Only the garden - 20th October 2009

20th October 2009
Very windy and as dark as winter.
Office work was the order of the day.
But had to keep checking the garden.

Ortolan Bunting -19th October 2009

19th October 2009
On my local patch,while watching the first winter arrivals of Purple Sandpiper, feeding with Turnstones.

Info came through of a Ortolan Bunting at Virkie Willows.
On arrival as I walked the bank at the side of the trees the bird flew up on to the willows.
Was also observed feeding the banks of the burns.




Ortolan Bunting



Ortolan Bunting

Common or Garden 17th October 2009

17th October 2009
Searching for migrants today down the Ness (south Shetland Mainland)
Only two migrants seen,Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap,both very elusive in the wind.













House Sparrow














House Sparrow

Red Flanked Bluetail 14th October 2009

14th October 2009
A Red Flanked Bluetail had been around, near Voe for a couple of days,but the rain had been so bad yesterday, I decided to leave it until this morning. The bird had a large feeding circuit,and much of its patch was covered in dense vegetation.
Reasonable views obtained,but sometimes the bird disappeared for over 90 minutes before re-appearing.


Red Flanked Bluetail



Red Flanked Bluetail



Red Flanked Bluetail
























Red Flanked Bluetail

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest