Ooby Dooby Ruby

22nd October

So far, all of Fair Isle's Rubythroats have lingered for at least three days. A few folk are hoping to come over tomorrow, so will be hoping this one does the same...

Another good day, with a lot of migrants around (especially thrushes, with counts of 1494 Fieldfare, 1144 Redwing and 598 Blackbird) and increases in Chiffchaff (11), Goldcrest (11) and Robin (27).

No doubting the star bird though: the SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT which was still present and showed rather well at Upper Stoneybrek before moving to Chalet. About half way between its two favoured haunts a Paddyfield Warbler was found (at the Barkland tattie rig). It's the latest Paddyfield Warbler to be recorded on Fair Isle by 6 days (and that bird in 2003 was 10 days later than the second latest) and becomes Fair Isle's 22nd record of this species following the bird in the spring. It also makes it the third BB rarity to be found in the last 3 days, and with a reasonable forecast for tomorrow, maybe there's a chance we can go for four in a row... (of course the 23rd October has seen the arrival of Rufous-tailed Robin and 2 previous Rubythroats, so it's got form!).

Other highlights were mostly lingering birds, with Red-throated Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Richard's Pipit, 2 Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Waxwing amongst the pick of the bunch.