Sat 17 Oct – Great Grey Shrike, Little Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler

Today, Saturday 17th October, the Great Grey Shrike was relocated in Millcombe during the morning and showed well all day on the side of the Ugly, feeding mainly on bumblebees, though nearby passerines such as Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Dunnocks were wisely keeping a wary eye on it... This bird was amongst the first to turn up in western Britain from a major influx recorded mainly along the east coast.

The Little Bunting was still present at the western end of Quarter Wall, while a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Lower Millcombe. Thrush numbers were well down, with maybe 100–200 Redwings, 35 Fieldfares and a dozen Song Thrushes. Other species included 6 Reed Buntings, 4 Bramblings, and a Common Gull and a Black-headed Gull (both in the Landing Bay). A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen flying in to the South End, off the sea, late in the afternoon, though whether a new arrival or one of yesterday's birds turning back after leaving the island, was unclear.

Great Grey Shrike on the Ugly. © Tim Davis