back to the ranch

After the large number of birds yesterday,today was a contrast,as most seemed to have moved out. after scouring south mainland Shetland, with Great Grey Shrike the only bird of note.
On the way back to the ranch, called in at Channerwick a few common migrants, and this welcome Red Breasted Flycatcher.

My co-operative Dunlin again

Another Duo

Today was very windy gale force 5-6 , then by nightfall increasing to force 8-9,around 75mph.
I had been watching a very elusive Booted Warbler in a crop field, not my idea of fun. So took a walk further to find this Red Breasted Flycatcher,trying to make the best of a bad day,by sheltering at the base of willows in a dense walled garden. Photography was tricky,lowlight,high wind, and a quick moving flycatcher. But this was fun.

This week had Spotted,Pied and Red Breasted Flycatcher in the garden,with the winds being so strong, I only had a chance of this Spotted Flycatcher.

A day between birds

Shetlanders have a saying "a day batween waders", thats not Waders but weathers.
This is what they call a good weather day.
A scattering of good scarce or rare migrants around the islands. But generaly birds are thin on the ground.
Found a Red Breasted Flycatcher in the garden,but pruven very elusive, in the windy conditions.
I settled for this Blackcap at Sumbrugh, that eventually, after carefull stalking,gave in to some good views.
If its good always stick with what youve got.

R B Fly Dip 27th October 2009

27th October 2009
A Red Breasted Flycatcher had been at swinning for well over a week, with one thing and another I had been busy fitting everything in,business,birds,and some essential maintenance back at the ranch.
The bird had shown well for the last two days,so the evening before I decided to set off early the next morning.
Two hours at the site and I had nothing more than House Sparrows and a Robin .
That's how it goes, so they say.
Very close to the location gave a nice group of Whooper Swans.