16th–31st October
The weather forces did their utmost to hide the birds in this period also. The Radde´s Warbler stayed put until the 23rd, a surprisingly long stay, but mostly seen very briefly.
Other stayers were a Red-breasted Flycatcher until the 16th, while the Bluethroat was at the dump until the 18th.
One Manx Shearwater, one Sooty Shearwater and one Great Northern Loon plus two Great Skuas and an Atlantic Puffin passed the seawatch point of Pedleneset on the 18th. A Hawfinch on the 19th.
A Grey Plover flew over on the 20th. A Yellow Wagtail on the 22nd was kind of late. Three Eurasian Woodcocks were trapped and ringed on the 22nd.
At least some good arrived in the bad weather, in the shape of a Red Phalarope (Geir Mobakken) foraging in a bay west of Pedleneset on the 24th. There is just one accepted record of this species on Utsira. Next day, the phalarope was joined by a Little Gull.
Two Yellow-billed Loons flew over near Pedleneset on the 25th. The same day gave a Velvet Scoter. Late birds included Sanderling (one on 24th) and Yellow-browed Warbler (two on 28th). Two to three Northern Wheatears were also at large these days.
A young female Northern Goshawk that did not see the net made for a substantial catch on the 27th. Meanwhile, Rough-legged Buzzard was seen until the 24th.
Up to three Black Redstarts have been present, while Wood Lark, Grey Wagtail and Great Grey Shrike also have been seen intermittently. A new or the same Little Gull was seen from a boat in the north on the 28th.
Towards the end of the period under review Two-barred Crossbill appeared on the 29th and up to 150 Red Crossbills were also on the move.
The Red-flanked Bluetail was found trapped on the 30th by Jostein Austevik and Nigel Goodgame.
October´s last day held a flock of eight Long-tailed Tits, another addition to Utsira´s year-list, a list that is starting to shape.
Nigel Goodgame has stayed on Utsira and ringed birds for two months this autumn, and now he enjoys his last days here. He has done a great job, thanks Nigel!
