Northern Long-tailed Tits at Yell!

NORTHERN LONG-TAILED TIT

Sound, Yell

 

A very successful day all round! Finally after months, I have sold the elephant coffee table! The person who wanted it lived on Yell, so I agree to take it over for them – tick! Very pleased about this as I had moved it into the shed and didn't want the wood affected as its a really lovely table, just simple didn't go with my new decor. The lady who bought it was very happy indeed.

On route to Toft I had 6 Red Grouse fly across the road, a real treat! I got the 8.15am ferry from Toft to Ulsta on Yell. It wasn't the smoothest of crossings – I had to concentrate! I knew it wasn't going to be smooth with the state of the sea over the last couple of days. Mixed weather today with sun, some rain, rainbows and a bitterly cold NW wind. I felt like I was back on the Norfolk coast!

The last house at Sound where the Northern Long-tailed Tits were feeding early morning

 

I particularly loved this garden at Sound

 Northern Long-tailed Tits at Sound

 

 

The site where the Northern Long-tailed Tits were is only a matter of minutes away at "Sound" and I soon found where it was – a minor road going off from the A968 with only a handful of very pretty houses and gardens. I was the only birder here at this point. It didn't take too long to find them – they were feeding in the grass next to the stone wall of the very last house. They were totally cute and adorable, but hardly kept still. This is the first time I have ever seen Northern Long-tailed Tits, they are very flamboyant! What I loved was the fact that they never left each other's side, always together. I didn't get any prize winning shots, but got enough to keep me happy and add some excitement to the blog! One picture I took was at very close range, was very sharp, cracking pose, but headless (head turned away) 😂 Nice to meet the owner at the first house, who said I could go in his garden, which was very kind – I walked round the back of the house twice, but didn't see the NLTT's in there. A gorgeous tabby cat lives at this house, who sat with his paws on his tail (see picture).

Keeping paws warm on tail!

 

Other birds seen were 1 Robin, Blackbirds, 2 Goldcrest, male and female Blackcaps and lots of Starlings. Jim N. turned up with a friend and I left him here photographing whilst I headed north to deliver the coffee table. I then popped into the "Hillshop" for the first time. Good selection of groceries etc and a much needed loo! I then spent quite a while trying to find my own birds – I failed with that. On route back I had a Merlin fly across the road.

Returned to Sound for a last look at the Northern Long-tailed Tits – bouncing around at massive speeds and never still and more elusive than they were this morning. Even colder now than earlier. Left and caught the 4pm ferry back to Toft. For the first time ever I went to, Frankie's in Brae for a fish supper (at £15, the most expensive chippy here), but didn't eat in as I felt tired and wanted to get home. Everyone says its the best fish 'n' chip shop here, but to be honest I didn't see much of a difference between "The Fort" and "Da Harbour Chippy" in Lerwick. A lovely but very chilly day out!