I just had to go and see this after work. This cracker of a bird was found by Phil Harris earlier today. I arrived at the Noss Junction at Loch of Spiggie – no other birders here. I checked with two local people that it was ok to walk through the sheep field to the shore of the loch and they said there have been a lot of birders here today and fishermen go down there two. I slowly walked down to the area where there is a small beach. Anne E. turned up and together we tried to find the Grey Phalarope, crossing two dykes and made our way to the beach area. No luck for a while and both of us were beginning to think it had disappeared. Anne and I decided to split and said we would wave like hell if either of us found it. Anne retraced her steps to the area we had just walked past and I walked further on.
I happened to glance round and Anne was waving! I quickly joined her and honestly I have never seen such a stunning and striking bird as this, there are not any words to fully describe the joy of seeing this bird. I have never seen one in this plumage before and maybe never will again! Just WOW! Dare I say that it has has more than possibly outshone the Eyebrowed Thrush for me and that's saying something! The wind was very strong and it was a challenge to hold the camera steady. What a week so far! A few House Martins and Swallows graced the loch along with some Mute Swans – a beautiful scene all round. Kevin Kelly joined us a bit later and then Jim N. and Alan.
I left here and had a drive around Boddam Voe. Saw four Shelduck, but no young – hope they are all ok! Raining now and best of the light had gone. Drove to Levenwick and was shocked to find all the belt of trees next to the pumping station down by the beach had been chopped to the ground! Its a real shame as this has spoilt the view of this little area and the pumping station now stands out like a sore thumb and isn't exactly pretty to look at, the trees here obscurred most of it and those trees and area held a Lanceolated Warbler last Autumn! I asked a local man if he knew why and he did tell me, but I feel I need to check on this information before writing something I shouldn't be. Returned home and as expected I didn't have many 'keepers' when I downloaded around 380 photos, but very pleased I managed to get some pleasing shots. Torrential rain again as I finish this post.
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You said it eclipsed almost the Eyebrowed Thrush.... it should be renamed indeed, and quickly.... the Painted Phalarope!!
ReplyDeleteAll other birds that attractive are usually called the Painted Something.
Also, with a female in full fancy dress, is there a male sitting on a nest out in the wilds somewhere... because 'tis he who is a househusband and sits hatching the eggs.
Lovely photos...
{And some cretin calling you a twitcher indeed.... no, you are a semi-pro bird photographer... look at the number you've had published!!}
Speaking with one of the locals about the chopping down of that belt of trees, it seems that it was done as part of the Shetland TV series 'requirements'...
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