Spotted Sandpiper

12th October 2009
















This morning decided to catch up with a Spotted Sandpiper, near Queldale that had been found yesterday.
The bird was said to be difficult to locate,due its tendency to feed under the overhanging banks of the Burns.
Having walked the two interlinking Burns twice, a little dispondent,but decided to check the beach at the end of the main Burn.
Walking down onto the beach, nothing moving,then suddenly a Sandpiper flew from the far corner and on to some distant rocks, then around the cliffs to an adjacent bay.
That was the bird, but would it return?
The contrasty sea weed proved a contrasty problem.
But eventualy manged some images I was pleased with

In the afternoon went for a reported

Lancelated Warbler, again at Quendale.

No look , but did photograph this Greenfinch, a scarce migrant in Shetland.

My prayers answered (What a day)

11th October 2009

The morning of the 11th October was a real contrast to the end of yesterday.
The sun shone and the wind was light, just as i had hoped, but was the Bonellis Warbler still around?
Well that and more.
On arrival at the small copse in the Maywick valley,the trees full of life.
The Bonnelis was still around,feeding on the sunny side of the copse,together with a host of other warblers.Goldcrest,Yellow Browed Warbler,Chiichaff,Willow Warbler,Lesser
whitethrought,Blackcap.
This was the most migrants we had seen all year, with the common migrants being very thin on the ground, due to the wind directions being in the wrong direction,most of the autumn.
















Western Bonellis Warbler















Goldcrest















Western Bonellis Warbler


















Western Bonellis Warbler















Western Bonellis Warbler






















Western Bonnellis Warbler















Western Bonellis Warbler






















Western Bonellis Warbler

During the morning I hardly gave any thought too what could be around the rest of the island.
But on leaving the valley,the mobile gave its distinctive rattle and roll,one after the other.
Pechora,Little Bunting,Arctic Redpoll,Lancy,OBP,Arctic Warbler,Spotted Sandpiper,
Blyths Reed Warbler - Hoswick- HOSWICK,ITS PROBABLY IN MY GARDEN.
and so it was. The best views had been and gone , but I managed a few moments over the next two hours.
Then by late afternoon,headed off to Sumbrugh Farm,and relocated this fine Little Bunting.

What a day.
















Little Bunting















Little Bunting















Little Bunting

10th October 2009

The morning was dull and windy, but with a few migrants at my local patch,I was hopefull of some thing more. Hugh Harrop found a Western Bonellis Warbler at his local patch in the Maywick Valley.
Still windy,wet and dark the active warbler proved a real challange.
Im just hoping it stays to be viewed in better conditions

Locus Pocus

9th October 2009

The news of a Lancelated Warbler at Toab,south shetland mainland. However the usual Locustela brief views did not tell the true story, the photographic evidence, sadly proved it was just a Grasshopper Warbler. Non the less still a good find for Shetland.

Two Arctic warbler's in one tree !

8th October 2009 Checked to find the Arctic Redpoll was still at Aith,I would like to thank Jim for finding this bird and allowing me to capture this image of a falling snow flake.

8 October 2009
Russ Haywood an excellent Shetland birder found a Arctic Warbler in Wester Quarf, then a few days later, two birds.
I was well pleased to experience the same two birds in the same tree.

Arctic Warbler

Arctic Warbler Lesser Whitethrought

Blackcap

Arctic Duo - 7th October 2009

7th October 2009

Bumped in to Dave Hall this morning,an old friend I had not seen in a while.
We headed for the Arctic Duo, Warbler and Redpoll.
The Arctic Redpoll showed as well as ever, but the Arctic Warbler showed,but well under cover.
However with patience,eventualy got the shot.
While at the warbler Russ haywood had found a Yellow browed Warbler,the most elusive ive known of this species,due to the local feline. Arctic Warbler

Arctic Warbler

Yellow Browed Warbler

Yellow Browed Warbler

Arctic Redpoll (or is it a snow flake)

Arctic Redpoll

7th October

More Arctic Redpoll - 6th October 2009

6th October 2009
The Aith Arctic Redpoll continued to feed in the same stuble field

Brambling

6th October