Autumn Excitement.

It's not just birds, this Angle Shades is one of several interesting moths trapped recently.

It's pretty hectic here at the moment with some good birding, lots of ringing and a very busy Obs, so sorry for the lack of updates in the last couple of days. I'll keep this post brief as I need to get to bed soon - I'm back on census, bar duties and trap round rotas from tomorrow. I’m feeling well rested and recovered and want to say thanks to everyone who has asked how I am getting on and sent their best wishes (and that's the last time I mention my appendix on the blog!).

Bags of fun: Saturday saw many birds ringed, with Redwings and Blackcaps being caught in numbers both in the Heligolands and the Obs garden.

Some calm weather has brought some good movements of birds, especially on Saturday (with a bit of a clear out on Sunday) and a few more exciting species have turned up.

Over 1000 Redwings were counted on Saturday, an impressive movement.

Saturday sightings: Olive-backed Pipit (found by Will at North Light then relocated to North Restengeo), Blyth’s Reed Warbler (trapped in the evening on the South Haven beach), Citrine Wagtail (the lingering bird, although another circling over Gilsetter may have been a new one), Rose-coloured Starling (the juv at North Light), Melodious Warbler (still at Shirva), Little Bunting, 15 Yellow-browed Warblers, Bluethroat, 2 Barred Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, 62 Blackcap, 5 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Crossbill, 3 Hawfinch and 10 Lapland Buntings.

Yellow-browed Warblers are the commonest Phyllosc on the island at the moment, with another three trapped over the weekend.

Sunday sightings: Citrine Wagtail, Rose-coloured Starling, Melodious Warbler, 2 Little Bunting, Barred Warbler, 10 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Hawfinch and 8 Lapland Buntings.

A Hawfinch was a lucky catch in the Obs garden this morning, dropping into trees next to me when I was on a net round, it was quickly persuaded into the mistnet - what a beast!

Although most folk were excited at seeing Hawfinch in the hand, Grace was a bit worried after I warned her to keep clear of the birds beak in case it bit her (she was possibly also a bit peeved by having her breakfast interrupted!). Maybe I should have warned Becki as well as it gave her a nasty nip! That beak can crush cherry stones, so it hurts when it gets your finger!

October on Fair Isle always brings some Locustella excitement, this one at Da Water turned out to be a Grasshopper Warbler.