Stunning day, a balmy 12.5 degrees and SE winds! After Andy J. found a Spotted Flycatcher in Lerwick this morning, I decided this must be one here. I have had a Spot Fly in the tall trees opposite my garden before. I spent a long time searching my road and different areas of Scalloway but only found Siskins. I also checked out the areas where the Golden Oriole had been but found nothing other than a Blackbird and House Sparrows. Someone had found the first Cuckoo of the year at Kergord.
Sycamores in Ladysmith Road, Scalloway
Sitting in my front garden, Scalloway
Leebitten – Pectoral Sandpiper feeding on the shore
Sandsayre Pier, Leebitten, Sandwick
Headed to Leebitten where visiting birder Andy H. had found a cracking Pectoral Sandpiper feeding on the shore amongst the seaweed with Turnstones and one Purple Sandpiper. I sat with Hugh and Anne photographing this in the sunshine – as we sat still and in silence, the Pectoral Sandpiper walked right up to us and then a bit later it decided to sit in the seaweed to have a snooze until the Turnstones got it moving again! The entire scene was a wonderful spectacle with gulls bathing at the waters edge and the Mousa Ferry going back and forth with trips. I sat at the picnic table to have my lunch and then left and headed to Noness. I sat on the cliffs – the sea was glittering in the sunshine and the first Sea Thrift was out in flower. I video called Vivien who was doing her monthly visit to Lucy and showed them the view where I sitting, Lucy seemed impressed. A very small bee was on the pink thrift – I'm not good at bee ID, which I need to get better at. I suddenly felt a whoosh of air close over my head, a Bonxie had almost skimmed my head and headed over the clifftops – this reminded me of the Bonxies that come for you on Ward Hill on Fair Isle, which is a seriously scary experience. It was an idyllic spot to be enjoying the sunshine and there were lots of lambs in the field alongside the road.
Pink Sea Thrift on the cliffs at Noness
Walked along Swinister Burn and found 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Blackbirds. The sun had gone in and it all looked quite dull now. I watched a Wren with a feather in its beak head for a hole just under the riverbank, which I thought was very unusual. Seconds after this I heard a huge commotion of splashing water – a cocker spaniel off lead was charging all the way through and along the burn with owner shouting at it to come back and of course it didn't, no recall whatsoever. There was another dog owner with a dog off lead here too although that was better behaved overall. Swinister Burn has sadly got a poor reputation for dogs off lead here, which is why I don't go there very often.
At The Orca Inn there were no birds at all. I was on route to walk my favourite Geosetter Burn when a message came up that a singing Icterine Warbler was in a garden at Scousburgh, so I naturally switched direction. It was a garden I was unfamiliar with, but found it and also found Anne's car so I knew I was in the right place, but couldn't see her anywhere. I walked all around the circumference of the garden (fields) and then found Anne who had seen the Icterine briefly. We stood for a long time at the entrance to the driveway of the garden and eventully the Icterine showed briefly for Anne, I saw a movement but couldn't get on it, so can't count it! There were some lovely Linnets here, a Blackbird and House Sparrows. It was freezing cold by the time we left. Drove home via the road over Mossy Hill that comes out on the main road by Levenwick – it was totally foggy up here and I had a job to see the road, which I hadn't expected! I was back home too late to think about lighting the fire and it was chilly in my house. Bird feeders all empty again! SE winds again tomorrow, but 45mph and rain!
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