Pine Grosbeak (Photo: Atle Grimsby)16th–31st October

Some late occurring birds in the beginning of the period were Eurasian Oystercatcher (on the 16th), Willow Warbler (21st), Garden Warbler (19th), Spotted Flycatcher (21st), Common Redstart (16th), Northern Wheatear (21st) and Tree Pipit (19th).

Four White-tailed Eagles and two Grey Wagtails on the 17th. Velvet Scoter and Great Northern Loon the next day.

The period´s first national rarity appeared in the shape of a Hume´s Leaf Warbler (Jostein Austevik et al.) found in the net in the ringing forest on the 20th. Its less washed out close relative was also found the same way at the same time. Water Rail and Jack Snipe also this day.

Heavy traffic in the net gates on the 20th with altogether 290 birds, 191 of which were Redwings.

Three Velvet Scoters and autumn´s first Yellowhammer on the 21st.

Hume´s Leaf Warbler (Photo: Eivind Sande)

The 22nd began with a Boreal Owl in the net, and continued with Yellow-browed and Barred Warblers the same place (in addition to 140 Goldcrests). Outwith the ringing forests there were two White-tailed Eagles, one Northern Goshawk, five Northern Ravens, two Coal Tits and ten Bohemian Waxwings; several eastern Chiffchaffs arrived during the day. Towards the evening a Pallas´s Leaf Warbler (Geir Mobakken et al.) showed up in Herberg, the first since 2010.

Pallas´s Leaf Warbler (Photo: Atle Grimsby)Next day again began with a Boreal Owl in the ringing forests, before an Olive-backed Pipit (Øystein B. Nilsen et al.) also lay in the net.

A rare sight indeed when the Boreal Owl, seen on its roost, suddenly wanted a wing stretch and was seen in broad daylight flying from the south to the north ringing forest.

In Herberg, a Grey Wagtail shared a tiny field with a Little Bunting while a Pallas´s Leaf Warbler hovered in the leafage close by.

Another Pallas´s Leaf Warbler (Bjørn Ove Høyland) brightened up at the rubbish tip later in the day.  

Autumn´s, or rather winter´s, first Little Grebe was in the northern harbour from the 24th. From the 28th there were two and then everything was as it should be.

Only two years after last time around, Pine Grosbeaks (Atle Grimsby, Geir Mobakken et al.) appeared on the island. This time not on the magic date of 6th November (see Latest sightings for November 2010), but instead on 27th October. First an adult male had a round in the north, followed by a female type bird found trapped in the southern ringing forest. Three days later at least five birds were roaming. 

Pine Grosbeak (Photo: Eivind Sande)

The theme of locally rare birds continued on the 28th with four Red-necked Grebes (Geir Mobakken) migrating south on the eastern side of the isle. The species has not been seen on Utsira since last century (!).

Utsira´s latest ever Lesser Black-backed Gull was logged on the 29th.

Yet another Olive-backed Pipit (Bjørn Ove Høyland et al.) was seen towards the end of the month, this time mid-isle on the 30th. The Waxwings had increased to some 150 birds. A European Goldfinch was seen.

After staying away from the activity for a while, the House Sparrows came out with the island ferry once more. Four birds flew around and it was not long before they had found the feeders in the south part of the island.

Pine Grosbeak (Photo: Atle Grimsby)

Olive-backed Pipit (Photo: Bjørn Ove Høyland)

Little Bunting (Photo: Atle Grimsby)