tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64916847161444109162024-03-13T22:28:48.336-07:00My Wild Life : Tom HinesTom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-17039540505747105932023-12-31T06:09:00.000-08:002023-12-31T06:09:15.538-08:00Sheffield Late Autumn Megas!<p>Late Autumn saw a great run of relatively rare birds for the Sheffield area.</p><p>A pair of Shags on Crooks Valley Lake:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrYARTvxAw4XBLhCvnVQdWc7DhkXX9aLcAVLi9_t6_ZPjQc9LfqrzMcniDl6DRd4JK-qXmN_iL1J_M7ebN5ZCsUCKNwtwXA1bORCgish-_ljG0RFhLYd8VVqG8Yp7zuJF_HN6IVW3nqPD-LO6boQzJnT9vSF_8CnYUdLkfWvdW05xZeWnIxLWGsILf9xE/s3432/Shag105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2451" data-original-width="3432" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrYARTvxAw4XBLhCvnVQdWc7DhkXX9aLcAVLi9_t6_ZPjQc9LfqrzMcniDl6DRd4JK-qXmN_iL1J_M7ebN5ZCsUCKNwtwXA1bORCgish-_ljG0RFhLYd8VVqG8Yp7zuJF_HN6IVW3nqPD-LO6boQzJnT9vSF_8CnYUdLkfWvdW05xZeWnIxLWGsILf9xE/w640-h458/Shag105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H8-a93b7Vb7_Hth8huxor6SdSYIuH2zesjzRl8NRjWgWf6pxgCH1Eg3tT1MDCG3-qSF13FTA7ygkaVzuYokfAzj8nWnTTBkkEtmkXbTOjiFIFcYdUi8MFPSxSkgUCfoOVOVyEiXpMJ1BoTV11gtLXu4aeD5-hxOCsTC9d31NpxgeceaQkRhTkXuhsZE9/s3933/Shag104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3445" data-original-width="3933" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H8-a93b7Vb7_Hth8huxor6SdSYIuH2zesjzRl8NRjWgWf6pxgCH1Eg3tT1MDCG3-qSF13FTA7ygkaVzuYokfAzj8nWnTTBkkEtmkXbTOjiFIFcYdUi8MFPSxSkgUCfoOVOVyEiXpMJ1BoTV11gtLXu4aeD5-hxOCsTC9d31NpxgeceaQkRhTkXuhsZE9/w640-h560/Shag104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEODV3Z_okCd2iVZWagUUsluKVCSR2jj6IwpEF0guKI6y898IVoqRck4vgxPgVcjz45HIfsN5_n56db0GWp5wPawtPHHxjIY6AyWxbZVqWQvq4ztA01FWSYfR5kePKLVTZ7Cv62zF3g52Gy8MzYbZ_amqVbDj9bqK0tuRM018ofqAyaRSaoLxRccU7-bJr/s2465/Shag106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="2465" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEODV3Z_okCd2iVZWagUUsluKVCSR2jj6IwpEF0guKI6y898IVoqRck4vgxPgVcjz45HIfsN5_n56db0GWp5wPawtPHHxjIY6AyWxbZVqWQvq4ztA01FWSYfR5kePKLVTZ7Cv62zF3g52Gy8MzYbZ_amqVbDj9bqK0tuRM018ofqAyaRSaoLxRccU7-bJr/w640-h512/Shag106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UeGHRgyozxqRW_h8NiTd8kmgufBzsX1cDlm4V58RJ16vFKszSG6qmpKcmrp5NmM2JpThydQQWzMP-_DQe00t-5Rstvb4lZ1Sll2gt7Qi7ts-vSnhXH_O6e4dzGwjMDBoRYR9n9iW4OnD_YZUWZvsmPbZNU72lw8RUkbhLub8VdkiszMFqId1DFFIuwVC/s3893/Shag107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3114" data-original-width="3893" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UeGHRgyozxqRW_h8NiTd8kmgufBzsX1cDlm4V58RJ16vFKszSG6qmpKcmrp5NmM2JpThydQQWzMP-_DQe00t-5Rstvb4lZ1Sll2gt7Qi7ts-vSnhXH_O6e4dzGwjMDBoRYR9n9iW4OnD_YZUWZvsmPbZNU72lw8RUkbhLub8VdkiszMFqId1DFFIuwVC/w640-h512/Shag107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Slavonian Grebe at Orgreave Lakes:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8XiWJ825vazNv8BVEAzPu6J0GXruS1RYbywj44i2kIhGs-ruTPWTwlS-W8I7KN_fSzmAioI_kUjgdlaVroc1inb31om1OXSddZheUYQKParTHLoMvf00oIHZl1Ath6pWxHp3lWAbDiK6ye7Xa6kniqyo130ndpDAlWhuCQiyZcHz_gyQjuHfrY21tozc/s3183/Slavonian%20Grebe103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2387" data-original-width="3183" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8XiWJ825vazNv8BVEAzPu6J0GXruS1RYbywj44i2kIhGs-ruTPWTwlS-W8I7KN_fSzmAioI_kUjgdlaVroc1inb31om1OXSddZheUYQKParTHLoMvf00oIHZl1Ath6pWxHp3lWAbDiK6ye7Xa6kniqyo130ndpDAlWhuCQiyZcHz_gyQjuHfrY21tozc/w640-h480/Slavonian%20Grebe103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJMBN5Ls3iO4-fKpav_dvYquUj9dqnS6cU3DQu9hc8kbylEvVDN2OMwziJy3aY_9DgeuE3BPSFTuBrMPI7d5KsagSdVv0RUnXIxs-j_ogRTerfkm2VeO2EDzsam3sM_Rw0VwYUa0ln_VPfWyoDw_Aj77GJmdxAlnadSeYfSfFd5mAy1XPIMtL_0AGDD_D/s3804/Slavonian%20Grebe105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3043" data-original-width="3804" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJMBN5Ls3iO4-fKpav_dvYquUj9dqnS6cU3DQu9hc8kbylEvVDN2OMwziJy3aY_9DgeuE3BPSFTuBrMPI7d5KsagSdVv0RUnXIxs-j_ogRTerfkm2VeO2EDzsam3sM_Rw0VwYUa0ln_VPfWyoDw_Aj77GJmdxAlnadSeYfSfFd5mAy1XPIMtL_0AGDD_D/w640-h512/Slavonian%20Grebe105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bOG26Qk9OWgKONW0zulRHmq4pbxyuJXLMReg5PStc2JccxmWt1Hr2byH9fZR2dgnLR9Jx52XSJd58pXbVdLG8u5XrQhdCXP_KcJg3yd6cr75qozz-CAkZk-tEr6lKQXb95pMjiVOhJm2KgLzFW7OE-JB8LkKANCuOhn2SVGLKM57BVPULZuhy3GsB3dM/s1834/Slavonian%20Grebe106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1834" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bOG26Qk9OWgKONW0zulRHmq4pbxyuJXLMReg5PStc2JccxmWt1Hr2byH9fZR2dgnLR9Jx52XSJd58pXbVdLG8u5XrQhdCXP_KcJg3yd6cr75qozz-CAkZk-tEr6lKQXb95pMjiVOhJm2KgLzFW7OE-JB8LkKANCuOhn2SVGLKM57BVPULZuhy3GsB3dM/w640-h512/Slavonian%20Grebe106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Great Northern Diver at Orgreave Lakes:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WwyeovvgqpkjsLCxpGHrcZwA4HHjGaftDI3VY5wkidKkcWAotGHBKGTFBlOWCreImLQ3A7ZhskGfp6vqSEzoUTSkyewTBImxLmqcDSagzNsGGOynhX7v0y4PdHj3kJc0OGR30UoDRfcX2GR6PqrWBOwMVGVo89j7l35E5go3FmENVJkINPUssuOrF0vE/s2059/GND106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="2059" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WwyeovvgqpkjsLCxpGHrcZwA4HHjGaftDI3VY5wkidKkcWAotGHBKGTFBlOWCreImLQ3A7ZhskGfp6vqSEzoUTSkyewTBImxLmqcDSagzNsGGOynhX7v0y4PdHj3kJc0OGR30UoDRfcX2GR6PqrWBOwMVGVo89j7l35E5go3FmENVJkINPUssuOrF0vE/w640-h458/GND106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>Purple Sandpiper at Totley Moor:</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv2OGXsUCeSbYYvW7G9a9VpZBDnDgKdtA4pVah7OFLzHgjviaAtBQ5X9RADLg4QNnRRg-rKaq8Dt-eGcmLxNgoGj6oBOP1Iq321QTmpo7JwP8UYI3I1hxzTapek0H1N2vAlFSf9a4yizNFWts7FMppWzV91F2B17lhg0NcrtcphV6orNGhcCiXFrcOsbz/s2173/Purple%20Sandpiper101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1738" data-original-width="2173" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv2OGXsUCeSbYYvW7G9a9VpZBDnDgKdtA4pVah7OFLzHgjviaAtBQ5X9RADLg4QNnRRg-rKaq8Dt-eGcmLxNgoGj6oBOP1Iq321QTmpo7JwP8UYI3I1hxzTapek0H1N2vAlFSf9a4yizNFWts7FMppWzV91F2B17lhg0NcrtcphV6orNGhcCiXFrcOsbz/w640-h512/Purple%20Sandpiper101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmwG_6oaBkHs9LaA59ZoYtkNlhQmBLREKOzRldfmwOBi2HNCFMYcIieVUFT2NMwa3uDfCRfC6JXFT3R1RLWXu6E1XdF_823rp5oGsurDvD35JToTJwuE-F-LxoDjJWPSLv1ZxwhOftOyZMrO1INUNDa7EDIZA7m16C8c6Co3XsuFDMfW1uKpe6fD-qgV9/s3466/Purple%20Sandpiper102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="3466" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmwG_6oaBkHs9LaA59ZoYtkNlhQmBLREKOzRldfmwOBi2HNCFMYcIieVUFT2NMwa3uDfCRfC6JXFT3R1RLWXu6E1XdF_823rp5oGsurDvD35JToTJwuE-F-LxoDjJWPSLv1ZxwhOftOyZMrO1INUNDa7EDIZA7m16C8c6Co3XsuFDMfW1uKpe6fD-qgV9/w640-h512/Purple%20Sandpiper102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Thanks for looking!</div><div><br /></div>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-76261948719631673142023-12-29T13:46:00.000-08:002023-12-31T05:57:00.955-08:00The Little Crake - A Big Bird <p>After an amazing 2023, the November Little Crake in Buckinghamshire was my 450th British bird!</p><p>A nice bird to get me to this birding milestone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9n2eA10kxfKNDX7nTlfjP0Tsne1dXOlUrjGSCjXwm6OltFRvMZicDExr9qhASeYSssNMs_JoKc06suRLAQICv0IyzaXN_2EMCZc-ftt5RcCwi2Mh_Y1hGlzwI-BJMfGrz7CfM1vlH51S1xSj01REeOlVqSaCBfwi7YmOOgEBIWOEaKmzGAUZU_ZbW9wkZ/s2522/Little%20Crake1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="2522" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9n2eA10kxfKNDX7nTlfjP0Tsne1dXOlUrjGSCjXwm6OltFRvMZicDExr9qhASeYSssNMs_JoKc06suRLAQICv0IyzaXN_2EMCZc-ftt5RcCwi2Mh_Y1hGlzwI-BJMfGrz7CfM1vlH51S1xSj01REeOlVqSaCBfwi7YmOOgEBIWOEaKmzGAUZU_ZbW9wkZ/w640-h458/Little%20Crake1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Crake</div><p><br /></p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-56777641611526409682023-12-29T13:28:00.000-08:002023-12-29T13:28:15.030-08:00Solitary Sandpiper in Kent<p>As I was 'down south' in early November I headed over to Stodmarsh in Kent to attempt to see the Solitary Sandpiper. Although it had been seen for a number of days, sightings were sporadic and in different locations. </p><p>I arrived on site before dawn and waited for some light to appear before heading down to the Reedbed hide. After an hour there was no sign of any waders. There was a moment of excitement when a bird flew in but it was a Green Sandpiper. After a further hour or so we got lucky as the Solitary Sandpiper flew into the marshy area just to the left of the hide. It continued to give superb views as it fed within meters of the hide for at least an hour. It flew off later that afternoon and was not seen after that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqqZkAVEBPOOqk8By6VmIwDIXRln65Y8pEoyqQ3EP4_biNlj_nvVboVy6WRzNTmTi-rqVeVS0G-FC5z4p2k31HeI6xU-zERm_m4ABTfka7hubyvT530Pj6xSWOFPZQ_-WYhF1tzkk51Zom9VPA2-yD4BiKxbYTgn8hmdyCVwOztlhzR-axduM1jXDD90X/s3695/Solitary%20Sandpiper1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2639" data-original-width="3695" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqqZkAVEBPOOqk8By6VmIwDIXRln65Y8pEoyqQ3EP4_biNlj_nvVboVy6WRzNTmTi-rqVeVS0G-FC5z4p2k31HeI6xU-zERm_m4ABTfka7hubyvT530Pj6xSWOFPZQ_-WYhF1tzkk51Zom9VPA2-yD4BiKxbYTgn8hmdyCVwOztlhzR-axduM1jXDD90X/w640-h458/Solitary%20Sandpiper1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Solitary Sandpiper (front) and Green Sandpiper</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: Solitary Sandpiper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ou_pPxb3hN0fXbXW8lfIE_Q4T5YcSTbZJNIa2HMyIld8oBzZ0tX9H5IhC6QPSlldYjFBooQn9Qp-edbNBbwRJqA3G0_4H2qCeBD8kgWAkq9BL9CNjcaGpUzcvYoU7HtH9JcDhIZd9WpfVbfJ5Lg5_bCcUQvSe_2Ff0oXRQD1JBCws7wy_VEOBUcQWQV6/s3447/Solitary%20Sandpiper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2758" data-original-width="3447" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ou_pPxb3hN0fXbXW8lfIE_Q4T5YcSTbZJNIa2HMyIld8oBzZ0tX9H5IhC6QPSlldYjFBooQn9Qp-edbNBbwRJqA3G0_4H2qCeBD8kgWAkq9BL9CNjcaGpUzcvYoU7HtH9JcDhIZd9WpfVbfJ5Lg5_bCcUQvSe_2Ff0oXRQD1JBCws7wy_VEOBUcQWQV6/w640-h512/Solitary%20Sandpiper2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ5yG_bACEFbzPfuFvMsvOg57oSADamUpKoWvHVcz5AOVKE8bn3NFlLkBGJO6OdZ5R_Hh7BlXxZMCq6F-AGNTo1MOYi_d5DgMsevIB3zNJNLq3TFhSWNdLmazWqa61YkzmbyJTN2gE7tSFUV7zltqIswohUEm_Az296UH4BQiiGeYPZPlNqzDnDo_F7UB/s3687/Solitary%20Sandpiper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2950" data-original-width="3687" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ5yG_bACEFbzPfuFvMsvOg57oSADamUpKoWvHVcz5AOVKE8bn3NFlLkBGJO6OdZ5R_Hh7BlXxZMCq6F-AGNTo1MOYi_d5DgMsevIB3zNJNLq3TFhSWNdLmazWqa61YkzmbyJTN2gE7tSFUV7zltqIswohUEm_Az296UH4BQiiGeYPZPlNqzDnDo_F7UB/w640-h512/Solitary%20Sandpiper3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJEkI8Sz5XvH0kYVag3KQ-DVXqhg2Mztr_QRc73iL3Nabx6SVQaRVGxxVkUYeysogkorlOZumWWui3kedarVPx9Xu3k7rjzCl2iFRndiRj_XbzXztPoFLTiBmZJ9rgn6VEgSSpM792AHaDMtLggVUBUfqnSnGeAGXXPCUgsGbNY9SErdee24kjzVCsd8f/s2933/Solitary%20Sandpiper4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="2095" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJEkI8Sz5XvH0kYVag3KQ-DVXqhg2Mztr_QRc73iL3Nabx6SVQaRVGxxVkUYeysogkorlOZumWWui3kedarVPx9Xu3k7rjzCl2iFRndiRj_XbzXztPoFLTiBmZJ9rgn6VEgSSpM792AHaDMtLggVUBUfqnSnGeAGXXPCUgsGbNY9SErdee24kjzVCsd8f/w458-h640/Solitary%20Sandpiper4.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0j1Nbw4LhUuIuIun3NyrNuKnqsuUdp2iQyaBHS2wJk5aBTlBEeo98DlF9dR-3PHpL8uGpz5ct7N40APEYC_8PGa4zmHrdascPDXazze2mss4xTKMUDBl3AXV8UR-Dyk-c44sPVOI3jCriUJGpLqiq-7nN8IQ-PhRF7k_ya1kVnASrXDtDIvPSVGeGzl-/s3043/Solitary%20Sandpiper5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3043" data-original-width="3043" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0j1Nbw4LhUuIuIun3NyrNuKnqsuUdp2iQyaBHS2wJk5aBTlBEeo98DlF9dR-3PHpL8uGpz5ct7N40APEYC_8PGa4zmHrdascPDXazze2mss4xTKMUDBl3AXV8UR-Dyk-c44sPVOI3jCriUJGpLqiq-7nN8IQ-PhRF7k_ya1kVnASrXDtDIvPSVGeGzl-/w640-h640/Solitary%20Sandpiper5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s98CUiHQuMQIlHdqAecvQEYEVkq9JOS_cy-E9tCaGUUbjxGnZm2DkC6Um-SMVE8h2E_IiscRNTh7LM-UL7NsrEYfmy9VU8Hnn0EKfvYa6uHOyUPaoFKgCf255IikRBkzoRSxRwv1B9zY1Cco05ufEeQxpXxwBFmQaKk4xuhYuWfmXLoFrZGFiFtSKffP/s3712/Solitary%20Sandpiper6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2970" data-original-width="3712" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s98CUiHQuMQIlHdqAecvQEYEVkq9JOS_cy-E9tCaGUUbjxGnZm2DkC6Um-SMVE8h2E_IiscRNTh7LM-UL7NsrEYfmy9VU8Hnn0EKfvYa6uHOyUPaoFKgCf255IikRBkzoRSxRwv1B9zY1Cco05ufEeQxpXxwBFmQaKk4xuhYuWfmXLoFrZGFiFtSKffP/w640-h512/Solitary%20Sandpiper6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-17601659686297064122023-12-29T12:31:00.000-08:002023-12-29T12:31:16.631-08:00Spurn and a Red-headed Bunting at Flamborough Head<p>With easterly winds forecast I headed to Spurn for a full day on October 21st, getting there at dawn with the intention of a couple of hours sea-watching and then just to wander around the Spurn area and see what could be found. It was an eventful morning, although there were very few sea birds, and the hoped for Leach's Petrel didn't materialise. The best bird was a Hen Harrier drifting south out at sea!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeTSgQKk2ADUftk-YhBxI0WtyjMfAc1UpiUcbiYimrkj5b-VrOX2esjoE-WsFyozBdDDIpUpCb06OIpXDr2bHvIM0esx-cVZrGF_Bzd3T6c-i2R-bPgJG2V_ExVnawu-Fj11yJwGCBW0uwlcuseKgnCa5FmneO5QXEHaKWbpj-FJZ2QyNdNiM8SrIjzhr/s3922/Hen%20Harrier101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3138" data-original-width="3922" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeTSgQKk2ADUftk-YhBxI0WtyjMfAc1UpiUcbiYimrkj5b-VrOX2esjoE-WsFyozBdDDIpUpCb06OIpXDr2bHvIM0esx-cVZrGF_Bzd3T6c-i2R-bPgJG2V_ExVnawu-Fj11yJwGCBW0uwlcuseKgnCa5FmneO5QXEHaKWbpj-FJZ2QyNdNiM8SrIjzhr/w640-h512/Hen%20Harrier101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hen Harrier</div><p>However, other raptors starting to move in off the sea, with a couple of Short-eared Owls and a nice Rough-legged Buzzard soon in the area. </p><p>A lovely Red-flanked Bluetail was (re)caught in the nets along with a Twite in Church Fields</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsSbmgNZjde9WlSW20PvETJlhyLOnreSO3tqFZKJX8o20MNMYgRjFRC8TQJJpI53a6CC43nVPrLeh25kq6Y8EnmTHGlKoa5pBlAIlsMzjXQ7PPWLImboq6C1Ts5T4X8H9_XMzDO_gXbjBLCwXtOsKJpOHuO8HGTTwaS8xvuJ40JE-HxkFH8KFzt-4KGHE/s3829/Twite108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3829" data-original-width="3063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsSbmgNZjde9WlSW20PvETJlhyLOnreSO3tqFZKJX8o20MNMYgRjFRC8TQJJpI53a6CC43nVPrLeh25kq6Y8EnmTHGlKoa5pBlAIlsMzjXQ7PPWLImboq6C1Ts5T4X8H9_XMzDO_gXbjBLCwXtOsKJpOHuO8HGTTwaS8xvuJ40JE-HxkFH8KFzt-4KGHE/w512-h640/Twite108.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Twite</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvceu6aIdnjiO8awhuen8lD1VjqOU8ZlSfmr-yZMP53HNEGL_I9S2awAI85eSsV3PGGo-ePZPZvcTtsS6rbnTVAPeTXH0Xh_owphQU_gfi63KLQfH69oz2gZfX7xmUS8W209AQ1aEPjQHZRVZuSqBvgL4aceavDtb6pRVxW6nslSiq5kmegKfTALfq0_7a/s3364/RFB101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="3364" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvceu6aIdnjiO8awhuen8lD1VjqOU8ZlSfmr-yZMP53HNEGL_I9S2awAI85eSsV3PGGo-ePZPZvcTtsS6rbnTVAPeTXH0Xh_owphQU_gfi63KLQfH69oz2gZfX7xmUS8W209AQ1aEPjQHZRVZuSqBvgL4aceavDtb6pRVxW6nslSiq5kmegKfTALfq0_7a/w640-h512/RFB101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Red-flanked Bluetail</div><p>Other arrivals included a Waxwing, but that couldn't be found so I headed on to Beacon Ponds, where the American Wigeon and Long-tailed Duck were easy to pick up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgKJDDlDWxY5mdDW5Xl8J878NffzmOkGZZCLCyKVCkOiLPsdwP6Yc6I54fPrOusfsTX9ap-TSCMgmVCnLXNtHItftX4uWcXWvnu_ResbjSjjcYhWd88B5cS0S4HLCkIfLQpPwr_ElOATu6fh2lBh4zecRTaGKCGGbkBXh9fc_wMBd25pe-mxF4P1gwIbW/s4411/LT%20Duck106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3151" data-original-width="4411" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgKJDDlDWxY5mdDW5Xl8J878NffzmOkGZZCLCyKVCkOiLPsdwP6Yc6I54fPrOusfsTX9ap-TSCMgmVCnLXNtHItftX4uWcXWvnu_ResbjSjjcYhWd88B5cS0S4HLCkIfLQpPwr_ElOATu6fh2lBh4zecRTaGKCGGbkBXh9fc_wMBd25pe-mxF4P1gwIbW/w640-h458/LT%20Duck106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Duck</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVdcLI8v7UoyBBHFb8wdtYb2-L1u0QAFHTTqR4MdSWPGTNrFhvyJ9xPFVE8gdI01Hbs90BNPabx4bafh7fzdRfC5NzRQtq44ti4yoWYicn7u2rCPVQG_r0TMKihut3QRd-DHapnGrg-Si9InwwZdRWmxGnQA0XRyjkI7H9uPaQKveU2LABETupkKUEPEf/s1554/Amercian%20Wigeon101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1554" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVdcLI8v7UoyBBHFb8wdtYb2-L1u0QAFHTTqR4MdSWPGTNrFhvyJ9xPFVE8gdI01Hbs90BNPabx4bafh7fzdRfC5NzRQtq44ti4yoWYicn7u2rCPVQG_r0TMKihut3QRd-DHapnGrg-Si9InwwZdRWmxGnQA0XRyjkI7H9uPaQKveU2LABETupkKUEPEf/w640-h512/Amercian%20Wigeon101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">American Wigeon</p><p>After wandering back to the Spurn triangle I was contemplating heading home, when news emerged of an interesting Bunting found further north at Flamborough Head. It was described as either Black-headed or (less likely) Red-headed Bunting. As I had seen neither I decided it was worth the drive up there to attempt to see the bird before the end of the day. It was going to be a race against time as it was already mid-afternoon and the light would soon start to go. It took a good 90 minutes to get to Flamborough; there is no quick route from Spurn other than to follow the coast. </p><p>I arrived and soon realised I was at the wrong car park. At this point I almost gave up as the light was already starting to go, but I persisted and relocated to the North Landing car park, but surprisingly there were no birders present to ask directions. I had a rough idea of where it was so set off running along the coast path as the sun was descending quickly. I estimated I had about 40 minutes of light and it would take about 25 minutes to get there. I was aware I wouldn't be able to return the next day, or in fact for the next week, so that gave me added reason to get to it that evening. I passed two small groups who were returning and they pointed me in the right direction. I suspect they thought I had no chance of seeing it. </p><p>After leaving the main path and heading along the side of a field, I was relieved to see two birders still present in the distance, and after a lot of pointing and a few falls down muddy banks and through barbed wire I was in the right place and looking at the Bunting. Despite being a sweaty mess, it was certainly worth the effort. With only three people present the bird was relatively relaxed and gave superb views, and for a few minutes the setting sun shone right on the bird providing enough light for some decent shots. I managed to take some photos which were widely distributed that evening and, despite the bird being in heavy moult, several features pointed towards it being a possible Red-headed Bunting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeVdp2RmdA0z3B4QKafI-t0Ii3riTwMzz7iuriZ0zL5qfH_uwsj9vcs-KCS2aF9By2PxjvqHACAV1yUSiX1XXORQ4VQz08-3ZDgs5QPQebdgtcItqy1Ex3L159ZGfGw2BJEgtgbci7-7vjLIGPrFF6luGyIuZ9y5pvdejeirgISymz4TNU8SoWJHJqbHy/s2009/Red-headed%20Bunting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="2009" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeVdp2RmdA0z3B4QKafI-t0Ii3riTwMzz7iuriZ0zL5qfH_uwsj9vcs-KCS2aF9By2PxjvqHACAV1yUSiX1XXORQ4VQz08-3ZDgs5QPQebdgtcItqy1Ex3L159ZGfGw2BJEgtgbci7-7vjLIGPrFF6luGyIuZ9y5pvdejeirgISymz4TNU8SoWJHJqbHy/w640-h512/Red-headed%20Bunting1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPq_4uJN_RlUhZumH10hiLnm2sd8kOUmIYRo8IixBbmPEUQiD_cl3Iaj0oeX8Y-2gK5WL6MhK-fisZJ6RLSJ_cXZh_lGC0PRdIXmGeM88C1BdGGXUA5-ZgoPgbxcHPrRqdzfcz4VB8zzCQNIrKM-BNG821S0DLGJ3gtjWTa_Vu9qfFqkco_PmXkH9_1Bw/s2746/Red-headed%20Bunting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2197" data-original-width="2746" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPq_4uJN_RlUhZumH10hiLnm2sd8kOUmIYRo8IixBbmPEUQiD_cl3Iaj0oeX8Y-2gK5WL6MhK-fisZJ6RLSJ_cXZh_lGC0PRdIXmGeM88C1BdGGXUA5-ZgoPgbxcHPrRqdzfcz4VB8zzCQNIrKM-BNG821S0DLGJ3gtjWTa_Vu9qfFqkco_PmXkH9_1Bw/w640-h512/Red-headed%20Bunting2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRlsEScAMEUUTaFhznoyyPlW_hF3lZJb9U2HnzMNmykftdOU4n-H7ZrD9McweoE-mzFc-7IwXNNDM0kvzud9x1eCOtO_nBtZAl0j2CPsI4p89lUVzL1kOFexZ5qyy1gpj_Rl2zS0EnWiYIasGI-IJXCW6W3jmxnoKh9kCW5uWJQNC2DteWSv9oKjFBB1w/s3102/Red-headed%20Bunting3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3102" data-original-width="2482" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRlsEScAMEUUTaFhznoyyPlW_hF3lZJb9U2HnzMNmykftdOU4n-H7ZrD9McweoE-mzFc-7IwXNNDM0kvzud9x1eCOtO_nBtZAl0j2CPsI4p89lUVzL1kOFexZ5qyy1gpj_Rl2zS0EnWiYIasGI-IJXCW6W3jmxnoKh9kCW5uWJQNC2DteWSv9oKjFBB1w/w512-h640/Red-headed%20Bunting3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Red-headed Bunting</div><p>Over the next few days not surprisingly the bird proved very popular as it had the potential of being a mega rarity. DNA was collected and a few weeks later the bird was subsequently confirmed as a Red-headed Bunting, a first-winter male, and if accepted will probably be the second for Britain, following the re-assessment of one a decade earlier on Out Skerries, Shetland. </p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-38865694594700018542023-12-12T13:48:00.000-08:002023-12-12T13:48:49.285-08:00Shetland 2023<p>The long drive north to Aberdeen was the start of a great 10 autumn days on Shetland this year. </p><p>The first bird of note was a nice summer-plumaged Red-throated Diver off the sea at Stonehaven, south of Aberdeen, before heading onto the overnight ferry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZMW73Qersw28DLNTZCxlZ2UTqQqHkNPTj_5pbPunBe4XQUWNXWDRfjizbVR5N9bbRCXyMB9maflkdVwXYUk961ZEAZWxvoSpKMm_1dpnPvv5IxAkv7c729B3DJ4zC32VF7c7FiHDw8xfyBPqXmVVJIJrY9fxyjxI9pePfjElCJbnEHXXv1N1ZW36I6ms/s2771/Red-throated%20Diver107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="2771" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZMW73Qersw28DLNTZCxlZ2UTqQqHkNPTj_5pbPunBe4XQUWNXWDRfjizbVR5N9bbRCXyMB9maflkdVwXYUk961ZEAZWxvoSpKMm_1dpnPvv5IxAkv7c729B3DJ4zC32VF7c7FiHDw8xfyBPqXmVVJIJrY9fxyjxI9pePfjElCJbnEHXXv1N1ZW36I6ms/w640-h458/Red-throated%20Diver107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Red-throated Diver, Stonehaven</div><p>The overnight crossing was relatively calm, and as I'd risked not getting a cabin I even managed to get a little sleep on the benches. It was great to arrive in Lerwick which started with a much needed breakfast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm0pT8HYm446_5h89Mw1CS3LT72dV-p0vX0QFT5bnCxJokHpQsxXNyE2F0fSkeMR_kv6XYaLFch6p-eBNm0eNIREMGVuVFll_gGaz0WTGHgoAST_vHjgkl0COtRIB5axJNwPKo3isP2z6lRTEfqoCqdgPzmOUH31Io-gXLjz0Kvq__PrvGwwDl6gCYhGM/s4032/8D56386E-F809-4034-840C-7C5BAFFA8BA3.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm0pT8HYm446_5h89Mw1CS3LT72dV-p0vX0QFT5bnCxJokHpQsxXNyE2F0fSkeMR_kv6XYaLFch6p-eBNm0eNIREMGVuVFll_gGaz0WTGHgoAST_vHjgkl0COtRIB5axJNwPKo3isP2z6lRTEfqoCqdgPzmOUH31Io-gXLjz0Kvq__PrvGwwDl6gCYhGM/w640-h480/8D56386E-F809-4034-840C-7C5BAFFA8BA3.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupKSAVp3dSf7eeaNw0YpFUCh6rnsah5J1XxpcqhGrjM54wJXuui1uuxkX4uw_lQIVbsWxfOFiEcgY8wJppTJpt7y8V77FVx57B-97jiDE81PuXgqNMwwCOXb84LfH5W566-P-ud8STuURY38ZZmMp-xW285gozYxbHJfQ484I3FOoSAHE0YT1PYOSNb65/s4032/584BDEB4-ED7B-4B7A-AD7E-72B24EC9CC58.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupKSAVp3dSf7eeaNw0YpFUCh6rnsah5J1XxpcqhGrjM54wJXuui1uuxkX4uw_lQIVbsWxfOFiEcgY8wJppTJpt7y8V77FVx57B-97jiDE81PuXgqNMwwCOXb84LfH5W566-P-ud8STuURY38ZZmMp-xW285gozYxbHJfQ484I3FOoSAHE0YT1PYOSNb65/w300-h400/584BDEB4-ED7B-4B7A-AD7E-72B24EC9CC58.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Out of the cafe and I was able to walk to the first target, a Bluethroat that had been in the area south of Lerwick for a couple of days. I found it straight away, and although it didn't show for long, it gave occasional good views from its position in the middle of a field.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvBSiJnzre7TgJ-20pXIONBqDb5PRpYM8xA6W3f1zLnVyAy6wj14BvHo__rZi8wD2CBJ_vCu5RgREwWr0eCCt4vJnhXS4_iU70twe0PdkYXyg0hFlgY8-2cYSocoKIEKQy_6dHy2tuWR8RCJzBZUfjfR8kIq2vn4mRdHOYJHwdw8uimcoE2Umx-7iO2QN/s1711/Bluethroat103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1711" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvBSiJnzre7TgJ-20pXIONBqDb5PRpYM8xA6W3f1zLnVyAy6wj14BvHo__rZi8wD2CBJ_vCu5RgREwWr0eCCt4vJnhXS4_iU70twe0PdkYXyg0hFlgY8-2cYSocoKIEKQy_6dHy2tuWR8RCJzBZUfjfR8kIq2vn4mRdHOYJHwdw8uimcoE2Umx-7iO2QN/w640-h512/Bluethroat103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bluethroat at Sound, Lerwick</div><p>It was a great start to the day, and I then drove the short distance to Clickimin Loch where a Little Bunting had been showing well. A small crowd was gathered at it was showing incredibly well, picking insects from a couple of small sycamore trees like a warbler.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBChi25k7X27JAU-BjAKV-eB09QB7ypGOORXI58GCHN_AjLWL_eyji41Rs8hhFifWiSSyVtl6_llj9OzfjWcR8lxLVu6q8ndhVIEi8QBPawVIewkL-zHK00-70rPMOuoRygAZ5o1xc7YuUADOXWNH11l3ldiVesF4SDUZu7Io-vVZOOH_NZTZUweXgogti/s2258/Little%20Bunting101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1806" data-original-width="2258" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBChi25k7X27JAU-BjAKV-eB09QB7ypGOORXI58GCHN_AjLWL_eyji41Rs8hhFifWiSSyVtl6_llj9OzfjWcR8lxLVu6q8ndhVIEi8QBPawVIewkL-zHK00-70rPMOuoRygAZ5o1xc7YuUADOXWNH11l3ldiVesF4SDUZu7Io-vVZOOH_NZTZUweXgogti/w640-h512/Little%20Bunting101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU9IMTwc21FlqQG_rhS2NYu1jFREg8FcSSHDU8XdB4N5tlXnpAtuB_GBZmihOLST9TBti3Sdd-jQwn8x1b6HnxifF1v3YV0fYIJvusFprtk0nBPLlylW-d_-hkXvarXWHJmLZLIIou0OMV0kT-Y8vM4eyRnWYeHHElXqxkCX_DDswlLN_pCcouHeKNCPQ/s2785/Little%20Bunting102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="2785" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU9IMTwc21FlqQG_rhS2NYu1jFREg8FcSSHDU8XdB4N5tlXnpAtuB_GBZmihOLST9TBti3Sdd-jQwn8x1b6HnxifF1v3YV0fYIJvusFprtk0nBPLlylW-d_-hkXvarXWHJmLZLIIou0OMV0kT-Y8vM4eyRnWYeHHElXqxkCX_DDswlLN_pCcouHeKNCPQ/w640-h512/Little%20Bunting102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4ioT9KxB1nhLKfoSVMD2KHoUEXxF4htFETIrOG2gE8ymaz4aiwsAZ_SWsLD28M5xo4to2LTBSQbHrT87jkLsOoTTx76ldBLkx3yB_g35iMsfRxgdFB5r7WOWtb3MwtqdDqQVjMayC9v7Ot2JuR09fBVolWTEaFXcT3J5HCI3Tc-pNWiz_vqjinO2WFBp/s730/Little%20Bunting103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="730" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4ioT9KxB1nhLKfoSVMD2KHoUEXxF4htFETIrOG2gE8ymaz4aiwsAZ_SWsLD28M5xo4to2LTBSQbHrT87jkLsOoTTx76ldBLkx3yB_g35iMsfRxgdFB5r7WOWtb3MwtqdDqQVjMayC9v7Ot2JuR09fBVolWTEaFXcT3J5HCI3Tc-pNWiz_vqjinO2WFBp/w640-h512/Little%20Bunting103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5X44qvQyabE2s-WaIiUDqU69YPvII-rJJln5OsPv_1Hglt1azwAy-m_V4KFRJhRFqRwC-PnDfDn0YzrD7t68tsbr49oS6_xaS1RPOrlemVcJMv43AHjg_6kR-Jb_0Rk5n735-zOeK0MHel8lXMs5Eh2lvzt3sFNp7LulvMrDG4uweEKRRyLdzcdAN_3t/s2464/Little%20Bunting104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="2464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5X44qvQyabE2s-WaIiUDqU69YPvII-rJJln5OsPv_1Hglt1azwAy-m_V4KFRJhRFqRwC-PnDfDn0YzrD7t68tsbr49oS6_xaS1RPOrlemVcJMv43AHjg_6kR-Jb_0Rk5n735-zOeK0MHel8lXMs5Eh2lvzt3sFNp7LulvMrDG4uweEKRRyLdzcdAN_3t/w640-h640/Little%20Bunting104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Bunting, Lerwick</div><p>Also in the Lerwick area was a confiding Citrine Wagtail. I hadn't been able to locate it in a brief search between the Bluethroat and the Little Bunting. I returned to the Seafield area to have another look. I soon found it with some Pied Wagtails on the football pitch, after which is relocated over the path to what would become its favoured garden. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyZ9OMZgZo02PqDL-KK_Et7qeUZMjvHD48cffFZVjuxYIcBUnwa_JNpmVNe9qsntBQSWw28RMqQS6JCzeg_MnowyjtYcjIxPHYI9nrWqbcSEUcUJQ_5XRjRXQaQ7VuYgOg4l0JcbjAxKIPQiuB27m_zFewcyGz4cZZ3ivbFLaBpjI5Ti2CkoVITkBlleM/s3905/Citrine%20Wagtail101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2789" data-original-width="3905" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyZ9OMZgZo02PqDL-KK_Et7qeUZMjvHD48cffFZVjuxYIcBUnwa_JNpmVNe9qsntBQSWw28RMqQS6JCzeg_MnowyjtYcjIxPHYI9nrWqbcSEUcUJQ_5XRjRXQaQ7VuYgOg4l0JcbjAxKIPQiuB27m_zFewcyGz4cZZ3ivbFLaBpjI5Ti2CkoVITkBlleM/w640-h458/Citrine%20Wagtail101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHLxOpgW3dZ24iwSAOmaDs3kr9fNRLX6W2iK0y0Cp2C5gmrKHlqY3ypp4NUfVfz2nICmsVqMYYtGEc1vsZsbJ-erO3bz4WH1LXz7hzE8xUt5lKp8AzRTu4D7howNeeceHnkVF0157wSVTVrymKUfp7NGJOLbHRsgCgk3e87HKT-Lii9_Ds0cTDR7kUipi/s2243/Citrine%20Wagtail102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="2243" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHLxOpgW3dZ24iwSAOmaDs3kr9fNRLX6W2iK0y0Cp2C5gmrKHlqY3ypp4NUfVfz2nICmsVqMYYtGEc1vsZsbJ-erO3bz4WH1LXz7hzE8xUt5lKp8AzRTu4D7howNeeceHnkVF0157wSVTVrymKUfp7NGJOLbHRsgCgk3e87HKT-Lii9_Ds0cTDR7kUipi/w640-h512/Citrine%20Wagtail102.jpg" width="640" /></a>Citrine Wagtail, Seafield Park, Lerwick</div><p>I didn't stay long. It was good to see so many uncommon eastern migrants, after what had been a long period of predominantly westerly winds. But a message appeared that got me straight in the car heading north to Lunna Kirk - a bird very much from the west - a possible Veery!</p><p>A swift 30 minute journey to an area I'd visited many time before; the last good bird there was a Melodious warbler a few years ago. Arriving at the church, there was around 20 people looking into the base of a row of trees, and what had now been confirmed as a Veery was showing really well, feeding on the ground under the trees and occasionally further forward through the fence. This was a new bird for me, so it was great to get a tick on the first day within hours of arriving in Shetland.</p><p>The Veery, a small North American Catharus thrush, ended up staying several days and became more confiding as time went on. It was seen by most Shetland autumn birders. I saw it a few days later with no-one else there and it was feeding a few feet from where I was stood, out in the field.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZZ4wbFYj534v4kmbHQrGy0aIh1JjW-V4ObHJhFooW5XyB1nu3LRqnEn4Ts8y1n_8mkVwJfS4kb9XnHJsMm2jR_F0qjCsAEBR278RoHRGk60CA65P_NnE7pBLBX3sz3N0EfsNsBvMNYcW8MukxFBkyT6GS-q4CJ9q2ItbszyxgAuNpoFkOH04McVVzgYG/s4032/99FFDB85-66D7-40E9-9779-19B26AB2AEFD.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZZ4wbFYj534v4kmbHQrGy0aIh1JjW-V4ObHJhFooW5XyB1nu3LRqnEn4Ts8y1n_8mkVwJfS4kb9XnHJsMm2jR_F0qjCsAEBR278RoHRGk60CA65P_NnE7pBLBX3sz3N0EfsNsBvMNYcW8MukxFBkyT6GS-q4CJ9q2ItbszyxgAuNpoFkOH04McVVzgYG/w480-h640/99FFDB85-66D7-40E9-9779-19B26AB2AEFD.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjzEcnvbLb4InYyP5vot5-afkKfCRHrdDA4soqsz7LIcGjIMN1QMT5qhflAqzqwdwV0RCEpxNLluypUVJI95zhdi5tew5DwmPxsBjOqoF8zBlhudnnNeZ9Yj-VhqLX7SozVdcAU0Q95o3OTJkFvoc4cQoeKfgV135l1q2GTuLAi47vuWW3-1meuYHsUXj/s3755/Veery1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3004" data-original-width="3755" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjzEcnvbLb4InYyP5vot5-afkKfCRHrdDA4soqsz7LIcGjIMN1QMT5qhflAqzqwdwV0RCEpxNLluypUVJI95zhdi5tew5DwmPxsBjOqoF8zBlhudnnNeZ9Yj-VhqLX7SozVdcAU0Q95o3OTJkFvoc4cQoeKfgV135l1q2GTuLAi47vuWW3-1meuYHsUXj/w640-h512/Veery1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWJ35vMi4-LWPCp_WEdG7khchFDf0NG3gfxs4FRNan_u8fCW4cM5P6ijyEXo0QjJ2xgDCnim0hfd76pslFyhyphenhyphenkDIRc4BLWAiVsnilPas36Z-rH9q0rYnVHryGTqUvIOql1HHd_JSHUubbs8MVAMb2fPnKPB_uwE1lfsgQ9kPhuT9AaggQ5h0uunEWuZAA/s2789/Veery2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2789" data-original-width="2789" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWJ35vMi4-LWPCp_WEdG7khchFDf0NG3gfxs4FRNan_u8fCW4cM5P6ijyEXo0QjJ2xgDCnim0hfd76pslFyhyphenhyphenkDIRc4BLWAiVsnilPas36Z-rH9q0rYnVHryGTqUvIOql1HHd_JSHUubbs8MVAMb2fPnKPB_uwE1lfsgQ9kPhuT9AaggQ5h0uunEWuZAA/w640-h640/Veery2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaTzLWJETJCMgqZy4nH7_zLlrJM-fjMs0QXi6aeVaO4MpPLTqnb3ALGA55KBGQ8XsdKFXmqc-aoakzdFQuEBuY6X6Gq_pOtycbne_qVmClVj-pA_kNY4x_qSRMJLujfEs8T7Un1ofKp4xzAWQrIxyAam82u1eU4S2MCUzFUdn892WL4kn8dS3qJLK_tUQ/s4041/Veery5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2886" data-original-width="4041" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaTzLWJETJCMgqZy4nH7_zLlrJM-fjMs0QXi6aeVaO4MpPLTqnb3ALGA55KBGQ8XsdKFXmqc-aoakzdFQuEBuY6X6Gq_pOtycbne_qVmClVj-pA_kNY4x_qSRMJLujfEs8T7Un1ofKp4xzAWQrIxyAam82u1eU4S2MCUzFUdn892WL4kn8dS3qJLK_tUQ/w640-h458/Veery5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_GVgc0uXbFyYV4nzFQUsLihnzbEbla80T526SM5p3lLgiK912uCPYBCS8-IXjEsSGcoby_p425NI2NobHo0darvmPEgRRfDN_eDU2_JUgXNFTSVYogWmjFWGy-OxE4_stL_kqX6tgV_4LUdhEvHp9FdVTPkiuxk6k4mprtjCpF9pxdVPim0Csq2FbYox/s3401/Veery6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3401" data-original-width="3401" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_GVgc0uXbFyYV4nzFQUsLihnzbEbla80T526SM5p3lLgiK912uCPYBCS8-IXjEsSGcoby_p425NI2NobHo0darvmPEgRRfDN_eDU2_JUgXNFTSVYogWmjFWGy-OxE4_stL_kqX6tgV_4LUdhEvHp9FdVTPkiuxk6k4mprtjCpF9pxdVPim0Csq2FbYox/w640-h640/Veery6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W5huStVqPiIdovihwuMLL5zAJp2wBOLCrDWSsUP3VDKAxIwhZJOECHbB9NGHJ0BCp9wNUkHl6KxMFP_ibOC_u9msqnfsKthHxieeVORj8_BkEczBxVpOVXek6kkak-rBNCYJD3c2nHrsdcXgKGh5ptkBAoxETB6nYJv1Fy8L1gdGItMBez1nAXvMTTet/s4122/Veery7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3298" data-original-width="4122" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W5huStVqPiIdovihwuMLL5zAJp2wBOLCrDWSsUP3VDKAxIwhZJOECHbB9NGHJ0BCp9wNUkHl6KxMFP_ibOC_u9msqnfsKthHxieeVORj8_BkEczBxVpOVXek6kkak-rBNCYJD3c2nHrsdcXgKGh5ptkBAoxETB6nYJv1Fy8L1gdGItMBez1nAXvMTTet/w640-h512/Veery7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Veery, Lunna</div><p>This was turning into an incredible first day on Shetland, but there was one further highlight. Whilst watching the Veery, someone shouted over that a pod of Orca's was coming into the sound just to the east of Lunna. This simply involved a quick 2 minute run over to the seaward side and the Orca's were soon in view.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6QeUTr1RrhQxNQfRE5vnvAlif6At_7hD1cmVoIdFGyVkl52ixUgL_ywDTAwbb87Q5lIY8cYzrtayKWuvNrcEPd4CuDh2sBRz2foo-Yu0IUfeUTQNPlaJdUX7L9ECezqLB6D_WxHXB-BepVHxbFjiT4aTXfoONWsl4nxQR7xGa4wtvHDRBkQmnVZmntb2/s5420/Orca102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4336" data-original-width="5420" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6QeUTr1RrhQxNQfRE5vnvAlif6At_7hD1cmVoIdFGyVkl52ixUgL_ywDTAwbb87Q5lIY8cYzrtayKWuvNrcEPd4CuDh2sBRz2foo-Yu0IUfeUTQNPlaJdUX7L9ECezqLB6D_WxHXB-BepVHxbFjiT4aTXfoONWsl4nxQR7xGa4wtvHDRBkQmnVZmntb2/w640-h512/Orca102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6m9ti94vCxGt9cC1n-idHB830cXZhCSuNeu2ZPn3uEbOWV3IhiQwB5FI8FGL7XRvFObfsHaGl528ACN0aFCNdBMbS6yXiG-oKFw4xbz3PF8TEtENQgCQwrhd92pUUJzb04cYo3tDsMzYutRQR5Gdvts4IwJkDMqngBkFrc8ZnLdu8G3sanLIgCM9NKhb/s1928/Orca101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1928" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6m9ti94vCxGt9cC1n-idHB830cXZhCSuNeu2ZPn3uEbOWV3IhiQwB5FI8FGL7XRvFObfsHaGl528ACN0aFCNdBMbS6yXiG-oKFw4xbz3PF8TEtENQgCQwrhd92pUUJzb04cYo3tDsMzYutRQR5Gdvts4IwJkDMqngBkFrc8ZnLdu8G3sanLIgCM9NKhb/w640-h512/Orca101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Orcas at Lunna Kirk</div><p>What a day. It was time to get to the accommodation! I stayed in Weisdale for a few days and then moved over to Lerwick.</p><p>The next few days were never going to live up to the first, but there were some good birds. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hQsrkaXSS7SBNy_e-t5Hn9yggFErmkHIzCPigTHulc8f9NS0jyOBCHYC5Z8zvA0huz06nv1ZBhOzClFyMYyBlTQqBEjUTilXdvS8Z0mB6Rnwl-0cRSV5qixxqccYhTrRjT2sNnDukuSKiL-g7MYyt3ovdqw7OCK1aZ675QR5ZUXjBFO4Py1mbrhHZsW_/s2095/RBF103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2095" data-original-width="1676" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hQsrkaXSS7SBNy_e-t5Hn9yggFErmkHIzCPigTHulc8f9NS0jyOBCHYC5Z8zvA0huz06nv1ZBhOzClFyMYyBlTQqBEjUTilXdvS8Z0mB6Rnwl-0cRSV5qixxqccYhTrRjT2sNnDukuSKiL-g7MYyt3ovdqw7OCK1aZ675QR5ZUXjBFO4Py1mbrhHZsW_/w512-h640/RBF103.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">A Red-breasted Flycatcher found at Kergord. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yOkHhdYyaV51RUpOkvtd8Zj4_YvTBjmIIVJU6VrpP_I0ddvtV_g44irwqJWMqQJRkXObfMeGjHE9bKks_GQ33sbAdCAgnygsXEu9WPEdyWNc6r-RHfCO8-_bZOtKpec7KjlU-ytf_Fyf3Qk0QtNfo8TyL2vjoGCdK_2zrZ5XLzjwlXayH_UkGOnFnzKo/s1000/DSC_6330-Enhanced-NR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yOkHhdYyaV51RUpOkvtd8Zj4_YvTBjmIIVJU6VrpP_I0ddvtV_g44irwqJWMqQJRkXObfMeGjHE9bKks_GQ33sbAdCAgnygsXEu9WPEdyWNc6r-RHfCO8-_bZOtKpec7KjlU-ytf_Fyf3Qk0QtNfo8TyL2vjoGCdK_2zrZ5XLzjwlXayH_UkGOnFnzKo/w512-h640/DSC_6330-Enhanced-NR.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7VsKg9w8N9OODThAnY6GioEY8u7_5b6np6JD4qzdPJVKr_l1_TQGyswsBnQdBLwuWVqamCxjUAjDG_3P3YumV59e1hsHg9pMUCw8jpr-isDxVcCjmP1ktIzTiDBrl6xddFKO1o1KY_XSsm3Pg2FuMB0saWA2-QjtQSOjVomTsvqbBNFDy4TZ738WYI1p/s3157/Cattle%20Egret105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2526" data-original-width="3157" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7VsKg9w8N9OODThAnY6GioEY8u7_5b6np6JD4qzdPJVKr_l1_TQGyswsBnQdBLwuWVqamCxjUAjDG_3P3YumV59e1hsHg9pMUCw8jpr-isDxVcCjmP1ktIzTiDBrl6xddFKO1o1KY_XSsm3Pg2FuMB0saWA2-QjtQSOjVomTsvqbBNFDy4TZ738WYI1p/w640-h512/Cattle%20Egret105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret at Sumburgh</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A Death's Head Hawkmoth was rescued from a Lerwick taxi office and kindly displayed in a garden before later release. My only other sighting of this magnificent moth was in an ice-cream shop on the Isles of Scilly!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjEeQKT-ZvI4B2xg8OXwQ-QrTs1RoWJ-BJ54E35uIGPEbHGcRqMXqEsvSfM5jXuESIaaCf94ZjMBLrRHoQpLiz25zHoR-4fDrP_8hQYme6H4IFtn32enN4ZiyYlbryV9EPPuv6GzzbIkTFaKFxTxrxH6CrJyokGjOs80toHUKQ3uwkWAepDixtUQwba1n/s4032/4E0A9F04-8964-4D45-BF94-3DB44345CE37.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjEeQKT-ZvI4B2xg8OXwQ-QrTs1RoWJ-BJ54E35uIGPEbHGcRqMXqEsvSfM5jXuESIaaCf94ZjMBLrRHoQpLiz25zHoR-4fDrP_8hQYme6H4IFtn32enN4ZiyYlbryV9EPPuv6GzzbIkTFaKFxTxrxH6CrJyokGjOs80toHUKQ3uwkWAepDixtUQwba1n/w480-h640/4E0A9F04-8964-4D45-BF94-3DB44345CE37.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Death's Head Hawkmoth in Lerwick</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgME0wyp0qaWUGKMbVB6pi0MASjfUAZFT4V6N_3gCMY_JTVkwKdXr_NjDbRSL1WZUhphU92hT8-nrGCF4-QeD-OitYgIt2SjS4STvQi7T_WnxSPzQSc2yijqRowZoHi43AdZ59DJF0UgiSMwppkqUjhpw8SwYNsRRHnmMfIxmY9ZWq2s_wfv2SoKixbWWek/s2818/Eastern%20Subalp5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2818" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgME0wyp0qaWUGKMbVB6pi0MASjfUAZFT4V6N_3gCMY_JTVkwKdXr_NjDbRSL1WZUhphU92hT8-nrGCF4-QeD-OitYgIt2SjS4STvQi7T_WnxSPzQSc2yijqRowZoHi43AdZ59DJF0UgiSMwppkqUjhpw8SwYNsRRHnmMfIxmY9ZWq2s_wfv2SoKixbWWek/w640-h458/Eastern%20Subalp5.jpg" width="640" /></a>Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Wester Quarff</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TLvC37pyumi2jCdbuGH2mDxPrNobFgg8VMZ9iiPB2cgDc0L1qLKM_ikO1Ao7DsnI8oGJcPRZMLyVObTkze9trQldKsFr9yk6xyH45h5pGa9euohpC8L0BFP32Y6EaUf8m7WS5MpwhmlFpKEQvKi8Er2dYOPh1KfpS9ifi4jN6LGgblEtsf1w4pDsGGQN/s1087/Dotterel1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1087" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TLvC37pyumi2jCdbuGH2mDxPrNobFgg8VMZ9iiPB2cgDc0L1qLKM_ikO1Ao7DsnI8oGJcPRZMLyVObTkze9trQldKsFr9yk6xyH45h5pGa9euohpC8L0BFP32Y6EaUf8m7WS5MpwhmlFpKEQvKi8Er2dYOPh1KfpS9ifi4jN6LGgblEtsf1w4pDsGGQN/w640-h512/Dotterel1.jpg" width="640" /></a>Dotterel near Eshaness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWy-Zs16yRF-qW7vz6Dbk8L4Y-Q_bdpN0iyawAsZzk6fMTIYuia_H2Fu4nNq0jH5AXSXB7UhIbI4CA3BT9Yq1C6gnPJClwgYjPdOYZ93jW5BZpWkiv-2knN4DAkGmSFAqWYY-tMK6MHc-DYoo0MBSEc5owYrIOxEMLyRGBo66l44McZAx_NH1orv6GVZb/s1397/Short-toed%20Lark101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1397" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWy-Zs16yRF-qW7vz6Dbk8L4Y-Q_bdpN0iyawAsZzk6fMTIYuia_H2Fu4nNq0jH5AXSXB7UhIbI4CA3BT9Yq1C6gnPJClwgYjPdOYZ93jW5BZpWkiv-2knN4DAkGmSFAqWYY-tMK6MHc-DYoo0MBSEc5owYrIOxEMLyRGBo66l44McZAx_NH1orv6GVZb/w640-h458/Short-toed%20Lark101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Short-toed Lark, Scatness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCFAcfClumLTb9yoht_mgRtDTPzlNsS7r0kir-xw2ZW3zHFH7ytDnolc9LJCqY9XRjJylY6CSJYzisG5KCcihgoHbbx39BF_9EFPtOjPyDPWfEwRfjFXk5xk-FEhQvoRhdifHQQDQOEG4Aq6u8TwcXMxnuNXd2GjcR5EkB-wlMbh0t88QfA7EEExVloCA/s2246/SS103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1797" data-original-width="2246" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCFAcfClumLTb9yoht_mgRtDTPzlNsS7r0kir-xw2ZW3zHFH7ytDnolc9LJCqY9XRjJylY6CSJYzisG5KCcihgoHbbx39BF_9EFPtOjPyDPWfEwRfjFXk5xk-FEhQvoRhdifHQQDQOEG4Aq6u8TwcXMxnuNXd2GjcR5EkB-wlMbh0t88QfA7EEExVloCA/w640-h512/SS103.jpg" width="640" /></a>Siberian Stonechat, Lunna</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">A few days into the trip and news emerged of a White's Thrush on Bressay, the island just east of Lerwick and relatively easy to access. This was a bird I was very keen to see, having missed three on my previous Shetland visits, two arriving a day after I left, and one that I missed by five minutes. It was an early start in the dark for the first ferry, and then a short trek to the remote area of Gorie.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J-CvwjsvlHVOo-8UDal4XmWRWJP96-9LCd_BmFcxbCMYp82L4EA8iVHNsm4-aK5PWAAXLiAGTJ5zEUZRE3KZSBw3VTqcG_7J-US5NN-yuvUhVz5lHLWYiibvLsfmdHgiXUk8mxNmP9JpYr698Z8eVlNqSz4JJoWpwYkKVWOHuCwV8iCNh2ehDvvvr2vY/s3725/BFBF60C7-1275-4E1F-AB0A-AB7EC0ACAB03_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3725" data-original-width="2794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4J-CvwjsvlHVOo-8UDal4XmWRWJP96-9LCd_BmFcxbCMYp82L4EA8iVHNsm4-aK5PWAAXLiAGTJ5zEUZRE3KZSBw3VTqcG_7J-US5NN-yuvUhVz5lHLWYiibvLsfmdHgiXUk8mxNmP9JpYr698Z8eVlNqSz4JJoWpwYkKVWOHuCwV8iCNh2ehDvvvr2vY/w480-h640/BFBF60C7-1275-4E1F-AB0A-AB7EC0ACAB03_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The plantation at Gorie on Bressay</div><p style="text-align: left;">As it got light and the first ferry-load gathered around the plantation, and the first signs weren't good. The trees in the plantation where it was thought to have roosted were walked through twice but only a few Redwings and Blackbirds emerged, plus a single Hawfinch. Then a few people headed to the cottage and the White's Thrush exploded from the garden across into the plantation. It was spectacular in flight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_vCheEmCr9vNNZ1rUM76_xoEkXdQJBNUuYZAx4WSLutYSBFTA0iZit2HLaPDFUzhp1JNHQqPHc3Wxp683VaR0P5NEzSycUZVxMM0hd5g_Hbi0xodfV_GKw2LJW1fkRgnb6KPohjixz8PPDURV-81xT9IQOSlLwHFnSzhaE55uhClE5zu0F85cLLQBQOD/s2048/4E2FB6D6-828C-4032-B992-E2FD51BEB45D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_vCheEmCr9vNNZ1rUM76_xoEkXdQJBNUuYZAx4WSLutYSBFTA0iZit2HLaPDFUzhp1JNHQqPHc3Wxp683VaR0P5NEzSycUZVxMM0hd5g_Hbi0xodfV_GKw2LJW1fkRgnb6KPohjixz8PPDURV-81xT9IQOSlLwHFnSzhaE55uhClE5zu0F85cLLQBQOD/w640-h427/4E2FB6D6-828C-4032-B992-E2FD51BEB45D.jpeg" width="640" /></a>The White's Thrush making a close pass as it headed back into the plantation (pic: Neil Duggan)</div><p style="text-align: left;">Although it made a few flights out of the plantation and back, it was extremely hard to see on the ground, although in a couple of hours I managed to get a few decent views. I returned the next day in terrible conditions - high winds and rain, and it was just as elusive, although I did manage to get better views and a couple of shots by lying on the ground in the plantation!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24_vFPfBbzuym6pBWEf6QiTxYv5I0zaqpHBxB5PUE4ald3r0ynJ3-EcXWwCn6V836wMfRQlajmT3M0JXrbEI4Pl2qq77HpF0LwHoa_r2Hz9All8Lm-zT6WCORMsjlhG5daghlGz8fHT4Gix0qPfkeie40-srmv9y6bHjzCASlIpK4jr7tRZWrxw8y2yXG/s2298/White's%20Thrush1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1838" data-original-width="2298" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24_vFPfBbzuym6pBWEf6QiTxYv5I0zaqpHBxB5PUE4ald3r0ynJ3-EcXWwCn6V836wMfRQlajmT3M0JXrbEI4Pl2qq77HpF0LwHoa_r2Hz9All8Lm-zT6WCORMsjlhG5daghlGz8fHT4Gix0qPfkeie40-srmv9y6bHjzCASlIpK4jr7tRZWrxw8y2yXG/w640-h512/White's%20Thrush1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySKsU3Mt8HanIQbRQod6WxjY4xGEJuivh0DDWF9dMRV0Ybuok-jYmtDW6A8oVyavDgg9-1RzFe0oLTUzgMQObOcLuLmK3OQeY5M641BTZZgac-zEFGm5z6g-N4wPyqps8niJi4A1i_9Gqk_bqdCoUujTzsYJXhc82EnLykbQRuVE8IffClbZf8bwmcQxn/s1520/White's%20Thrush3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1520" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySKsU3Mt8HanIQbRQod6WxjY4xGEJuivh0DDWF9dMRV0Ybuok-jYmtDW6A8oVyavDgg9-1RzFe0oLTUzgMQObOcLuLmK3OQeY5M641BTZZgac-zEFGm5z6g-N4wPyqps8niJi4A1i_9Gqk_bqdCoUujTzsYJXhc82EnLykbQRuVE8IffClbZf8bwmcQxn/w640-h458/White's%20Thrush3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">White's Thrush - one of my most wanted Shetland specialities</div><p style="text-align: left;">The last couple of days were relatively quiet, with a few Yellow-browed Warblers seen, and this showy Barred Warbler:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBCibNzBlgrsgoiGnwx8pSnGCYuVWKKjO9j2qAwvYV9Il08A7CRDD11dkuAeJtJq2z0IVvAYBD2YLah5L2zQ5rapcVg5udKvKzAUFFfT7oUnl3mYaG4qibK1m7gt_1w2kUH7eUcFU9CbjWBj2mj0PdMvrAGXJiIx0hbqu1ovupT7RIHsSfXX7PVhOZstC/s2367/Barred%20Warbler101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2367" data-original-width="2367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBCibNzBlgrsgoiGnwx8pSnGCYuVWKKjO9j2qAwvYV9Il08A7CRDD11dkuAeJtJq2z0IVvAYBD2YLah5L2zQ5rapcVg5udKvKzAUFFfT7oUnl3mYaG4qibK1m7gt_1w2kUH7eUcFU9CbjWBj2mj0PdMvrAGXJiIx0hbqu1ovupT7RIHsSfXX7PVhOZstC/w640-h640/Barred%20Warbler101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8U56DbZTGsyhiKnQVdlx-PrXbjZ0Jzk5PezloH4TPtE6JgCSYVpkxizhSB5r6qCAK7cio5hPv1APJvEJHF8Chq8sCvJ0QzA2re5MLP7ShfFvsduKG0bVvQj255DlFjosF6d5kM2ndaktoASrSNXN1E_B5O322citQnaFMziykW2cOluhKkBnHAo2mBeg/s3150/Barred%20Warbler102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3150" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8U56DbZTGsyhiKnQVdlx-PrXbjZ0Jzk5PezloH4TPtE6JgCSYVpkxizhSB5r6qCAK7cio5hPv1APJvEJHF8Chq8sCvJ0QzA2re5MLP7ShfFvsduKG0bVvQj255DlFjosF6d5kM2ndaktoASrSNXN1E_B5O322citQnaFMziykW2cOluhKkBnHAo2mBeg/w640-h512/Barred%20Warbler102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Barred Warbler, Wester Quarff</div><p style="text-align: left;">A Blyth's Reed Warbler, only my second, was found on the north Mainland:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbNViO86pdwJnncrgZyS21uvXvjDluJGMRNGmnECIGrA4HDn2GrGNG2sOp6ZAKjMEWBe3E19UhKOCr8a4Epb0Fk5kbpgnnjU114at1KLS3akOJUOm84lLkPtm_MlXIIGahpB4D73_ecEYmvXimKLBq4VoG3b6HS3cuQaRRK6BE55YTddpwdlX5tHq4K4d/s1616/BRW1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1616" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbNViO86pdwJnncrgZyS21uvXvjDluJGMRNGmnECIGrA4HDn2GrGNG2sOp6ZAKjMEWBe3E19UhKOCr8a4Epb0Fk5kbpgnnjU114at1KLS3akOJUOm84lLkPtm_MlXIIGahpB4D73_ecEYmvXimKLBq4VoG3b6HS3cuQaRRK6BE55YTddpwdlX5tHq4K4d/w640-h512/BRW1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blyth's Reed Warbler, Ronas Voe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Despite a full and gruelling search of Ronas Hill there was no sight of the Snowy Owl, where I had seen one a couple of years previously, despite it being seen the day before. It was probably moved on by a group of shepherds gathering sheep over the wide area that morning. We thought we had found it, in a hollow just as I had seen my last one here, in fact this was almost in the exact same location. We were looking at it about a mile away though, and I wasn't convinced this was it so we had to get closer, and closer, and closer still. Only when we were about 100 metres away could we conclusively identify it as the whitest rock on Shetland! Damn.</span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsnLVB2ZBoDzVybWxEl-_WD4Xhq3PwkcuyEuzkoVdoqLGgDIme5og3SiHiTjZfVXB9j-4bMwUl-3kt1cxnAKfpGGDvuI2c-Seosh3J6y0O9wc_ZChp2wIek0jjv__Tj1R9lplIHLEyqJfNGLPRdhBv8ek_QyinnmWND2UA465rgqr0P-zTORc1GbwGeKt/s3862/DSC_7231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="3862" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsnLVB2ZBoDzVybWxEl-_WD4Xhq3PwkcuyEuzkoVdoqLGgDIme5og3SiHiTjZfVXB9j-4bMwUl-3kt1cxnAKfpGGDvuI2c-Seosh3J6y0O9wc_ZChp2wIek0jjv__Tj1R9lplIHLEyqJfNGLPRdhBv8ek_QyinnmWND2UA465rgqr0P-zTORc1GbwGeKt/w640-h458/DSC_7231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Snowy Owl shaped rock!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3yqDfPWnuo7lHuHlDWKUzCKAZPyGGaOe1sft7Eh1LnoPjQPt4Hs_qgQ8zG-0LY6h5qTRUok6if8Uvv0xk5x1w-F_6xN-unmvl6ZYkLSyE5gRmluvjCMhzngsvPFR4MwnTy7eCxhea-4AfQcBrqotahpVXaySq7tUWmIDschSbZhwvpQzE_l5qhebNc2f/s4032/89EE98C0-1600-4E3D-83EC-BE10E697906B.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3yqDfPWnuo7lHuHlDWKUzCKAZPyGGaOe1sft7Eh1LnoPjQPt4Hs_qgQ8zG-0LY6h5qTRUok6if8Uvv0xk5x1w-F_6xN-unmvl6ZYkLSyE5gRmluvjCMhzngsvPFR4MwnTy7eCxhea-4AfQcBrqotahpVXaySq7tUWmIDschSbZhwvpQzE_l5qhebNc2f/w480-h640/89EE98C0-1600-4E3D-83EC-BE10E697906B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ronas Hill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg191brVZq-E9KbWHoueWIC5Q8GiqTF9rI_nNbkAKYYBBHCOm6W2wr97YATXcwHviKXZWJog_6_8MgwnJs93qZ0C4Ta6bMGK9MMgy837p6UC_-bIf6BbOr6XWV-OxzNLZttHo0CDgpe7NeOs44Gud76Q4rF-eMlzKk96WI44IgDFCl6GGy_Vk1o5QdWa7W1/s3394/Mountain%20Hare1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2715" data-original-width="3394" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg191brVZq-E9KbWHoueWIC5Q8GiqTF9rI_nNbkAKYYBBHCOm6W2wr97YATXcwHviKXZWJog_6_8MgwnJs93qZ0C4Ta6bMGK9MMgy837p6UC_-bIf6BbOr6XWV-OxzNLZttHo0CDgpe7NeOs44Gud76Q4rF-eMlzKk96WI44IgDFCl6GGy_Vk1o5QdWa7W1/w640-h512/Mountain%20Hare1.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Mountain Hare, Ronas Hill</span></div><p style="text-align: left;">The White's Thrush was certainly my highlight of the trip, closely followed by the Veery. Birds missed included the Snowy Owl, River Warbler, Greenish Warbler (found by Tom Lee) and Arctic Redpoll (one found by Roy Twigg). It was a great week, with some great birds and birders. Thanks to all those that found stuff and shared it. Hoping to be back in '24!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFB8QQQOkQv_wLLbTq5OufW59tFTlex8ngj494ydS_wuADlijvR-08qvv_391SGL-dtZy5myvkyxMin6g0DsXtcj6hwqvP5lkoR1S_Jf6HdCzQ-iy3uHTgzRyBfYEixphtGr9OcVmUR14nXkQl8L9vCC0oDJsRQg8LHs-og8kTgMf0eFvwWAJ3FsspnjJ/s3855/F247EA35-5F34-4C8E-82D1-11E33C90E459_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="3855" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFB8QQQOkQv_wLLbTq5OufW59tFTlex8ngj494ydS_wuADlijvR-08qvv_391SGL-dtZy5myvkyxMin6g0DsXtcj6hwqvP5lkoR1S_Jf6HdCzQ-iy3uHTgzRyBfYEixphtGr9OcVmUR14nXkQl8L9vCC0oDJsRQg8LHs-og8kTgMf0eFvwWAJ3FsspnjJ/w640-h480/F247EA35-5F34-4C8E-82D1-11E33C90E459_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Thanks for looking!</p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-41495953738727852972023-11-07T14:09:00.000-08:002023-11-07T14:09:43.453-08:00Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, East Yorkshire<p>On Monday 25th September I took advantage of a half day off work when a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was found at Blacktoft Sands. Less than an hour away, I was soon on my way minutes after it was reported and on arrival I squeezed into a packed hide and the bird was showing well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YGfgPo9rcMq7yUt7R_aREN19QQuASGglX9IxzqKWFDhtPXLfF6UYF5oi6keKn2LXB-PjLpt5casJTEwgxte1IR7lGV6pOWWMYCZitTCYabj-_M9gpcuwA8YTOx-CEVm9104Fjnr9rORfXQjKIKsk9SV-rHI1FzjpOVw81f0xHfH23RNL8gRPALzPjXam/s1766/Sharp-tailed%20Sandpiper1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1766" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YGfgPo9rcMq7yUt7R_aREN19QQuASGglX9IxzqKWFDhtPXLfF6UYF5oi6keKn2LXB-PjLpt5casJTEwgxte1IR7lGV6pOWWMYCZitTCYabj-_M9gpcuwA8YTOx-CEVm9104Fjnr9rORfXQjKIKsk9SV-rHI1FzjpOVw81f0xHfH23RNL8gRPALzPjXam/w640-h456/Sharp-tailed%20Sandpiper1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_KZPOt7jGdi0XSt9wy3G0IJYG_lgf_reTJ3zPTV2sTxZ1kcv4Lteygi61TXrwbstN-BNHKUcqT9jW2Dsfzd7PvIqRcjStHaDWEnD-Wt5TV0IRu1ZbxlfMvHe5wB6vGMqf_ceA3RUz9Vnlq93Llb5iKsRP9RIi8MAXFCWGVYIw6X6VPGJ_cj76eBa_TLQ/s1944/Sharp-tailed%20Sandpiper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="1944" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_KZPOt7jGdi0XSt9wy3G0IJYG_lgf_reTJ3zPTV2sTxZ1kcv4Lteygi61TXrwbstN-BNHKUcqT9jW2Dsfzd7PvIqRcjStHaDWEnD-Wt5TV0IRu1ZbxlfMvHe5wB6vGMqf_ceA3RUz9Vnlq93Llb5iKsRP9RIi8MAXFCWGVYIw6X6VPGJ_cj76eBa_TLQ/w640-h458/Sharp-tailed%20Sandpiper2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (and Curlew Sandpiper), Blacktoft Sands, East Yorkshire</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A breeding bird of east Siberia, this long range migrant winters in SE Asia and Australia. The rich chestnut cap, one of the main features of this species, was very obvious. It's not often you get to see a new bird within an hour of home. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for looking.</div>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-86445125056252036702023-10-18T11:18:00.200-07:002023-10-18T12:55:22.097-07:00South Wales - Twice in Three Memorable September Days<p>I've been meaning to reprise this blog for a while, and it seems fitting to do it by documenting a sensational few days on the coast of South-west Wales in September 2023.</p><p>On my train back from a stint working in London on the evening of Wednesday 20th September, news was filtering through of Britain's second Magnolia Warbler, a spectacular American bird, which had been found on St Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire that afternoon. By the time I'd got back to Sheffield at 10.30pm I'd decided that an attempt had to be made to see this bird. These types of American warbler have largely only previously been seen on the extremities of the UK in the Isles of Scilly, Shetland or the Hebrides. It was unusual to find one on the mainland, so while it was a long way, it seemed a great opportunity to try to connect with this rarity. As the Magnolia Warbler had, later in the evening, been reported as appearing to go to roost at the same site, there was a good chance of locating it again the next morning at dawn. Once home, a quick shower and gathering of birding gear and I was driving down to South Wales just after midnight.</p><p>The plan was to arrive in the early hours and get an hours sleep before heading out at daybreak. It was a clear night during the drive south which was worrying - would the warbler carry on migrating? When I got to the car park at around 4.30am, there already around 60 cars present, and others arriving all the time! People were out in the dark chatting away, so there was no chance of sleep.</p><p>With the faintest sign of daylight, around 200 birders descended into the small valley to the south of the car park. Everyone took a place on the slope opposite the site it had been appeared to go to roost. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUNWNYideYSdDjVDDpA8zRGRGk9_tBHOCFnEUSM7RVnu-WC8vvEtuwhoMMdEsOWqpMAQ1dVNmu3nAlNlWkTc_L94K9y8kfc3eHwi_7AwRd_UT_iz7rmBwivd3CTQYvdMp63ldraFiNA9wbTBE3zcHiQ6y7_xF7duCkaQI_DY_82Ni0i8Lr20TmqoiAaWU/s4032/35E58D35-B74D-447A-8E79-F3BE5AD0F237.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUNWNYideYSdDjVDDpA8zRGRGk9_tBHOCFnEUSM7RVnu-WC8vvEtuwhoMMdEsOWqpMAQ1dVNmu3nAlNlWkTc_L94K9y8kfc3eHwi_7AwRd_UT_iz7rmBwivd3CTQYvdMp63ldraFiNA9wbTBE3zcHiQ6y7_xF7duCkaQI_DY_82Ni0i8Lr20TmqoiAaWU/w480-h640/35E58D35-B74D-447A-8E79-F3BE5AD0F237.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p>Within minutes someone behind me had located a bird with a thermal image camera, it was sat preening in the dark. As more light emerged, a nearby telescope was on the bird and within minutes bright yellow tones could be seen through the gloom - it was almost certainly the Magnolia Warbler. The bird was confirmed shortly afterwards as it showed regularly up and down the north side of the valley in the early morning sun. After an hour or so it moved to a location nearer the car park, where it stayed most of the day until relocating a few hundred metres further north, an area it then stayed in for several days.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYoXbsy89Npc6z2T621qpbEvfNJMo8aZvk2DrV4wGRriRtJ2i-hAVJtW_OfvKISxpMVTDANq1edd378W8zM1Qic-DftrQnFZKD0C8wFuQnHeXOlkoGY3XDd2I2mjVTF95W9xyQDGN1CZali07RIHuBnNIKylVZZ6PCHXUTyNwws-NNkyDKURO26lESXUT/s1800/Magnolia%20Warbler1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYoXbsy89Npc6z2T621qpbEvfNJMo8aZvk2DrV4wGRriRtJ2i-hAVJtW_OfvKISxpMVTDANq1edd378W8zM1Qic-DftrQnFZKD0C8wFuQnHeXOlkoGY3XDd2I2mjVTF95W9xyQDGN1CZali07RIHuBnNIKylVZZ6PCHXUTyNwws-NNkyDKURO26lESXUT/w640-h512/Magnolia%20Warbler1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamEKrSN1kaP6HhNbYjYs-nvfP6lhFUlEOkLHW_buvwHzWJq7CsuiDyDbl0TiKhD1bownPZ723oy-VtedtR_mp8R2w2hJlb4kybwANnHbZLBdSnXMBtnFRH7jXkvcKVh2TzmIFEtDhKPk0qmOke0nD_MOtkdAEopE_ZDhscF5n3utGA0sKE9yPyg6_p7ym/s1756/Magnolia%20Warbler2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="1756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamEKrSN1kaP6HhNbYjYs-nvfP6lhFUlEOkLHW_buvwHzWJq7CsuiDyDbl0TiKhD1bownPZ723oy-VtedtR_mp8R2w2hJlb4kybwANnHbZLBdSnXMBtnFRH7jXkvcKVh2TzmIFEtDhKPk0qmOke0nD_MOtkdAEopE_ZDhscF5n3utGA0sKE9yPyg6_p7ym/w640-h640/Magnolia%20Warbler2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddfIAdUk4M5XtD0DqqiRHf-z_bORO7407LW5_drmQne3Jn4MWVxMM7A_kP6oRJPVM5nPdtmomdlbYXEx2Zb5OMtZELNy2129JoNZNZcrgZRbJajlDFUfliJVaWE5vkwU_nRZCPp9tpnIbPW89GaB4dBmu-14nVO2MU-bBWaMTHqZZWzkBe3SKucEyo5ba/s1687/Magnolia%20Warbler3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1687" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddfIAdUk4M5XtD0DqqiRHf-z_bORO7407LW5_drmQne3Jn4MWVxMM7A_kP6oRJPVM5nPdtmomdlbYXEx2Zb5OMtZELNy2129JoNZNZcrgZRbJajlDFUfliJVaWE5vkwU_nRZCPp9tpnIbPW89GaB4dBmu-14nVO2MU-bBWaMTHqZZWzkBe3SKucEyo5ba/w640-h512/Magnolia%20Warbler3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepqgTmysWyG4YP0-OZEwjM2z0ZQuuSLEyvqFCH4ZtwnClVEA80fVCpfp5QQ1uhfIYrkFQITiXrB2fCJWL5UyGlDX1H9S7xbIVecrbpMWOAHooSfbltZlqI7sk27NoaHvC4zOunUENuX4qaNVRhgajoh_BKQ54TF3J3HXYyu6fmCs5XjLRKmuObyp2eZVL/s1796/Magnolia%20Warbler4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1796" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepqgTmysWyG4YP0-OZEwjM2z0ZQuuSLEyvqFCH4ZtwnClVEA80fVCpfp5QQ1uhfIYrkFQITiXrB2fCJWL5UyGlDX1H9S7xbIVecrbpMWOAHooSfbltZlqI7sk27NoaHvC4zOunUENuX4qaNVRhgajoh_BKQ54TF3J3HXYyu6fmCs5XjLRKmuObyp2eZVL/w640-h512/Magnolia%20Warbler4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The magnificent Magnolia Warbler</div><p>This was a superb bird to see, but during the morning it became evident this individual was part of an unusual influx of North American passerines, probably never seen before in terms of the actual volume of birds being found within a few days. Over the next few hours, news soon emerged of other North American birds being unearthed: a Bay-breasted Warbler on nearby Ramsey Island (for only the second time in the UK), an Alder Flycatcher on Skokholm, and a Black and White Warbler in North Wales, all extreme rarities. </p><p>As the other birds seemed inaccessible due to weather conditions stopping any organisation of boats to the various islands, I drove back to Sheffield content with such a great morning in South Wales.</p><p>I managed a normal nights sleep and worked the following day on Friday. Things soon changed though when I received a call from a fellow Sheffield birder who had somehow managed to get hold of three tickets on one of only four boats going to Ramsey Island the next day on the Saturday for the Bay-breasted Warbler. This seemed like an opportunity not to be missed. After rearranging weekend plans I was back in a car heading overnight for South Wales again with Roy and Malcolm! For the second time in a week Malcolm had abandoned his family holiday on the Yorkshire coast to head to South Wales.</p><p>We arrived at St Justinians on the South-West coast of Wales around 4am and managed a little sleep before waking at 7am to a beautiful morning. Birders were gathering around the famous lifeboat station, but the first boat wasn't due to leave until 9.30am. Those waiting were delighted to hear news that the warbler was still present across the water on Ramsey Island, and this meant a more relaxing wait was as we enjoyed a lovely Wryneck on the nearby coastal path.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkYI5g-ppIEZIRwV_gOWQWxnqdB9UHOo222ASbIZGY9nZpSo1pRiMdz4PFnVEyPGmg9aCc84cawRq_ZKd5ZgEVdJExaXWi7XXTA81xg7Ibh3CyFySaUtp02YZprgxDnKkUzUof-_r7C_gpbyZfj-YZeR7CW1z6AcRLDIOxV-fNLrSRWde3tuyug89JY0c/s1813/Wryneck101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1813" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkYI5g-ppIEZIRwV_gOWQWxnqdB9UHOo222ASbIZGY9nZpSo1pRiMdz4PFnVEyPGmg9aCc84cawRq_ZKd5ZgEVdJExaXWi7XXTA81xg7Ibh3CyFySaUtp02YZprgxDnKkUzUof-_r7C_gpbyZfj-YZeR7CW1z6AcRLDIOxV-fNLrSRWde3tuyug89JY0c/w640-h512/Wryneck101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was soon time to begin what seemed like a military operation to get the first 40+ down the lifeboat slipway and onto a relatively small boat. After two roll-calls and a lot of instructions, we were away and the crossing only took about 15 minutes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgFP3yde7PQBeE273EGtLLYyFkO2t9sSoThI_F7UrD4EWKwiVlWplDZUbeq2npx68k26ihKHwvDWe19-L8n1uFkntvuKn-f5c62telzpTNrb1dcKnYQp7ZR5hTCFAJvoEzArvclrPvfjX0KT7ywHdY0Bu33BUyZdVF-Tl7ftJ09WShAnPQuwNSM7u-O5_/s4032/331C0DFD-5C38-4E77-93D4-DC950960F0B4.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgFP3yde7PQBeE273EGtLLYyFkO2t9sSoThI_F7UrD4EWKwiVlWplDZUbeq2npx68k26ihKHwvDWe19-L8n1uFkntvuKn-f5c62telzpTNrb1dcKnYQp7ZR5hTCFAJvoEzArvclrPvfjX0KT7ywHdY0Bu33BUyZdVF-Tl7ftJ09WShAnPQuwNSM7u-O5_/w480-h640/331C0DFD-5C38-4E77-93D4-DC950960F0B4.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGoToQmFB8457zI4t7UoUvi1GG0tKODfgP2d2oSg_RNHYUlqQsrugAaJWk1-I9PhQaNqqlCnAvo_KZ56BtsOhpEbpvRoBtQZVMR8DgtCiSECOOy5947rEJnyBrmXYT8ExtYHmB7rItjJOg2fGITYudTsxTXWlOR1jXrMJJ2itu6c1qJ9oXorqCfEJRAnm/s4032/2D7D8FB2-C12B-4B9F-917F-8C95ABECEB51.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGoToQmFB8457zI4t7UoUvi1GG0tKODfgP2d2oSg_RNHYUlqQsrugAaJWk1-I9PhQaNqqlCnAvo_KZ56BtsOhpEbpvRoBtQZVMR8DgtCiSECOOy5947rEJnyBrmXYT8ExtYHmB7rItjJOg2fGITYudTsxTXWlOR1jXrMJJ2itu6c1qJ9oXorqCfEJRAnm/w640-h480/2D7D8FB2-C12B-4B9F-917F-8C95ABECEB51.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLrlKKW82oZxbieFsTXeIppKgQvy-qenP-ptQMYEjMBlPerKAilInZjLaQglbYj7LDELZ9Ovwu5TDr9ptlr-Uk-woGDh_Y6po1njs0_O7S6gCA-_Q7l4XjkIZHAYpmDUMJSZwlZWlepK71DndLG48A-kKA0I25F5QdTPgPBdmKY9h4vVECKuflOWPVMna/s4032/6EB49D8F-02DD-4D42-B239-53AAA7B5573F.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLrlKKW82oZxbieFsTXeIppKgQvy-qenP-ptQMYEjMBlPerKAilInZjLaQglbYj7LDELZ9Ovwu5TDr9ptlr-Uk-woGDh_Y6po1njs0_O7S6gCA-_Q7l4XjkIZHAYpmDUMJSZwlZWlepK71DndLG48A-kKA0I25F5QdTPgPBdmKY9h4vVECKuflOWPVMna/w480-h640/6EB49D8F-02DD-4D42-B239-53AAA7B5573F.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyKjaPSuaZd01gQ9AR5DTTLKkQ89nccPxBZbognhYFgDT63Q1jz2ztvHQoDf9JkW52UFz3nVdb-nWAZDk-3QrknWLXHg29U0PSFMmx7e9Ey_pVBIqAfua-K8vO8hByYXwjJ1G9TgtxhTuLVU34veBuYeiX3WAabdT-t3COszOvpHl2ei5mmZ1q3ZINdRa/s4032/2A46F16E-BF52-48D4-AFD0-6F604364DCDF.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyKjaPSuaZd01gQ9AR5DTTLKkQ89nccPxBZbognhYFgDT63Q1jz2ztvHQoDf9JkW52UFz3nVdb-nWAZDk-3QrknWLXHg29U0PSFMmx7e9Ey_pVBIqAfua-K8vO8hByYXwjJ1G9TgtxhTuLVU34veBuYeiX3WAabdT-t3COszOvpHl2ei5mmZ1q3ZINdRa/w480-h640/2A46F16E-BF52-48D4-AFD0-6F604364DCDF.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiDKOLm_3ia-aNlvCgmlWLNqatDvcyh0hZ08Y5ZPZYFMbt54roBVAtn1q_SaEuS_hobKr9pSqJIhGe6pBmRrmdL69zBI07S-AiQIAmfODWQlG1HPWp91N31w9NrmBCE3vTFhyphenhyphena_Q2muDbQcI3X3dRcZO9YAB2JVP5x3XrNTNO9k7JmZm8cHuNHdFN4l2y/s2048/82C71D2B-97F0-4A53-B717-8BF7DC469671.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOErhMgNZy7sAG8BAMFlZoZKYinIoLlgMJ8EY-k8dg9u5cSAfrXctdg3yJnt3WB_VJT6bbQeRMoESzST8cPt09allJmN9UHEOFs-y-hj72rc65TgRHdd9Z8X2j3hBbUAQ3A2UL7VRYupyprlEp6OJQeT9yRTJnWUBCzpK1AznnN3oZ65VZ2yx2WKbT5tV/s4032/7372117A-8433-4488-A29E-64A34C04B381.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOErhMgNZy7sAG8BAMFlZoZKYinIoLlgMJ8EY-k8dg9u5cSAfrXctdg3yJnt3WB_VJT6bbQeRMoESzST8cPt09allJmN9UHEOFs-y-hj72rc65TgRHdd9Z8X2j3hBbUAQ3A2UL7VRYupyprlEp6OJQeT9yRTJnWUBCzpK1AznnN3oZ65VZ2yx2WKbT5tV/w300-h400/7372117A-8433-4488-A29E-64A34C04B381.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiDKOLm_3ia-aNlvCgmlWLNqatDvcyh0hZ08Y5ZPZYFMbt54roBVAtn1q_SaEuS_hobKr9pSqJIhGe6pBmRrmdL69zBI07S-AiQIAmfODWQlG1HPWp91N31w9NrmBCE3vTFhyphenhyphena_Q2muDbQcI3X3dRcZO9YAB2JVP5x3XrNTNO9k7JmZm8cHuNHdFN4l2y/w640-h480/82C71D2B-97F0-4A53-B717-8BF7DC469671.jpeg" width="640" /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />During the short crossing, word got around that amazingly a Canada Warbler had just been found that morning at St Govan's Head, not far from the location of the Magnolia Warbler. As a first for Britain, this was arguably a more significant bird than the one about to be seen. Everyone had the same idea - see the Bay-breasted Warbler then leave the island as soon as possible and head back to St Govan's Head. This plan was, however, parked for a while as the bird on Ramsey Island had to be found first. <div><br /></div><div>On disembarking onto Ramsey Island, there was a short climb up the path to the area where the bird was seen about 30 minutes before. After a tense 40 minute wait, the bird appeared in some Willows and was very mobile, giving brief views on and off for 10 minutes. Then it suddenly flew over our heads and paused briefly nearby, posing nicely only meters from the visiting birders, and giving great views before moving back to its favoured area.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nSFl0ukuNSjCmleaa0UfNqAOK3TvahvzYPTaHqsl7C6wh__PojYcNEVe2HhuMnSHGhyH3qM0BvBRatprjEnB-cTC_GXDiH5AQNCkwJw083LBG_MJj4MJ5qVEXhULsKa6qgZlZ1v0caYwQTCiTKH_P3vKlQTZX8DBmCpYeJ37l7RUZRAcJkAyNxdWZsIN/s1914/Bay-breasted%20Warbler1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1914" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nSFl0ukuNSjCmleaa0UfNqAOK3TvahvzYPTaHqsl7C6wh__PojYcNEVe2HhuMnSHGhyH3qM0BvBRatprjEnB-cTC_GXDiH5AQNCkwJw083LBG_MJj4MJ5qVEXhULsKa6qgZlZ1v0caYwQTCiTKH_P3vKlQTZX8DBmCpYeJ37l7RUZRAcJkAyNxdWZsIN/w640-h458/Bay-breasted%20Warbler1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpHip9vY6m6HBKyL2_hH5WRDZRXyupbZbPweVRjBFMB9MbLW7dciJLq-IvTiCyqToxvgl8tzfYjB1dVQ2nNXTtkaLrte2FO3uQUVCiAhosB3OppE1xcz9YBKyhWUWmdKVnoMWJVaPcZwag4oicWVaANaSp69GzrwuUDOdLkyxM5pBQHWNmroyuUAgokaG/s1875/Bay-breasted%20Warbler2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1875" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpHip9vY6m6HBKyL2_hH5WRDZRXyupbZbPweVRjBFMB9MbLW7dciJLq-IvTiCyqToxvgl8tzfYjB1dVQ2nNXTtkaLrte2FO3uQUVCiAhosB3OppE1xcz9YBKyhWUWmdKVnoMWJVaPcZwag4oicWVaANaSp69GzrwuUDOdLkyxM5pBQHWNmroyuUAgokaG/w640-h512/Bay-breasted%20Warbler2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXlOLIHZJpGxuaFSccWRvs8ZbRrgGnUBOhIWJ3wA3Cl_LyymxecnV2mbLra_944qAJm6ATxDIdqbJ4z08XDbh2WU7urinhl_h-Xi98xnjwHMJrkL_ct-HXhyphenhyphenbbxD8L5wcubl9-wl0zbeYj2Sntkzn3VrkwY4LNJqxUceyO_xV9fbRWB1k-RuqOCehQmjj/s1737/Bay-breasted%20Warbler3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1737" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXlOLIHZJpGxuaFSccWRvs8ZbRrgGnUBOhIWJ3wA3Cl_LyymxecnV2mbLra_944qAJm6ATxDIdqbJ4z08XDbh2WU7urinhl_h-Xi98xnjwHMJrkL_ct-HXhyphenhyphenbbxD8L5wcubl9-wl0zbeYj2Sntkzn3VrkwY4LNJqxUceyO_xV9fbRWB1k-RuqOCehQmjj/w640-h512/Bay-breasted%20Warbler3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Such a great bird, and it was a shame not to be able to spend more time on the island. By the time it showed well, a second boat had arrived on the island and everyone now wanted to leave, but there were no boats off. I felt sorry for the Ramsey Island staff and volunteers who had worked hard to give access and opened the cafe for the visitors. I'm sure that most were understanding why people were as keen to get off the island as they were to get on. Hopefully the revenue from the boats would have made it worth their while. Only four boats were allowed to cross during the day, so around 160 birders got to see this mega rarity. Weather conditions meant further crossings couldn't be made on subsequent days, and the bird departed before the storms had ceased.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the Ramsey Island quay, thoughts now turned to getting back to the mainland and seeing the Canada Warbler. There was an agonising hour wait for a boat off the island, then a further 30 minutes for the next one as our party of three had been split up. This meant we were behind the crowd in leaving St Justinians for the 45 minute drive to St Gowan's head. Arriving at the site, it was chaos on the small road where around 200 cars were attempting to get in and out of the car park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where the bird was being seen, inside a group of dense trees, it was very difficult to say the least. People were climbing trees to get a viewing advantage; it was chaos as there was no room to move even when it was located. It was being seen briefly but the dense trees and foliage meant most of the 150 inside the area were struggling to see anything. Someone said they had been there three hours without seeing it and I immediately lost all confidence of seeing the Canada Warbler. After about an hour I got lucky as rather than chasing the bird around when it was seen, I stuck to a small area in the hope it would move back into the immediate area in front of me. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw Roy waving at me, and he kindly beckoned me over a few metres when he had the warbler straight ahead. I then got spectacular, if brief, views of the Canada Warbler, a bird new to Britain and Ireland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yd-BislcVgfUvz6AteyVSza2AvgD-Uyie-4DGdFpJ835xEyn5kjfViTjyjlmxFpVi-6jNnhwnvbHjTZFsw5xd4mnlG_mHE0cP6iuTc63yOn_X2w3vqQi6UliW6CkKXxZLfqU48ExMBslh0p4KhusLAloeqfvrb4DIt5tovhINlUnDZuIYx-Svt977Asz/s4032/520C663B-BEAA-43AC-84DD-E623E09AE59B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yd-BislcVgfUvz6AteyVSza2AvgD-Uyie-4DGdFpJ835xEyn5kjfViTjyjlmxFpVi-6jNnhwnvbHjTZFsw5xd4mnlG_mHE0cP6iuTc63yOn_X2w3vqQi6UliW6CkKXxZLfqU48ExMBslh0p4KhusLAloeqfvrb4DIt5tovhINlUnDZuIYx-Svt977Asz/w640-h480/520C663B-BEAA-43AC-84DD-E623E09AE59B.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All three of us had seen the bird, so we soon decided to call it a day, and start the long journey back to Sheffield. Although very tired, we were elated. What a day; not only had we connected with the target bird, but seen a 'first' all in the same day. I can't really think of a better or more memorable days rarity birding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The BirdGuides app for the day illustrates what an amazing time it was for trans-Atlantic vagrants to the UK:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd0NUjiGxrFUKahmugM9xAksDqfX1BRHuqjZQThVefBU7kHLopwaf-KCyPZQi17heQbHKjwKuLi0CodEHVAsMEkp33mT4kfrvArM7gfm4xXEBr40kozSl7J7CroXhBUPcH67eM0DyUYdzvOonO5xuiwtnnu00dOiI-_9piSu8HZAMci6keaVb5LJf8Mmh/s1792/8E203683-141C-417D-8D7C-B94DEB8DD8FA_1_102_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd0NUjiGxrFUKahmugM9xAksDqfX1BRHuqjZQThVefBU7kHLopwaf-KCyPZQi17heQbHKjwKuLi0CodEHVAsMEkp33mT4kfrvArM7gfm4xXEBr40kozSl7J7CroXhBUPcH67eM0DyUYdzvOonO5xuiwtnnu00dOiI-_9piSu8HZAMci6keaVb5LJf8Mmh/w254-h552/8E203683-141C-417D-8D7C-B94DEB8DD8FA_1_102_o.jpeg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhing4d604lNzBrrJB4mHRRNcq0JpZd7HNgT9TCnx4slTnBumwM3Q2oq_vTxqAG3vTwsaT5paNC4D8Kv6DVvfysnYRpBAO7W5QmPBVaaw0buiJrcO7_anSz6cTVCl3LpEx02PCz9yQan9ghyphenhyphenffb-LFQpMNzmSZWiy1dUjb2ww8Vs7tT0rRM-so1P64wIz07/s1792/29F1E3FB-53A6-4E72-A88A-3BB6D63B95FD_1_102_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhing4d604lNzBrrJB4mHRRNcq0JpZd7HNgT9TCnx4slTnBumwM3Q2oq_vTxqAG3vTwsaT5paNC4D8Kv6DVvfysnYRpBAO7W5QmPBVaaw0buiJrcO7_anSz6cTVCl3LpEx02PCz9yQan9ghyphenhyphenffb-LFQpMNzmSZWiy1dUjb2ww8Vs7tT0rRM-so1P64wIz07/w247-h537/29F1E3FB-53A6-4E72-A88A-3BB6D63B95FD_1_102_o.jpeg" width="247" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for visiting the blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-86975632026015430082021-10-18T14:03:00.003-07:002021-10-18T14:03:51.816-07:00May 2021 - East Coast Rarities<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Northern Mockingbird - Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, May 2021</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g56vCB-yiP0/YW3bOpnH15I/AAAAAAAACyo/C98emXSKAcsdb5u7KSTJVXwE3ueApYGfACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/NB2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1639" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g56vCB-yiP0/YW3bOpnH15I/AAAAAAAACyo/C98emXSKAcsdb5u7KSTJVXwE3ueApYGfACLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/NB2.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueK79Epb5X4/YW3bWXru-lI/AAAAAAAACys/8-kY-qUas-sdwYYTohrPwa9iuJ1W_UCHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/NB3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ueK79Epb5X4/YW3bWXru-lI/AAAAAAAACys/8-kY-qUas-sdwYYTohrPwa9iuJ1W_UCHQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/NB3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RxD0A3vZsU/YW3bZq6WnxI/AAAAAAAACyw/rVHy5QS5HvYWFjLyQ_SDs-EGM6_rljrCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1957/NB1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1957" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RxD0A3vZsU/YW3bZq6WnxI/AAAAAAAACyw/rVHy5QS5HvYWFjLyQ_SDs-EGM6_rljrCACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/NB1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK0m7Srmc0U/YW3bepFiVyI/AAAAAAAACy0/tkjKLrTscg8Vz-qyOhqtBxJH6_Iow0TrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2043/NB5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2043" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK0m7Srmc0U/YW3bepFiVyI/AAAAAAAACy0/tkjKLrTscg8Vz-qyOhqtBxJH6_Iow0TrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/NB5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thrush Nightingale, Spurn Point, May '21:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OOY_sjG49Q/YW3eBsndY1I/AAAAAAAACzE/fmcU7qvTG1sonrsDTRgGFGX72yPlmgnqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/DSC_4214-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OOY_sjG49Q/YW3eBsndY1I/AAAAAAAACzE/fmcU7qvTG1sonrsDTRgGFGX72yPlmgnqQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/DSC_4214-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Eastern Subalpine Warbler, Spurn Point, May '21:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzXBrQcyl78/YW3eXmTDqII/AAAAAAAACzM/urs3f1PHzTkw8OY-KlPEYx4WLkUETpc4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/DSC_5034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzXBrQcyl78/YW3eXmTDqII/AAAAAAAACzM/urs3f1PHzTkw8OY-KlPEYx4WLkUETpc4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/DSC_5034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nu_pujXFGg/YW3eYCAPxBI/AAAAAAAACzU/Ey765fDhS0YLVgxfmN-M33EJxytl2D8pgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/DSC_5134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nu_pujXFGg/YW3eYCAPxBI/AAAAAAAACzU/Ey765fDhS0YLVgxfmN-M33EJxytl2D8pgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/DSC_5134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ithqa-wU6-4/YW3eYOioHOI/AAAAAAAACzQ/YfC_oE--uocuigIFoWWYGdwsdBU8SZOzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/DSC_5239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ithqa-wU6-4/YW3eYOioHOI/AAAAAAAACzQ/YfC_oE--uocuigIFoWWYGdwsdBU8SZOzgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC_5239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-27624001329733393352021-10-18T14:03:00.000-07:002021-10-18T14:03:06.914-07:00Long-tailed Skua in Sheffield - March 2021<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some images of the superb adult Long-tailed Skua that stayed a few days locally after stormy westerlies in March 2021,</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFOsH0eGmW4/YW3gSW3flVI/AAAAAAAACzg/Baz9gIPrFyk-LPRjBYjbX3EknBtXrHy_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/LTS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFOsH0eGmW4/YW3gSW3flVI/AAAAAAAACzg/Baz9gIPrFyk-LPRjBYjbX3EknBtXrHy_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h436/LTS1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Meuqj9NX-gE/YW3gUirUwkI/AAAAAAAACzo/pRMEp0W3NYwi3naygM1KzeFJLVamPhqdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/LTS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Meuqj9NX-gE/YW3gUirUwkI/AAAAAAAACzo/pRMEp0W3NYwi3naygM1KzeFJLVamPhqdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h456/LTS2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FDa1kkDiLM/YW3gTM_rD8I/AAAAAAAACzk/BvpnKfudQQseqY2-fLfyS8-2MkLUqJsbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/LTS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FDa1kkDiLM/YW3gTM_rD8I/AAAAAAAACzk/BvpnKfudQQseqY2-fLfyS8-2MkLUqJsbwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/LTS3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5EH-pFFJbA/YW3gU0v8jBI/AAAAAAAACzs/_og1zWrgoIEqd-BB3y2dpkJXeGc2kdOCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1829/LTS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1829" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5EH-pFFJbA/YW3gU0v8jBI/AAAAAAAACzs/_og1zWrgoIEqd-BB3y2dpkJXeGc2kdOCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/LTS4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KVcZFEW1C4/YW3gVUMTjNI/AAAAAAAACzw/clGiaT5EqyEYHWVfD2HNsZVxTi2Sbhl-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/LTS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KVcZFEW1C4/YW3gVUMTjNI/AAAAAAAACzw/clGiaT5EqyEYHWVfD2HNsZVxTi2Sbhl-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/LTS5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-61242294392940570272021-10-14T15:14:00.000-07:002021-10-14T15:14:02.493-07:00Weekend Double - October 2020<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In October 2020 I was at the end of a family short break in Norfolk. On the final day we had just ordered breakfast in a very busy Burnham Deepdale cafe when, not really in birding mode, I glanced at my phone for the first time in the day and suddenly realised that chaos was unfolding a few miles down the road at Stiffkey where a Rufous Bush Robin had been found an hour or so earlier.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What seemed like the longest wait ever for the breakfast to be served, followed by the quickest eating of a full breakfast ever, I was dumped at the end of the road to run onto the Saltmarsh and joined several hundred people already gathered enjoying the presence of this mega rarity. It provided decent views too as it moved around a patch of Suaeda for most of the morning!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlbzfuReDzk/YWif79Csh3I/AAAAAAAACyA/MG12zEJCIwgyRcqrA61yyD_tfiGsP2C9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A2680312-1CE8-4050-9854-DC1864A6B1C2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlbzfuReDzk/YWif79Csh3I/AAAAAAAACyA/MG12zEJCIwgyRcqrA61yyD_tfiGsP2C9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/A2680312-1CE8-4050-9854-DC1864A6B1C2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRMsNAA-Bx0/YWify7yYFII/AAAAAAAACx8/hjc0rm9q8P0guIzhk6oOcss1prND6YuVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA7CA5D3-4F51-41A7-A885-B12588A3E6D6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRMsNAA-Bx0/YWify7yYFII/AAAAAAAACx8/hjc0rm9q8P0guIzhk6oOcss1prND6YuVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/AA7CA5D3-4F51-41A7-A885-B12588A3E6D6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKuutx3cB6Y/YWieXw2JdwI/AAAAAAAACxo/tstM7cEcVh0iLKFvQ2L8LKzpIoDAxjnHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/RBR1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKuutx3cB6Y/YWieXw2JdwI/AAAAAAAACxo/tstM7cEcVh0iLKFvQ2L8LKzpIoDAxjnHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/RBR1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqxXvT_xYT4/YWiecTs-H1I/AAAAAAAACxs/W7HYhc1Ck24MDPqSq4C2tZkuPSRTA_cmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/RBR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqxXvT_xYT4/YWiecTs-H1I/AAAAAAAACxs/W7HYhc1Ck24MDPqSq4C2tZkuPSRTA_cmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/RBR2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4PcIi-OiHg/YWierfAgFMI/AAAAAAAACxw/Z6KNBxEeSmQdLgMiNW67LEw9zsx5JlE4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/RBR3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4PcIi-OiHg/YWierfAgFMI/AAAAAAAACxw/Z6KNBxEeSmQdLgMiNW67LEw9zsx5JlE4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/RBR3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a long drive home the next morning I was off again, pre-dawn in hope that the lingering Taiga flycatcher was still present at South Shields, County Durham. It was actually showing really well from first light, although as most birds are, it was overshadowed in looks if not rarity value by the Pallas's Warbler at the same location.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u7DsJMvtsY/YWip6uJJ4DI/AAAAAAAACyQ/2H_Sly8GJvgGFAxo3yB8pXjut32hvBGiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Taiga%2BFlycatcher1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u7DsJMvtsY/YWip6uJJ4DI/AAAAAAAACyQ/2H_Sly8GJvgGFAxo3yB8pXjut32hvBGiACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/Taiga%2BFlycatcher1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcCSOMk_kIo/YWip6jx-nCI/AAAAAAAACyM/UoC10sw9wkoYb9e0io4HEHXJKrxbwjCDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Taiga%2BFlycatcher2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcCSOMk_kIo/YWip6jx-nCI/AAAAAAAACyM/UoC10sw9wkoYb9e0io4HEHXJKrxbwjCDwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/Taiga%2BFlycatcher2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqeXs0Xv8Xk/YWiqDSla3tI/AAAAAAAACyU/VZ8bCi6c7LUu87yd0arfEIiC0yQxIjjTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/PW1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqeXs0Xv8Xk/YWiqDSla3tI/AAAAAAAACyU/VZ8bCi6c7LUu87yd0arfEIiC0yQxIjjTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/PW1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3khOs4a3S_o/YWiqD75C-1I/AAAAAAAACyY/L61Zj959YCYncncxvcCNtFc_ayvyxkR_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3khOs4a3S_o/YWiqD75C-1I/AAAAAAAACyY/L61Zj959YCYncncxvcCNtFc_ayvyxkR_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/PW2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for looking!</span></div>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-23324018783614346762021-01-09T09:15:00.000-08:002021-01-09T09:15:22.001-08:00Shetland 2020<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the fourth year running, I made it to Shetland for a week at the end of September. It was always going to be touch and go amidst the Covid lockdowns but it seemed a good time to make the journey with relatively low levels in the country, and especially in Shetland where it was almost non-existent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This years overnight ferry was the worst I'd known. There was quite a swell once we'd got away from Aberdeen; it didn't seem any worse than usual but for some reason </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started to feel ill from an early part of the journey, probably due to tiredness after a previous 48 hours with a long drive to Aberdeen and virtually no sleep. Luckily the bar was closed so I wasn't tempted with a few beers. Somehow I managed not to puke up with the help of some sugared black tea.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-5aeqYhu_Y/X_YwSZ4cjuI/AAAAAAAACpM/lSHayfAUhI821q_sIYmfFK1KauS6vMWHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/53190056-E770-458A-9526-D95DC301BEA5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-5aeqYhu_Y/X_YwSZ4cjuI/AAAAAAAACpM/lSHayfAUhI821q_sIYmfFK1KauS6vMWHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/53190056-E770-458A-9526-D95DC301BEA5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Location at 8:04PM:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtyrbNDtY8c/X_YwlyKRo0I/AAAAAAAACpU/qPZbvRZiwjENiAPRTkv-9m0dw-RCEl_4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1334/72D27BCD-6DC7-49D3-BFAE-BB767A4DEB83.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtyrbNDtY8c/X_YwlyKRo0I/AAAAAAAACpU/qPZbvRZiwjENiAPRTkv-9m0dw-RCEl_4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w360-h640/72D27BCD-6DC7-49D3-BFAE-BB767A4DEB83.png" width="360" /></a></div><p></p><p>Luckily the ferry called into Orkney around midnight so there was an hour or so of respite as it docked in the harbour. The final six hours across to Shetland was just as rough but for some reason I didn't feel quite as bad and even managed an hour of sleep whilst sat upright in the bar area. </p><p>Lerwick at dawn:</p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZdHD8w8_RU/X_YwuCUo0cI/AAAAAAAACpY/U64OKIm9-lwnw5mTPk_dr39xsj5RWHDHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/19FF4CBD-B0C8-4CF0-B7CE-E483B7F8D42D_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="2048" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZdHD8w8_RU/X_YwuCUo0cI/AAAAAAAACpY/U64OKIm9-lwnw5mTPk_dr39xsj5RWHDHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h486/19FF4CBD-B0C8-4CF0-B7CE-E483B7F8D42D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5Q8S1qO3tM/X_Yw0NizXWI/AAAAAAAACpc/fEY8tpXxdkoS3xZf4MIUq6PYA7Y53aJQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/24CC490B-F88B-480C-8595-1E416F8C88A2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5Q8S1qO3tM/X_Yw0NizXWI/AAAAAAAACpc/fEY8tpXxdkoS3xZf4MIUq6PYA7Y53aJQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/24CC490B-F88B-480C-8595-1E416F8C88A2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qS0ocCS7CNg/X_Yw-fJUTgI/AAAAAAAACpo/FOJnXCvqqvgWAvEbymgqNSkIbBlgaf8FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C6E04463-A609-4375-86C6-6B3FE6BAF9B3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qS0ocCS7CNg/X_Yw-fJUTgI/AAAAAAAACpo/FOJnXCvqqvgWAvEbymgqNSkIbBlgaf8FgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/C6E04463-A609-4375-86C6-6B3FE6BAF9B3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Arriving in Lerwick I parked up and slept for a while just to the south. An otter was hunting along the shoreline in front of the car but I was too exhausted to pay it much attention.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A couple of quiet days spent birding usual locations with nothing too exciting, other than some Shetland regulars like these Twite:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73g7TkqG_6Y/X_d1WqNsfWI/AAAAAAAACp8/4LmG3TG_Bs04a3LHHZkBYCCpRYObk9mgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Twite1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73g7TkqG_6Y/X_d1WqNsfWI/AAAAAAAACp8/4LmG3TG_Bs04a3LHHZkBYCCpRYObk9mgACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Twite1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDUU4yc2jlA/X_d1Vv0-FVI/AAAAAAAACp4/4r6DMcr_T4Ii7rwGAEVuBjHEoG_NnhY5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Twite2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDUU4yc2jlA/X_d1Vv0-FVI/AAAAAAAACp4/4r6DMcr_T4Ii7rwGAEVuBjHEoG_NnhY5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Twite2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A Shag in Lerwick Harbour:</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2uQGgDBQuI/X_d4L8dAxwI/AAAAAAAACqQ/aiFmSy91V9INLHXPXmrngNGVcsZlNZMWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Shag101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2uQGgDBQuI/X_d4L8dAxwI/AAAAAAAACqQ/aiFmSy91V9INLHXPXmrngNGVcsZlNZMWgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/Shag101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A nice juvenile Woodchat Shrike was found near Boddam:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTA02xuLvW0/X_d2AKWmlPI/AAAAAAAACqE/la2zo1RWweYD0E2Mjiv6gwlJxNrwEEv6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1540/Woodchat%2BShrike1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1540" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTA02xuLvW0/X_d2AKWmlPI/AAAAAAAACqE/la2zo1RWweYD0E2Mjiv6gwlJxNrwEEv6gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h458/Woodchat%2BShrike1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lapland Bunting at Eshaness:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftkL31p6c4E/X_eJ0A2M3pI/AAAAAAAACqc/vLSuz69PNmw-q4ByOkes9ATaRPJkVT27ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Lapland%2BBunting1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftkL31p6c4E/X_eJ0A2M3pI/AAAAAAAACqc/vLSuz69PNmw-q4ByOkes9ATaRPJkVT27ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Lapland%2BBunting1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Great Skua and Black Guillemot at Lunna:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ0Obb3NRTk/X_eJ5D7RdiI/AAAAAAAACqg/Yv-9qydOsiEXCcqjLwBgMRco2UdTr6UKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1449/Great%2BSkua101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1449" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ0Obb3NRTk/X_eJ5D7RdiI/AAAAAAAACqg/Yv-9qydOsiEXCcqjLwBgMRco2UdTr6UKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h264/Great%2BSkua101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yellow-browed Warbler and Curlew at Lunna:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qA440I7f0Gw/X_eJ9DT_xiI/AAAAAAAACqk/Evdr6oinmdgsGhfxOW58XBel92jQg3C7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1943/DSC_5272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1295" data-original-width="1943" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qA440I7f0Gw/X_eJ9DT_xiI/AAAAAAAACqk/Evdr6oinmdgsGhfxOW58XBel92jQg3C7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/DSC_5272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXDz6msyn4Y/X_eKDtg3jqI/AAAAAAAACqo/iLidCJMP_2IDV3z1NZpl1CxR0V68gDaigCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Curlew101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXDz6msyn4Y/X_eKDtg3jqI/AAAAAAAACqo/iLidCJMP_2IDV3z1NZpl1CxR0V68gDaigCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Curlew101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fulmars at Sumburgh Head:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK34eX4ACzI/X_njMxysA1I/AAAAAAAACtk/7zpRkxyrqZcFKACvo45ZWvCRiVIwbGMbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Fulmar101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VK34eX4ACzI/X_njMxysA1I/AAAAAAAACtk/7zpRkxyrqZcFKACvo45ZWvCRiVIwbGMbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Fulmar101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qygt43EqYc0/X_njQqtw11I/AAAAAAAACto/vHAmlFVwglQcG_2Y4vToLd9KW4LEaXPkACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Fulmar102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qygt43EqYc0/X_njQqtw11I/AAAAAAAACto/vHAmlFVwglQcG_2Y4vToLd9KW4LEaXPkACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h458/Fulmar102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Otter in the harbour at Voe:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9u3FLVaIek/X_eLQrRRtuI/AAAAAAAACq8/aDQi9w1M-_smr31hOBDsCLICvyMeSNywACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Otter101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9u3FLVaIek/X_eLQrRRtuI/AAAAAAAACq8/aDQi9w1M-_smr31hOBDsCLICvyMeSNywACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/Otter101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">On day 3 I took the long journey to Unst, the northern most isle which as a round trip involves four ferry journeys from the mainland. A quick stopover at Bobby's Bus Shelter to check out what was happening in there seemed to have a lockdown covid theme:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT5MaObdHTQ/X_ngdiwD_RI/AAAAAAAACsY/L9mZfUQv1H4JArJWuDSNg9JkXsNbgxmpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D6F8063A-E4C0-407E-8123-39EA319761B7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT5MaObdHTQ/X_ngdiwD_RI/AAAAAAAACsY/L9mZfUQv1H4JArJWuDSNg9JkXsNbgxmpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/D6F8063A-E4C0-407E-8123-39EA319761B7.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNwuThxN8Mk/X_nglycMXeI/AAAAAAAACsc/lj6OknFOyyofTWh3e5NwL9-ylqly1LftgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B0AFC6D1-2005-48A8-B530-42D130014F17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNwuThxN8Mk/X_nglycMXeI/AAAAAAAACsc/lj6OknFOyyofTWh3e5NwL9-ylqly1LftgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/B0AFC6D1-2005-48A8-B530-42D130014F17.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGJFjzbGOUQ/X_ngrlhLtUI/AAAAAAAACsg/yCeeLd4GX2UvnxcOqzMBbYNpLicsKofuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DD828083-F9DD-4EE2-94FA-3FE056C888A5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGJFjzbGOUQ/X_ngrlhLtUI/AAAAAAAACsg/yCeeLd4GX2UvnxcOqzMBbYNpLicsKofuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/DD828083-F9DD-4EE2-94FA-3FE056C888A5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">After a short time at Norwick where it was very quiet, I headed up over the headland to Skaw to look for the Buff-breasted Sandpipers that had been present for a few days. After a long search they were finally located and typically proved very confiding:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lM0Kanbv_Q/X_nhkPH4HRI/AAAAAAAACs8/DiiNofNHFowLfu89BxeK3ii43dw5BIAIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BBS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="2048" height="546" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lM0Kanbv_Q/X_nhkPH4HRI/AAAAAAAACs8/DiiNofNHFowLfu89BxeK3ii43dw5BIAIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h546/BBS2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VeL0Nhxx-w/X_nhgahvEbI/AAAAAAAACs4/kxuwh0nFFBoVzQRan7zWfxtQdXmjuWGxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/BBS5Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="2000" height="309" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VeL0Nhxx-w/X_nhgahvEbI/AAAAAAAACs4/kxuwh0nFFBoVzQRan7zWfxtQdXmjuWGxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h309/BBS5Small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQHk5B5MIzQ/X_nhd9FnsMI/AAAAAAAACs0/y34VvflMd5Ei3MwvGQ3BMt5QcEbRmt4OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/BBS4small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQHk5B5MIzQ/X_nhd9FnsMI/AAAAAAAACs0/y34VvflMd5Ei3MwvGQ3BMt5QcEbRmt4OwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h320/BBS4small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqzGXTLRgnQ/X_nhZzoL6PI/AAAAAAAACsw/BNXx4r_lNnw10naOHQYvBuX_9hmF_0mRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1445/BBS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1445" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqzGXTLRgnQ/X_nhZzoL6PI/AAAAAAAACsw/BNXx4r_lNnw10naOHQYvBuX_9hmF_0mRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h488/BBS1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The headland location is just adjacent to Britain's most northerly habited house:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lo0IdRKs_Jo/X_niEA1WsZI/AAAAAAAACtM/mp6ddh1UaEwZn4Ou6KT91oWEnTrAGmGgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1FFCB753-8C52-4634-986E-5F54BA9DE4D6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lo0IdRKs_Jo/X_niEA1WsZI/AAAAAAAACtM/mp6ddh1UaEwZn4Ou6KT91oWEnTrAGmGgwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/1FFCB753-8C52-4634-986E-5F54BA9DE4D6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h08Pn1E27l4/X_niN79xP6I/AAAAAAAACtQ/EB-AEqikBG0JsOpMQ6WbrD7cSPCU_1YogCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CA1E6A45-E71A-4D0D-82B2-645F9CBD532B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h08Pn1E27l4/X_niN79xP6I/AAAAAAAACtQ/EB-AEqikBG0JsOpMQ6WbrD7cSPCU_1YogCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/CA1E6A45-E71A-4D0D-82B2-645F9CBD532B.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the return journey I picked up a Scaup at the south end of Unst:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boJAT8e-B-c/X_nihvaV6VI/AAAAAAAACtY/OQVEYId7K4EAoVW2FoxIuWLiGEoSI7dPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Scaup101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boJAT8e-B-c/X_nihvaV6VI/AAAAAAAACtY/OQVEYId7K4EAoVW2FoxIuWLiGEoSI7dPwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/Scaup101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Things certainly picked up on day 4. I spent an hour around a garden at Asta looking for an Olive-backed Pipit that had previously been feeding out in the open from the previous afternoon. There was no sign of it, and then a message came up on the group chat that a Tennessee Warbler had been found that morning on Yell. A quick dash back to the car and then a 30 minute speedy drive to the ferry terminal and I was in the queue to get over to the island to the north of the Mainland. Luckily all the vehicles in the queue managed to squeeze onto the first ferry and about 40 cars were soon descending on the small village of Burravoe. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The bird was seen almost immediately as it fed in what would become its favoured tree, a relatively small Sycamore between two houses. Typical Shetland birding really - staring into someones garden!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxYKZyLPUt4/X_nWuDh9XQI/AAAAAAAACrI/h0cPlpT2ApM6Up_NG3cw06yyHgLsSThHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/595240D2-C97A-46DE-AABB-1D87685B772F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxYKZyLPUt4/X_nWuDh9XQI/AAAAAAAACrI/h0cPlpT2ApM6Up_NG3cw06yyHgLsSThHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/595240D2-C97A-46DE-AABB-1D87685B772F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The bird showed well all day, only occasionally moving to a different tree around 100 meters away, before returning to its favourite spot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjqa6sFz3yk/X_nYDZKOYCI/AAAAAAAACrU/8LWnQh_W9Ok50cBz2-poIAbV6uzOhIxyACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/TW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjqa6sFz3yk/X_nYDZKOYCI/AAAAAAAACrU/8LWnQh_W9Ok50cBz2-poIAbV6uzOhIxyACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/TW2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehl8dr5aJ4g/X_nYJsh6kWI/AAAAAAAACrY/uCNOCbvQUB8_Fpj3YWLhHiYpQa5hnD0JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/TW1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehl8dr5aJ4g/X_nYJsh6kWI/AAAAAAAACrY/uCNOCbvQUB8_Fpj3YWLhHiYpQa5hnD0JwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/TW1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFDZnCRlsdw/X_nYbcUXQZI/AAAAAAAACro/rQhFT7H_gPwE_Ra37BUenDpUuU4ByLKrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/TW7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="773" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFDZnCRlsdw/X_nYbcUXQZI/AAAAAAAACro/rQhFT7H_gPwE_Ra37BUenDpUuU4ByLKrQCLcBGAsYHQ/w494-h640/TW7.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuBmIiUb-mc/X_nYX7tM1oI/AAAAAAAACrg/J0npOlZwkwQOKFzhyC4mp1EG7M2uKk4WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/TW5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuBmIiUb-mc/X_nYX7tM1oI/AAAAAAAACrg/J0npOlZwkwQOKFzhyC4mp1EG7M2uKk4WwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/TW5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6U1jNQpxHU/X_naHKbKnTI/AAAAAAAACr4/_xauHdFX5WkLf1tXsTOLQuA1js92Mn_FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/TW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="2000" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6U1jNQpxHU/X_naHKbKnTI/AAAAAAAACr4/_xauHdFX5WkLf1tXsTOLQuA1js92Mn_FgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/TW3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ybMx3Jcxe9w/X_nYVo3TkRI/AAAAAAAACrc/5gVqJBUscmoulpZxRr558XzMWyjqK8qCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/TW4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1500" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ybMx3Jcxe9w/X_nYVo3TkRI/AAAAAAAACrc/5gVqJBUscmoulpZxRr558XzMWyjqK8qCwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/TW4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is only the 5th Tennessee Warbler for Britain, so a major rarity and a great day to be in Shetland.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next day I returned to the site of the Olive-backed Pipit and after about 2 hours it appeared and showed really well for what is usually an exceptionally elusive bird:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3fEmvJq1bY/X_ndeuNvfwI/AAAAAAAACsI/wKI_1EPENhclCuqMep_FEiNzw7V0IqY7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/OBP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3fEmvJq1bY/X_ndeuNvfwI/AAAAAAAACsI/wKI_1EPENhclCuqMep_FEiNzw7V0IqY7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/OBP2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PC0u4qxqwqo/X_ndUfQRahI/AAAAAAAACsE/74sadIvA-WEZrVeU16pX_l8js3iVGuBlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/OBP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PC0u4qxqwqo/X_ndUfQRahI/AAAAAAAACsE/74sadIvA-WEZrVeU16pX_l8js3iVGuBlwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/OBP1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately the trip was curtailed by a couple of days due to the weather forecast and having to get back for work, and the last day was disappointing after missing a White's Thrush at Quendale before heading over to the ferry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The return ferry was incredibly rough, worryingly it started with a warning that there would be a lot of movement as soon as were were out of Lerwick harbour. This was exactly what happened and it was almost impossible to walk around the ferry without getting thrown from one side to the other. In the restaurant the beers on the next table lasted about 2 minutes before flying onto the floor. This time I was fortified with sea-sickness tablets and a bed, and although the journey was the worst</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I'd ever encountered I made it to the dawn as we arrived in Aberdeen ready for the long drive home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for looking!</span></div>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-15679746275188862552021-01-05T11:55:00.000-08:002021-01-05T11:55:21.899-08:00Lammergeier - Bearded Vulture - Derbyshire & South Yorkshire July & August 2020<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First seen in Holland and Belgium, a young Bearded Vulture originating from the Alps made its way across the channel to the UK in June 2020. Initially sighted in the UK in the Midlands, a number of relatively brief sightings were reported from Derbyshire over the next week, and a few days later the Lammergeier was seen several times in the valley to the east of Ladybower reservoir on 10th July. I still managed to miss it several times despite being in the area, but later that day it was pinned down roosting in a steep valley towards Howden Moors. This meant a long trek in the dark the next morning for several hundred birders, from the Strines Inn over to the location to catch it before it left its roost spot at dawn. A large number of people made it in time to the valley edge opposite its location as it dropped off its cliff ledge just after dawn and glided down the valley and then up over towards Back Tor. After about ten minutes gliding over the nearby moors it headed back and spent a short while back at the roost site before heading off again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the next couple of weeks the bird stayed in the same area, ranging over a wide location and not always roosting in the same place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Its roost location in Howden Moors involved a long walk, usually a 3am start would get you to the location fro dawn! There was no guarantee it would be there, as it clearly had other locations as evenings it wasn't returning and gradually became less frequent at the Howden Moors site. The final part of the walk to overlook the gorge was quite treacherous underfoot, but the midsummer location provided some spectacular views:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMjZrOFUQqE/X_S_PccZgsI/AAAAAAAACoU/u__QKik-_V4i0wQMBLmNA9z0VM2KW-0zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8EE19713-93B9-4B5F-AFAD-D8D833A908B4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMjZrOFUQqE/X_S_PccZgsI/AAAAAAAACoU/u__QKik-_V4i0wQMBLmNA9z0VM2KW-0zgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/8EE19713-93B9-4B5F-AFAD-D8D833A908B4.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOkqDVnHLKE/X_S_yW6sBiI/AAAAAAAACoc/icytGthdPl4RDXmo5XyjCdSAu4Y64C1egCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/48D96C5F-06BE-45CC-960E-C8CECC075746.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOkqDVnHLKE/X_S_yW6sBiI/AAAAAAAACoc/icytGthdPl4RDXmo5XyjCdSAu4Y64C1egCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/48D96C5F-06BE-45CC-960E-C8CECC075746.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--is6NWGl03I/X_S_7zXNNkI/AAAAAAAACog/qs1vgBeSks4tad_rgfmT6WfD0-kj1XVywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/14D0C341-ECB4-4A03-A524-50A125FD099F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--is6NWGl03I/X_S_7zXNNkI/AAAAAAAACog/qs1vgBeSks4tad_rgfmT6WfD0-kj1XVywCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/14D0C341-ECB4-4A03-A524-50A125FD099F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkT9bo3C-8c/X_TAGEgMlwI/AAAAAAAACoo/RO3dGxFaGYghWfCx-N9IFJyyinVFMVo7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/13577F62-BA5A-4C1E-8EE1-DAA1958585D8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="2048" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkT9bo3C-8c/X_TAGEgMlwI/AAAAAAAACoo/RO3dGxFaGYghWfCx-N9IFJyyinVFMVo7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h342/13577F62-BA5A-4C1E-8EE1-DAA1958585D8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovmU2JoGYUg/X_TAJ2fsL5I/AAAAAAAACos/SAmSymKXCfMK2x4bcH4BIq7bkmuXwGTiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AE224342-F7EA-4C0D-B41D-0B4B0E51F2E9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovmU2JoGYUg/X_TAJ2fsL5I/AAAAAAAACos/SAmSymKXCfMK2x4bcH4BIq7bkmuXwGTiQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/AE224342-F7EA-4C0D-B41D-0B4B0E51F2E9.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQkKnZ3K5s4/X_TAVGsJClI/AAAAAAAACo0/WeTFti3VjO0wilvsnn9Ea83-rNdNsiE1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2916/21690304-17CC-48E3-8991-F7BF4BA51320.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2916" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQkKnZ3K5s4/X_TAVGsJClI/AAAAAAAACo0/WeTFti3VjO0wilvsnn9Ea83-rNdNsiE1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h236/21690304-17CC-48E3-8991-F7BF4BA51320.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HcvipivdYw/X_TAYCK22jI/AAAAAAAACo8/zV69YkJ_uBUPxOMdgGHcR9HBgqIk6aYmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F4282B40-4B01-4DBF-85B0-F8A4E1726591.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HcvipivdYw/X_TAYCK22jI/AAAAAAAACo8/zV69YkJ_uBUPxOMdgGHcR9HBgqIk6aYmQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/F4282B40-4B01-4DBF-85B0-F8A4E1726591.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Bearded vulture on the first morning over Howden Moors:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgDnQ8lzBSM/X--qZc2xH6I/AAAAAAAACm0/CEhgBNJMg1UC6jxrheofyLe27CGdlSgkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Lammer1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgDnQ8lzBSM/X--qZc2xH6I/AAAAAAAACm0/CEhgBNJMg1UC6jxrheofyLe27CGdlSgkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h400/Lammer1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Leaving the gorge it regularly roosted in:</span><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtvLh7v5FaU/X--qeBd7GaI/AAAAAAAACm4/eNdNOZynJBwgSy2JcA8tbIYMckZR00YQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Lammer4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtvLh7v5FaU/X--qeBd7GaI/AAAAAAAACm4/eNdNOZynJBwgSy2JcA8tbIYMckZR00YQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Lammer4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Above its roost spot:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RuPM-AvrdSM/X--qhQNkmII/AAAAAAAACm8/H3Q_9VjFrCUn6ThstykmACveQNIiMEjhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Lammer7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RuPM-AvrdSM/X--qhQNkmII/AAAAAAAACm8/H3Q_9VjFrCUn6ThstykmACveQNIiMEjhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Lammer7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A week later I was near Bamford Edge when the bird performed superbly as it briefly flew along the edge before heading over to Ladybower:</span></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzb7OLsysoU/X--qlc7OsUI/AAAAAAAACnA/dgSUeaa7QnwOyGxoXjdJsFX5xsHr0Ws7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Lammer9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="2048" height="540" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzb7OLsysoU/X--qlc7OsUI/AAAAAAAACnA/dgSUeaa7QnwOyGxoXjdJsFX5xsHr0Ws7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h540/Lammer9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__pOoaa5jNQ/X--qmqkkziI/AAAAAAAACnE/ELZFBsZZLyslopB-4xuJJAst7d63af8TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1722/Lammer10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1722" height="261" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__pOoaa5jNQ/X--qmqkkziI/AAAAAAAACnE/ELZFBsZZLyslopB-4xuJJAst7d63af8TwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h261/Lammer10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taken back at its roost site one morning:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-coMI1qLJD48/X--rIa1Vy5I/AAAAAAAACnc/rFkuMT8aTYcDiaeEx0PQEJcRLB6ttX0NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Lammer102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-coMI1qLJD48/X--rIa1Vy5I/AAAAAAAACnc/rFkuMT8aTYcDiaeEx0PQEJcRLB6ttX0NQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Lammer102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">After disappearing for a week, the vulture was relocated further north-west at Crowden near Glossop where it remained for a further three weeks in August before finally departing late in the month, and finally leaving the country in October.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here the Vulture is at its roost location in the valley above Crowden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wscs7bRykYM/X_S9SqTUr5I/AAAAAAAACn0/T_kMgX3oabgiZ_vx0muW_SbI6Lb3_7tfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1957/Lammer11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1957" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wscs7bRykYM/X_S9SqTUr5I/AAAAAAAACn0/T_kMgX3oabgiZ_vx0muW_SbI6Lb3_7tfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h494/Lammer11.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">In flight in the valley above Crowden:</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo52pOV5gUo/X_S9VXxbmzI/AAAAAAAACn4/BmgPQ7hvnT4J1Zuisk2iZikDVwsj2igZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1871/Lammer12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1871" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo52pOV5gUo/X_S9VXxbmzI/AAAAAAAACn4/BmgPQ7hvnT4J1Zuisk2iZikDVwsj2igZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h418/Lammer12.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Overall I made 12 attempts to see the Bearded Vulture at its various locations, and connected on 10 occasions. Even my mum made it on the last attempt:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gn5r14A7pPg/X_S-RaxvEzI/AAAAAAAACoI/LQ9hzbY1GPYzQuXeG-prIa2Pk5ZRIO3tgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/60561DB3-FEBA-43D1-BD3E-D8F28EFFBCC9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gn5r14A7pPg/X_S-RaxvEzI/AAAAAAAACoI/LQ9hzbY1GPYzQuXeG-prIa2Pk5ZRIO3tgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/60561DB3-FEBA-43D1-BD3E-D8F28EFFBCC9.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for Looking!</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-87329554068074887462020-09-17T14:31:00.000-07:002020-09-17T14:31:08.286-07:00Black-browed Albatross at Bempton Cliffs - A Dream Morning<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are some birds that I never expect to see, either in the UK or elsewhere. Black-browed Albatross, or any Albatross for that matter, is one of those birds. I'm unlikely to ever find myself on a bespoke trip in the Southern Atlantic, and I'm not really one for spending days looking out to sea on the off-chance that one day one will drift through my telescope view as a blurry blob in the haze. So the chances of seeing one were virtually zero. Until Thursday 2nd July 2020. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">During that evening two birders on Bempton Cliffs were lucky enough to come across one as it drifted above them, eventually landing with a small group of Gannets on the cliff top. It stuck around for a while allowing a few lucky people great views. The Gannets weren't too happy with it and pushed it off; it left the cliffs and flew strongly north past Filey Brigg and was last seen briefly further north again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although I expected it to have headed off along the coast never to be seen again, I thought it would be worth taking a chance so I headed over to Bempton Cliffs for dawn the next day, speculatively hoping it would appear at some point during the day, but not really expecting it. If there was no Albatross it wouldn't have been a wasted day as Bempton is one of the best sites in the country, always something interesting to look at and a spectacular place to be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I arrived before dawn and sat in the car as it got a little lighter. At dawn it was misty and raining lightly, and I headed down to New Roll-up viewpoint where there were around five others looking in all directions. One was a local and after around 15 minutes he took a phone call from a friend who was a couple of miles down the coast at Flamborough Head. I couldn't believe the news that was being relayed - the Albatross was flying around the north side of the Headland. It should have been visible distantly through the various scopes that were desperately trained in the direction of Flamborough, but it was murky and no-one could pick it up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was a difficult decision to be made - should we leave and head to Flamborough, which would have taken around 20 minutes in total, by which time it could have drifted north and we would have missed it. Two of the small group left and took the chance, the rest of us remained in place and preyed it would move closer towards Bempton. A handful of others arrived. A couple more phone calls suggested it was still there, but the news this time was that it seemed to be slowly moving out form North Landing up the coast. At this point I realised I might have a chance of seeing this bird and things got serious. Someone spotted it, moving out to sea in the distance, surely it wasn't going to dissapear? It veered back in towards the coast, but into one of the many bays and out of site. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It came out of Thornwick Bay between Flamborough and Bempton and a couple more of the group got onto it before it went back into the next bay, but importantly it was getting closer. It then again came out from behind one of the cliff points and I saw it - huge, unmistakable, majestic. The Albatross continued towards us, around the corner again into Staple Newk.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FWuod8LAb0/X2PAAkX5eAI/AAAAAAAACkw/4PS5LmWy0h4t0eoWGAscXrWze6B-E0f-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1739/BB%2BAlbatross104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1739" height="546" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FWuod8LAb0/X2PAAkX5eAI/AAAAAAAACkw/4PS5LmWy0h4t0eoWGAscXrWze6B-E0f-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h546/BB%2BAlbatross104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Albatross spent the next ten minutes flying in and out of the cove, trying to land with the Gannets but never quite making it. I moved down to Staple Newk itself and briefly got some shots of it a little closer as it glided in and out. It then drifted north past my previous viewpoint and out of sight further north. Everyone present was ecstatic.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUrI-bQoKzs/X2PBAgn1k3I/AAAAAAAACk8/LtqVUCjPLOI3VlvOE1dmlcRY4MpQ_S0wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Albatross105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUrI-bQoKzs/X2PBAgn1k3I/AAAAAAAACk8/LtqVUCjPLOI3VlvOE1dmlcRY4MpQ_S0wwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/Albatross105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the next couple of hours it wasn't seen again but more people were arriving, and by late morning there were several hundred people on the cliff tops. A huge roar was suddenly heard around 11am as the bird re-appeared from the North end of the cliffs, lingering for a while at various points and giving stunning views as it drifted within metres of those crammed on the various viewpoints. I actually saw some jumping up and down with excitement and high-fiving as it flew past them.</span></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCXWfYpe6rQ/X2PCUeROEBI/AAAAAAAAClI/m9URO81mPE8Ai3XjHEfr5e3YhzyWuCevACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BB%2BAlbatross102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1569" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCXWfYpe6rQ/X2PCUeROEBI/AAAAAAAAClI/m9URO81mPE8Ai3XjHEfr5e3YhzyWuCevACLcBGAsYHQ/w490-h640/BB%2BAlbatross102.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aD--NB1ajF4/X2PCZUj-bdI/AAAAAAAAClM/MbbYgr4_Y6YqiTy7Mu4B_U98a49NOIlQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BB%2BAlbatross101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aD--NB1ajF4/X2PCZUj-bdI/AAAAAAAAClM/MbbYgr4_Y6YqiTy7Mu4B_U98a49NOIlQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/BB%2BAlbatross101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the interim few hours it had been sat on the cliffs somewhere, evident by the patch of mud it had acquired on its breast.<br /><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKAxYpuHgHA/X2PCnXl0OTI/AAAAAAAAClU/tNBreU36Yu4lnDGafpu_aR7FuKoYiH_EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BB%2BAlbatross103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="2048" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKAxYpuHgHA/X2PCnXl0OTI/AAAAAAAAClU/tNBreU36Yu4lnDGafpu_aR7FuKoYiH_EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h416/BB%2BAlbatross103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Albatross looped around again then moved quickly north along the cliffs, and was soon gone from the Bempton area as it presumably continued up the coast.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite more people arriving through the afternoon and the next morning it didn't appear again and had clearly moved on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is without doubt the best bird I have seen in the UK, and to experience it at such a great location as Bempton Cliffs was a special morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for looking!</span></p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-28166157626205897192020-09-17T12:16:00.000-07:002020-09-17T12:16:02.526-07:00Post Lockdown Asian Desert Warbler, Northumberland<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As lockdown was coming to an end in June, an Asian Desert Warbler was found on Lindisfarne in Northumberland, and it was great to get out again and travel for this special bird. I arrived on the Thursday evening, too late as a search for an hour at dusk suggested it might have departed. After an interesting night on Lindisfarne causeway in the car (hoping the tide wouldn't get too high!) a few hours later at dawn it was located by its song and continued to move amongst the small trees in the dunes for a couple of hours. It was around all morning and then was gone by the evening, not seen the next day.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wd1j6CfFJQE/X2O05Gj-MlI/AAAAAAAACkU/2hycJYK_w-0kl1ANO8OO2dZQLixwhiSQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/ADW1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wd1j6CfFJQE/X2O05Gj-MlI/AAAAAAAACkU/2hycJYK_w-0kl1ANO8OO2dZQLixwhiSQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/ADW1x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UNN9-Z-QOI/X2O083fhIUI/AAAAAAAACkY/UHpVpbtaG5odeK2i8PoT0NXhd4WxT37IgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/ADW2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UNN9-Z-QOI/X2O083fhIUI/AAAAAAAACkY/UHpVpbtaG5odeK2i8PoT0NXhd4WxT37IgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/ADW2x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ9RLMN7-dU/X2O1AzWv9PI/AAAAAAAACkc/SeoXzVrUVG46oUI4MS3PyQDpzpSQcaSQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ9RLMN7-dU/X2O1AzWv9PI/AAAAAAAACkc/SeoXzVrUVG46oUI4MS3PyQDpzpSQcaSQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/ADW3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for looking.</span></p>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-58345505382075512512020-09-17T12:03:00.000-07:002020-09-17T12:03:14.404-07:00Black-throated Thrush Double<span style="font-family: verdana;">Some images of the terrific adult Black-throated Thrush that spent several weeks at Whipsnade in Bedfordshire in December 2019:</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qydCR0M0SS8/X2OxPg4IBMI/AAAAAAAACjs/xU3MJJw_-jIkxdjSopEkX_x3Nij2rWwLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BT%2BThrush8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qydCR0M0SS8/X2OxPg4IBMI/AAAAAAAACjs/xU3MJJw_-jIkxdjSopEkX_x3Nij2rWwLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w458-h640/BT%2BThrush8.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUb3SYKQsBc/X2OxIuUVgfI/AAAAAAAACjo/qKCvksCtWpMBlj7RhFQiiSGZRHBaPFoCACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BT%2BThrush6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUb3SYKQsBc/X2OxIuUVgfI/AAAAAAAACjo/qKCvksCtWpMBlj7RhFQiiSGZRHBaPFoCACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h320/BT%2BThrush6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09X9AIPrBgM/X2OxALY1jrI/AAAAAAAACjg/-YawqXBt7GMA8kfxyaOggXtdPuQya2qewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BT%2BThrush4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09X9AIPrBgM/X2OxALY1jrI/AAAAAAAACjg/-YawqXBt7GMA8kfxyaOggXtdPuQya2qewCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/BT%2BThrush4.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_RXCxvFgk0/X2Owyd-Q32I/AAAAAAAACjY/CO0YZh5rOWMUqDEQ2lJ4FnzGFoXmkS0PgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BT%2BThrush2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_RXCxvFgk0/X2Owyd-Q32I/AAAAAAAACjY/CO0YZh5rOWMUqDEQ2lJ4FnzGFoXmkS0PgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/BT%2BThrush2x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktP4wRnq1Ms/X2OwjMB1vcI/AAAAAAAACjU/jM0h3DKIOGIkPRkrwOIKe4bwFPB4ZWXXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/BT%2BThrush1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1000" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktP4wRnq1Ms/X2OwjMB1vcI/AAAAAAAACjU/jM0h3DKIOGIkPRkrwOIKe4bwFPB4ZWXXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/BT%2BThrush1x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A little closer to home, another bird found at Grimsby in January 2020:</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ1I-qPZwuA/X2OyMpNso5I/AAAAAAAACkA/aHcHk5YvRlohxNM62uAPUtWPTtYTZjwkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1587/BT%2BThrush9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1587" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZ1I-qPZwuA/X2OyMpNso5I/AAAAAAAACkA/aHcHk5YvRlohxNM62uAPUtWPTtYTZjwkQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h458/BT%2BThrush9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7aPa22NdFc/X2OybkpOU8I/AAAAAAAACkE/QhZ_Lj610RUSzqNtFbLbZDbghc33Sx7RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/BT%2BThrush10x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7aPa22NdFc/X2OybkpOU8I/AAAAAAAACkE/QhZ_Lj610RUSzqNtFbLbZDbghc33Sx7RgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h456/BT%2BThrush10x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for looking!</span></div>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-34220444923126646752020-02-22T11:24:00.001-08:002020-02-22T11:24:40.139-08:00Shetland 2019<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some highlights from a great trip to Shetland in late September and early October 2019</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A nice start with a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the iris beds at Quendale:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CD8PG2MA5k/XlFMFOAO0KI/AAAAAAAACbE/ag8mLflzfrAb_CxoUD0MG7orNrhik2hCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RBF8x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="850" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CD8PG2MA5k/XlFMFOAO0KI/AAAAAAAACbE/ag8mLflzfrAb_CxoUD0MG7orNrhik2hCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/RBF8x.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bWzzfgNuVw/XlFMFWidEeI/AAAAAAAACbI/bfgUlnjgWnEzfClXRAmLjfBhfVmZ8q5hgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RBF10x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="850" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bWzzfgNuVw/XlFMFWidEeI/AAAAAAAACbI/bfgUlnjgWnEzfClXRAmLjfBhfVmZ8q5hgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/RBF10x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pied Flycatcher, catching flies, Hoswick:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qUpmqLkS6s/XlFMrsJOfZI/AAAAAAAACbU/crmUeL1H74g2v6ldvFpCIf3EFi4m-JfJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PF1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="849" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qUpmqLkS6s/XlFMrsJOfZI/AAAAAAAACbU/crmUeL1H74g2v6ldvFpCIf3EFi4m-JfJACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/PF1x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first of two Greenish Warblers, this one at Levenwick without tail feathers:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6miUdw9IRQc/XlFN7loIDMI/AAAAAAAACbg/CeHrAvTs4b87-cQM2mb4lKHIBfyJZV2PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GW1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="850" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6miUdw9IRQc/XlFN7loIDMI/AAAAAAAACbg/CeHrAvTs4b87-cQM2mb4lKHIBfyJZV2PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/GW1x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little Bunting at Sumburgh Lighthouse:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kRLmFm271U/XlFOhgv4NjI/AAAAAAAACbo/JGanGa7L8AkrNTBd6sZQqDLJqe0BayUBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/LB2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="850" height="510" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kRLmFm271U/XlFOhgv4NjI/AAAAAAAACbo/JGanGa7L8AkrNTBd6sZQqDLJqe0BayUBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/LB2x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOpNnfaRJdg/XlF--ihzQ7I/AAAAAAAACgw/tUG9G3xtop8oyjcd4fVKrJRg7yx-WlZiQCEwYBhgL/s1600/LB3x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOpNnfaRJdg/XlF--ihzQ7I/AAAAAAAACgw/tUG9G3xtop8oyjcd4fVKrJRg7yx-WlZiQCEwYBhgL/s400/LB3x.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sk5KzQxpik4/XlF--k83tBI/AAAAAAAACgs/y0kWEuj-cSgB0xPplZVJXLq2j-KsnT3dgCEwYBhgL/s1600/LB4x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sk5KzQxpik4/XlF--k83tBI/AAAAAAAACgs/y0kWEuj-cSgB0xPplZVJXLq2j-KsnT3dgCEwYBhgL/s640/LB4x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The superb Turkestan Shrike around gardens and fields at Levenwick:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHjXCbMaHpI/XlFK6NTQx5I/AAAAAAAACaw/QgOtUSXzXLw8ig_yRU43JF7mjiOGudSmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Is5x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="850" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHjXCbMaHpI/XlFK6NTQx5I/AAAAAAAACaw/QgOtUSXzXLw8ig_yRU43JF7mjiOGudSmACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Is5x.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvToY7wf9l8/XlFK8CV1FtI/AAAAAAAACa0/-Gc_wIUSNFoAX0D0paSt33zgF12_ACtiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Is4x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="850" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvToY7wf9l8/XlFK8CV1FtI/AAAAAAAACa0/-Gc_wIUSNFoAX0D0paSt33zgF12_ACtiACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Is4x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arctic Tern with Sand Eel at Grutness:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmkSIuBMNWQ/XlFPA5kDV4I/AAAAAAAACbw/6lYXlw_Rfjsv_0P98sQ1MCkU9hxM1kbfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Arctic%2BTern2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmkSIuBMNWQ/XlFPA5kDV4I/AAAAAAAACbw/6lYXlw_Rfjsv_0P98sQ1MCkU9hxM1kbfACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Arctic%2BTern2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Semipalmated Sandpiper, a long-stayer at Gutcher beach:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2YZAmA-dE4/XlFQndpuaPI/AAAAAAAACcA/j0ZL0LfaqfUthM1anJrYVqiS1BSRohn7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SemiP1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2YZAmA-dE4/XlFQndpuaPI/AAAAAAAACcA/j0ZL0LfaqfUthM1anJrYVqiS1BSRohn7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/SemiP1x.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAM9nvYfBf4/XlFQnbKBm2I/AAAAAAAACcE/2eyjm_wrpEsLX7I982559QaGfEH8pVKCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SemiP2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAM9nvYfBf4/XlFQnbKBm2I/AAAAAAAACcE/2eyjm_wrpEsLX7I982559QaGfEH8pVKCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SemiP2x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl3Bm33XA-c/XlFQnUM04eI/AAAAAAAACb8/_kVvYPlNfNwlUv6UI-Dsng-Bw9z6i_P-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SemiP4x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yl3Bm33XA-c/XlFQnUM04eI/AAAAAAAACb8/_kVvYPlNfNwlUv6UI-Dsng-Bw9z6i_P-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/SemiP4x.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Snowy Owl had been reported in the north Mainland area of Ronas Hill (the highest point in Shetland). The target bird for one day required a trek into a huge area of boulders and bogs and lochs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Setting off from the radio mast around Ronas Hill:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChWQY8gNIS4/XlFZDacxmRI/AAAAAAAACcs/Eq6ZnalHFEUQV_xK6zA6JmwiXZ5sGVywgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ronas%2BHill7x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChWQY8gNIS4/XlFZDacxmRI/AAAAAAAACcs/Eq6ZnalHFEUQV_xK6zA6JmwiXZ5sGVywgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Ronas%2BHill7x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The area the Snowy Owl had previously been seen:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WV72prJU9_g/XlFXBCHGSKI/AAAAAAAACcY/NswcipDAz7MqwXBhIAoeWcLA29qEjXfjACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ronas%2BHill6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WV72prJU9_g/XlFXBCHGSKI/AAAAAAAACcY/NswcipDAz7MqwXBhIAoeWcLA29qEjXfjACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Ronas%2BHill6.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a fair bit of searching the bird was located distantly tucked into a hole on a small hillside on the far side of the summit:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmjrHrnIqWQ/XlFZ6Gw3YkI/AAAAAAAACdA/eMzMrqiuKVUTwyfHR-M8x5oEusrrFfFjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Snowy%2BOwl4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmjrHrnIqWQ/XlFZ6Gw3YkI/AAAAAAAACdA/eMzMrqiuKVUTwyfHR-M8x5oEusrrFfFjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Snowy%2BOwl4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Closer views of the Owl:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MadabuRE6eg/XlFZfI49x9I/AAAAAAAACc0/xbnDs7aq5KkmkRQseeCnZwZluCkIZqbaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Snowy%2BOwl1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="850" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MadabuRE6eg/XlFZfI49x9I/AAAAAAAACc0/xbnDs7aq5KkmkRQseeCnZwZluCkIZqbaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Snowy%2BOwl1x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SIiU9Bouls/XlFZre4mQLI/AAAAAAAACc4/Xsok5YjZoQ41xleKMivOrxVkyEwGXf0wQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Snowy%2BOwl3x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="850" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SIiU9Bouls/XlFZre4mQLI/AAAAAAAACc4/Xsok5YjZoQ41xleKMivOrxVkyEwGXf0wQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Snowy%2BOwl3x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a long walk back to the car, it was time to go from the Arctic to the Tropics with a nearby Bee-eater only a few miles away at Ollaberry:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lqgmiOwFtc/XlFbI9CcZrI/AAAAAAAACdQ/UPUwqeVu02UzAARRag9zzcWHQEaE8niWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bee-eater10x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="850" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lqgmiOwFtc/XlFbI9CcZrI/AAAAAAAACdQ/UPUwqeVu02UzAARRag9zzcWHQEaE8niWACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Bee-eater10x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0nSo4-0Z6k/XlFbSA-wU2I/AAAAAAAACdU/C3l_sFtcr-krnG2TzQTHZNBmiNWrXA4tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bee-eater11x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="850" height="510" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h0nSo4-0Z6k/XlFbSA-wU2I/AAAAAAAACdU/C3l_sFtcr-krnG2TzQTHZNBmiNWrXA4tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Bee-eater11x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VONCepcG1Tg/XlFb0fc2xUI/AAAAAAAACdg/8gqA0zDa-wgCZ8m2mmbmnWyq9AeSCW9NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bee-eater12x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VONCepcG1Tg/XlFb0fc2xUI/AAAAAAAACdg/8gqA0zDa-wgCZ8m2mmbmnWyq9AeSCW9NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Bee-eater12x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Red-backed Shrike picking insects from the side of the road at Gott:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjSECALEFGE/XlFdqUBlVtI/AAAAAAAACds/dWXVxP26spYpjwz1uT3NkQp7N30Mtk1ggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RB%2BShrike10x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="850" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjSECALEFGE/XlFdqUBlVtI/AAAAAAAACds/dWXVxP26spYpjwz1uT3NkQp7N30Mtk1ggCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/RB%2BShrike10x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Orcas had been reported regularly around the islands, and towards the end of the week I was in Lerwick when news cam out that a pod was in the south around St. Ninian's Island. 30 minutes later I was there but they had already headed north. The only option was to drive ahead of them which wasn't easy as there were few roads to get down to the west coast where the whales were likely to be. I took the decision to drive all the way up to Scalloway and down the Burra peninsula to hopefully intercept them. After a few wrong turns, I got lucky and ended up on East Burra where a few people were gathered as they headed towards us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bull and calf Orca heading past us north in Clift Sound:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChqurQU911c/XlFipRwX3tI/AAAAAAAACd8/ktoHxOPGFJQ8IQhLfD2X6VAIJziI9SazQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orca2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="850" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChqurQU911c/XlFipRwX3tI/AAAAAAAACd8/ktoHxOPGFJQ8IQhLfD2X6VAIJziI9SazQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Orca2x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two of the pod of 8 surfacing as they pass the waiting crowds at Wester Quarff:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzdMzTwuYLc/XlFilVbxrCI/AAAAAAAACd4/gnw5-Of8Tq0zl4tw6pTqeeTIWttVWl18gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orca1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="850" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzdMzTwuYLc/XlFilVbxrCI/AAAAAAAACd4/gnw5-Of8Tq0zl4tw6pTqeeTIWttVWl18gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Orca1x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later nearby in Scalloway a couple of Waxwings were located in one of the gardens.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho1oZjQTHWw/XlFlzPLzDoI/AAAAAAAACeM/h-WH4SujxxkLB4oo-gNsBzjRPNkbnup-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Waxwing38x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ho1oZjQTHWw/XlFlzPLzDoI/AAAAAAAACeM/h-WH4SujxxkLB4oo-gNsBzjRPNkbnup-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Waxwing38x.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The highlight of the following day was another Greenish Warbler, this one showing well at Cunningsburgh:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5s3TGfjmTE/XlFnvSpL5MI/AAAAAAAACeY/nIYkE6yqU1kUKjilI7hPjuisNLgWZAtmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GW2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1000" height="510" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5s3TGfjmTE/XlFnvSpL5MI/AAAAAAAACeY/nIYkE6yqU1kUKjilI7hPjuisNLgWZAtmACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/GW2x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqr1-q76dNQ/XlFnvRLykqI/AAAAAAAACec/uASebWljUPgC1RwmAGwevoI7Ib4CApYJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GW3x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1000" height="510" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqr1-q76dNQ/XlFnvRLykqI/AAAAAAAACec/uASebWljUPgC1RwmAGwevoI7Ib4CApYJACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/GW3x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last couple of days were relatively quiet, with no new rarities being found. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Garden Warbler and Redpolls at Quendale:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwZvrGNoxqU/XlFp1EXYqPI/AAAAAAAACes/gIfv0E4CrIQrpP8yA9UAzCrTUlY8SMJCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Garden%2BWarbler1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwZvrGNoxqU/XlFp1EXYqPI/AAAAAAAACes/gIfv0E4CrIQrpP8yA9UAzCrTUlY8SMJCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Garden%2BWarbler1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_P0NVVV2xc/XlFp2hwl7XI/AAAAAAAACew/xCkAlME5oC0cOIgGby-kXZM81nVk2K13QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Garden%2BWarbler2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_P0NVVV2xc/XlFp2hwl7XI/AAAAAAAACew/xCkAlME5oC0cOIgGby-kXZM81nVk2K13QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Garden%2BWarbler2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEkl5LRBOFc/XlFquMJ1fdI/AAAAAAAACfA/d-YaHmVKvnI8YFsIQ-YWLsuQ0vRvGM9xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mealy%2BRedpoll1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="849" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OEkl5LRBOFc/XlFquMJ1fdI/AAAAAAAACfA/d-YaHmVKvnI8YFsIQ-YWLsuQ0vRvGM9xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Mealy%2BRedpoll1x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gvn3bdWmVvo/XlFquKBxhpI/AAAAAAAACe8/xX4CNM0EDcQTNExqJht1JHBGf85wqeGsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mealy%2BRedpoll2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="850" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gvn3bdWmVvo/XlFquKBxhpI/AAAAAAAACe8/xX4CNM0EDcQTNExqJht1JHBGf85wqeGsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Mealy%2BRedpoll2x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toD6nlcUjTI/XlFqwFB5zKI/AAAAAAAACfE/OtiHkePvkKESeFtMcNhe2hLL6QgGQ98zACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mealy%2BRedpoll3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toD6nlcUjTI/XlFqwFB5zKI/AAAAAAAACfE/OtiHkePvkKESeFtMcNhe2hLL6QgGQ98zACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Mealy%2BRedpoll3.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of several Yellow-browed Warblers also at Quendale:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-niXl4_8ZJiA/XlFtxQHaOiI/AAAAAAAACfY/l3Eu9ZRtcA4obQQW_eR49vk7Wi4A91rNACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/YB%2BWarbler7x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1000" height="510" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-niXl4_8ZJiA/XlFtxQHaOiI/AAAAAAAACfY/l3Eu9ZRtcA4obQQW_eR49vk7Wi4A91rNACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/YB%2BWarbler7x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A nice Short-toed Lark was found nearby south of Quendale:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dbCMT-lE8U/XlFupjAM_7I/AAAAAAAACfk/fqb9N4qub04uVhadmou2Czy2fW4JGpv-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ST%2BLark2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1200" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dbCMT-lE8U/XlFupjAM_7I/AAAAAAAACfk/fqb9N4qub04uVhadmou2Czy2fW4JGpv-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ST%2BLark2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Merlin terrorising the Meadow Pipits at Quendale Mill:</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YrBOaPpcTw/XlFxrKHHFlI/AAAAAAAACfw/BKwQLs8pK8UVZ6i-JH__b7NnqyT-fDY6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Merlin4x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YrBOaPpcTw/XlFxrKHHFlI/AAAAAAAACfw/BKwQLs8pK8UVZ6i-JH__b7NnqyT-fDY6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Merlin4x.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2thwB1mrr8/XlFxxiqk6iI/AAAAAAAACf0/rgyUmCrGetIvxhLyJg2gcIt_vocAzle6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Merlin5x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="999" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2thwB1mrr8/XlFxxiqk6iI/AAAAAAAACf0/rgyUmCrGetIvxhLyJg2gcIt_vocAzle6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Merlin5x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final day was spent watching the SemiP Sandpiper again at Gutcher, awaiting the time to head to the ferry. There was still time for some final excitement though, as news came through of a Bonelli's Warbler on Burra. As this was almost on the way to the ferry in Lerwick a mad dash ensued to get to the location. There were at least 50 people looking into a dense area of hedgerow, and the warbler was soon located again, giving brief but close views before another dash to the ferry for the long journey home:</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRKZdengDUA/XlFz3a4ObOI/AAAAAAAACgI/C6r-8O8z5kovlFIf3Bq8qHVALf-L7D5XACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bonelli%2527s%2BWarbler%2B%2528Western%25291x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="850" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRKZdengDUA/XlFz3a4ObOI/AAAAAAAACgI/C6r-8O8z5kovlFIf3Bq8qHVALf-L7D5XACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Bonelli%2527s%2BWarbler%2B%2528Western%25291x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK-j4EuXNJ8/XlFz3OMyxBI/AAAAAAAACgE/MM5RVH1ikFwR7Ba821RHaxViRi5Zma2-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bonelli%2527s%2BWarbler%2B%2528Western%25292x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="850" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK-j4EuXNJ8/XlFz3OMyxBI/AAAAAAAACgE/MM5RVH1ikFwR7Ba821RHaxViRi5Zma2-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Bonelli%2527s%2BWarbler%2B%2528Western%25292x.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaving Lerwick, Shetland, October 2019:</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEmdR7G3s8s/XlF3dY-3LfI/AAAAAAAACgU/9fqEQwr4HkkWkYbAwOG_STYREipki30QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Lerwick3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEmdR7G3s8s/XlF3dY-3LfI/AAAAAAAACgU/9fqEQwr4HkkWkYbAwOG_STYREipki30QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Lerwick3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhhnue00Lvc/XlF4hCV1CsI/AAAAAAAACgg/Ttl9PKaM0vMR3mmUOf3hNYoPsNHH7aOkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4564.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhhnue00Lvc/XlF4hCV1CsI/AAAAAAAACgg/Ttl9PKaM0vMR3mmUOf3hNYoPsNHH7aOkACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_4564.PNG" width="358" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for looking!</span>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-66006870260492962019-09-30T13:48:00.001-07:002019-09-30T13:48:54.060-07:00Wandering Chough<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This young Chough was found on the Cheshire / Derbyshire border recently at Windgather Rocks (a first for Derbyshire). Normally a resident of west coast cliffs, it was a nice opportunity to photograph this characterful corvid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for looking.</span>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-2981751069684034542018-12-30T15:39:00.003-08:002018-12-30T15:39:44.162-08:00Great Egret<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few images of the Great Egret at Bretton Country Park recently:</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76TFIdsoxcg/XClRwgdlJLI/AAAAAAAACXQ/JuZwf1ad2tsaNcel8ojF-GZcssiHcjy5gCLcBGAs/s1600/GWE2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="850" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76TFIdsoxcg/XClRwgdlJLI/AAAAAAAACXQ/JuZwf1ad2tsaNcel8ojF-GZcssiHcjy5gCLcBGAs/s400/GWE2x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A female Smew found lurking under the trees:</span></div>
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<br />Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-16853565746526588662018-12-28T13:42:00.000-08:002018-12-28T13:42:04.463-08:00Shetland 2018<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a selection of images from the October 2018 Shetland trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the way up! American White-winged Scoter, Musselburgh:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melodious Warbler, Lunna, Mainland:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Common Rosefinch:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A proper Record Shot! The rarest bird of the trip - River Warbler on Unst:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Citrine Wagtail on Bressay:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raven, Mainland:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesser Whitethroat, Sumburgh Head, Mainland:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hooded Crow, Lerwick, Mainland:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Black Guillemots:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great Skua, Loch of Spiggie, Mainland:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shetland images:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best bird of the trip, but not on Shetand - Bee-eater, Haltwhistle, Northumberland:</span></div>
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<br />Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-74524042209567028572018-03-11T15:47:00.000-07:002018-03-11T15:47:55.339-07:00Yellow Browed In Barnsley<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A quick visit to Wombwell Ings to see the overwintering Yellow-browed warbler was worth it; the bird was found very quickly and showed well a few feet away.</span><br />
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<br />Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-54537591672831373812018-03-11T15:09:00.001-07:002018-03-11T15:13:16.934-07:00Cold Weather Visitor<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This lone Fieldfare arrived in my garden as it snowed heavily, feeding on nothing but apples from dawn to dusk for 5 days. It vanished the day the snow thawed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-30552598276153220132018-03-11T15:01:00.001-07:002018-03-11T15:01:19.236-07:00February Brambling<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of shots of a <b>Brambling</b> at Titchwell, Norfolk in February:</span><br />
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<br />Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-5104186840209050342018-01-21T14:09:00.001-08:002018-01-21T14:09:26.734-08:00Not a Waxwing Winter<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This single Waxwing at Sprotborough seems to have got the wrong message and made the journey to the UK this winter - one of only a few in the country at present. Not surprisingly, it has found a nice cotoneaster to hang around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for looking!</span><br />
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<br />Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-12728454077787021762018-01-21T13:47:00.002-08:002018-01-21T13:48:04.444-08:00Hawfinch at Broomhill Flash<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lone<b> Hawfinch</b> currently visiting Broomhill Flash - early morning at drinking pool:</span><br />
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<br />Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491684716144410916.post-33986753705190524652018-01-04T14:49:00.000-08:002018-01-04T14:49:08.935-08:00Hawfinch Action<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Better late than never! With a couple of spare days over Christmas, I finally managed to locate some Hawfinches. A group had been present around the church in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, for a couple of weeks. I didn't expect so many; a flock of around 20 in the area, and whilst they were generally quite distant, a few occasionally appeared nearer to the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for looking!</span><br />
<br />Tom Hineshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13280001930382971157noreply@blogger.com0