Wave Goodby

Hunted in the morning for a Citrene Wagtail that had been around for a few days, but even with local knowledge,could not track down.
Early after noon and a number of birds came out, including this Red Flanked Bluetail at Geoster.
A tricky critter,only obtaining a single image i was happy with.
But loads of other common migrants .























This Pied Flycatcher in some great light,and the characteristic flick of the wings.

Buff-belied Pipit-second time around

Yesterday 6th October 2010
Visited the Buff-Bellied Pipit site at Eshaness.Only waited two hours this time before the Pipit turned up. later in the afternoon, a few images in the garden.

Shetland Wren

Chiffchaff

British Wildlife Photography Awards

I have recently been notified that one of my images has been selected for the British Wildlife Photography Awards.

A book, by AA publishing is due out this week, that includes all the winning images.

The image taken last year in Shetland , depicting Arctic Tern's against the setting sun, and was chosen as one of the best submissions in the competition.

The image was also one of thirty images that have been chosen to be sold as limited edition framed Lambda prints in the Hoopers Gallery, London.

I have agreed to make a donation to the WWF for each print sale.

This follows my other success earlier this year in the

British Birds Photograph of the Year competition.

The Book can be purchased from Amazon Here

Milky Tea

The morning started with a check on our Horses, a Pallass's Grasshopper Warbler had been found yesterday at the bottom of the field. All was well,but i had no intention of following 40 + around a iris bed , so I headed for Sumbrugh to relocate the Radde's Warbler at Sumbrugh.I soon found the bird in a nettle patch.These birds are intent on groveling around on the floor in the undergrowth, I just wanted it perched up.With patience it eventually obliged.

On the way back home ,called in at Channerwick to try for the Sykes Warbler.
No images obtained of this bouncing milky tea bird.
But witnessed two Rapters coming down the valley. A Merlin mobbing a Sparrowhawk, plus an obliging Dunlin.

Dunlin

Common migrants

Its not just the scarce or rare migrants that pass through Shetland.
The Levenwick Swainsons Thrush found late yesterday afternoon, was still residents in a large garden. A 2 hour wait produced fleeting views.
Then back to the garden for the common migrants. Like this Pied Flycatcher, the third Flycatcher species photographed this week.
Also these spanking Brambling.

Big Birds

1st October Warbler day
The Booted warbler found at Quendale gave slightly better views,but was still rather wary.

Then Radde,s Warbler came out at Sumbrugh Quarry.

















Radde's Warbler









Brambling,

Sumbrugh

Bluethroat Sumbrugh Quarry

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.