Fair Isle Trip – Day Four!

It was raining again today and very little sunshine until the afternoon. Ashley Banwell was on a roll and had posted no end of messages out on the Fair Isle WhatsApp group before most people had even crawled out of bed!!! He must have got up at 3am I reckon! I did not get up that early.

I started off with the Rustic Bunting again as wanted to see if I could get any better shots. Liz, Nick, Tom (I think) and Ashley B. were on site when I arrived. The Rustic Bunting was feeding well at close range in the rain. The RB flew across to the wall and sang for ages, so beautiful to listen too. Everyone left and I was here on my own until Andy H. arrived and stood by the entrance to Tommy's garden – he put out news of a Hobby going over which I didn't see and also a Common Rosefinch in the garden, which I heard singing later on when I was on my own. Four birds flew into the chicken run at The Haa (Tommy's house) and was delighted to see they were Siskins. I was drenched now and the camera needed to be sorted and the only way to achieve this was by getting inside somewhere. I made my way up to the kirk by the museum and sat on a seat to sort out my wet gear, dried camera with my travel towel and pack away into the rucksack. Beautiful stained glass windows here which I took some pictures of. Went to the other kirk to use the toilet and then checked out "Da Water" which had 2 Shelducks and a Tufted Duck. Couldn't find anything of note in Burkle.

There were 2 Linnets in the garden opposite Schoolton. Sat on the seat at Schoolton to try again for the Icterine Warbler, failed again! Ashley joined me and we chatted birds and RAR. Hello to Claudia (Ashley's very beautiful wife) and daughter Alice if you are reading this! Left Ashley sitting on the bench and followed the footpath to the shop and checked out Vaila's Trees – only found a Sedge Warbler here and a Chiffchaff. Checked out the next garden, nothing.

At "Chalet" I found 2 Chiffchaffs – had a rest sitting on the steps and then continued to The Plantation where someone earlier had had an Icterine Warbler. Spent ages here and could see no sign of an Icterine Warbler but did have two female Siskens and a Painted Lady butterfly. Didn't have the energy to walk any further so retraced my steps back south. I looked very bedraggled with wet muddy trousers and wet derrière from sitting on moss! A very amusing sheepdog who I think someone told me is called Ben spotted me coming a mile off (he did this yesterday) sprinted like Usain Bolt with his rubber toy from a long distance away and dropped it at my feet, then crouched down in a pouncing position and waited. If I didn't kick it straight away, he would remove the toy and drop it at my feet again. After about 10 times (at least) of kicking the ball down the hill I was worn out, but he kept bringing it back. Then another dog joined in too as he realised he was missing out on all the fun! Double trouble! Met a lovely couple from America called Mark and Chris who were staying at the obs and on their first day had been driven to see the Northern Parula – I don't think they had realised the rarity magnitude of this bird until I explained it all to them. Anyway, I helped them ID some birds they had found, one of which was a Moorhen and possibly a young Redshank on Da Water.

Watched a pair of Skylarks in courtship on the road, but my camera was still tucked up in the bag. Heard a snipe drumming, Curlews and Lapwings calling, Skylarks singing wherever I walked and Twite and Meadow Pipits singing too. Checked out "Chalet" again when news came through of a Western Subalpine Warbler on Unst, Shetland – surely there had to be one here somewhere?! Shirva had a Chiffchaff, but I have not been lucky in seeing other birds found in this garden, which include Hawfinch and a Marsh Warbler. Checked out Vaila's trees again, nothing. News came on the WhasApp group of 5 Orca including bull and a calf around Buness and heading east. 2 male birders very kindly asked me if I wanted a lift, but couldn't really as dinner was at 7pm. Long story short, I was over the moon to pick them up distantly from the South Lighthouse at just before 7pm. My first Orca's seen off Fair Isle, SO pleased! Found a birder's notebook on the steps at the lighthouse and quickly found the owner after posting it on the WhatsApp group. What a fabulous end to the day. Tomorrow could be interesting, more about that on Monday!