea and away (David Steel)

Little Bunting makes day three (David Steel)

No chance of boats at our jetties (David Steel)

Wednesday 2nd October comments: September and October are the peak months for bird migration and the east coast can experience some exceptional days if the weather is ‘right’. However it takes a combination of easterly winds and rain to produce those perfect conditions.

Over the last few days we’ve had strong (gale force) south-easterly winds although sunny conditions, so not everything was perfect but we’ve had some great birds from two Little Buntings to a Richard’ Pipit.

However this afternoon the islands produced another bit of magic as a Nightjar was discovered on Brownsman. The bird was flushed from close range and was seen hovering in the strong winds giving great views before eventually departing west towards the mainland.

This migratory healthland dweller remains a rare discovery on passage and this was only the third record on the islands in thirty years!! The islands total has now reached ten and this represented the first ever autumn record.

As well as this stunning sighting, the Little Bunting remained for its third day and the Mealy Redpoll also did likewise. With more easterly winds forecast, we are not finished yet…not by any stretch. So for today, it’s good-Night from the Farnes!