Seal pup on Brownsman (David Andrews)

Cow seal basking in the sun on Brownsman (David Andrews)

Wednesday 27th October comments: It’s been another difficult period as the weather continues to play havoc with daily life on the islands. In recent weeks, we’ve hardly seen the mainland and today brought yet more strong winds (from the west) although thankfully the forecast is set to improve over the forthcoming days.

On the Seal colonies, everything is well and we’ve now reached 200 pups with plenty more to come. On the bird migration front, there are huge numbers of Waxwings arriving in the country from Scandinavia, with huge numbers seen (c4,000 in Scotland alone yesterday). Its one of the largest and earliest invasions on record and we’ve had a few in recent days as they move west too the mainland.

Recent Highlights :

Wed 27th Oct: Little Auk 185N, Grey Phalarope one on the sea in Staple Sound, Jack Snipe, Iceland Gull first winter over Knoxes Reef, Merlin, Peregrine 2, Sparrowhawk

Tues 26th Oct: Waxwing 16 west during the day, Woodcock 6

Sun 24th Oct: Little Auks 142N