When I saw news of a Savannah Sparrow found at Skaw, Unst today and a Western Oriental Turtle Dove found at Hillwell and almost both birds found within a short time of each other, I knew I had booked the wrong week off, well maybe, time will tell! There is no way of getting to Unst and back home again after work, so there was no point in getting stressed, you can't see every bird when you have to work. Jill and Rob made it to Unst and Jill got some stunning pictures!
I had to return home to meet a contractor about a job at my house, which is a very urgent situation (not going into this on the blog) and this meeting finished around 6pm. I then flew south to see the Western Oriental Turtle Dove found by Hugh Harrop and Paul Harvey at Hillwell. Phoned Hugh for exact directions and ended up watching this stunning bird feeding with 2 Collared Doves in a ploughed field at Hillwell and in perfect evening light, just wow! A new bird for me too! Also saw my first Bonxie of the year flying over Loch of Hillwell.
Had a walk at Quendale Mill and there were at least 10 Blackbirds here, 2 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows over and lots of House Sparrows in the main trees. A Wheatear and Meadow Pipits up by the Dam and 4 Linnets on a fence wire seen.
On route home I diverted to the pools at Bigton and saw the Wood Sandpiper with a Dunlin feeding at 9.15pm! It was 10pm when I got home. Had my tea very late, as I expect many birders did tonight!
MORE PICTURES TOMORROW
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Wow, Penny.... wottabird!! The patterning and depth of colour is magnificent!!
ReplyDeleteOur Turtle Doves need to get down the tailor's pretty smartish for new outfits!!
We've got at least three pairs again this year.... lovely display flight... always happy when they make it back!!