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.

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

Eye of the Taiga (Fly Stalone)

What a week!

The news of a Taiga Flycatcher in Shetland,being just the third for Britain.

Started a journey at 4am, for the "red eye" ferry.

The sky was clear and the wind had dropped overnight. My thoughts-the bird had gone.

But waiting for the second ferry of the morning, a text came through,the bird was still on Fetlar.

Taiga Flycatcher

On the way back through Yell, a derelict house and overgrown garden was the temporary home for a Arctic Warbler

Shetland Wren

Meanwhie back at the ranch a Yellow Browed still performed for the crowds

Autumn migration in 1/8th swing

Rock Pipit

Wheatear

Pink footed Geese

Greenshank on Burra

Yellow Browed Warbler,still puts on a show,dispite the gales and lots of Birders.

So Far this week

Yellow Browed Warbler

The Garden Turned up a Willow Warbler first thing in the morning,that in its self was nice, as the lack of migrants due to the Westerly winds makes anything seem special.
Then later in the day I heard the distinctive call of one of my favourite birds
Yellow Browed Warbler. But then it made it even more special , as I obtained a shot I had been after for years , but happens so quickly, hovering underneath a leaf.

Willow Warbler

4 Pied Wagtails came to roost in the garden.

Booted Warbler typical Hippo

A Booted Warbler at Channerwick yesterday, South mainland ,Shetland.

Probably only a mile or so from home (as the crow).

A typical Hoppolais,skulky and elusive.

Managed a couple of shots.