Saturday 11th October
Jill and Rob kindly invited me to join to spend the day with them on Unst to try and look for the Blackpoll Warbler. The weather was forecast to be much calmer today and we felt there was a chance it could still be around somewhere, fingers crossed!
I met Jill and Rob at Toft and we caught the 7.45am ferry over to Ulsta on Yell, then drove north to Gutcher to get the next ferry to Belmont on Unst. Headed straight to Haroldswick. Light drizzle on and off all day and a little bit of sunshine now and again, but no wind at all really. Only a couple of birders looking, one of whom was local birder Robbie Brookes, nice to meet you. We throughly checked the field out where it was last seen yesterday, the beach area and other surrounding gardens including the garden it was first found in at "Rockfield" – the owner very calmy and confidently said that "it would be out, once the sun was out" – I loved his optimism, but sadly that was not to be. Saw an Otter in the sea and later in the kelp on the foreshore, several Wheatears, Snipe, Rock and Meadow Pipits, Wren, Blackbirds and two Swallows skimming around the bay. We went for a quick hot drink in a cafe/shop nearby.
Headed to Norwick and to the famous and fabulous garden "Valyie". Here we saw a Yellow-browed Warbler, several male and female Blackcaps, a Wren, Collared Doves, Goldcrest, House Sparrows and Rob saw a Brambling from the car. Bumped into Jason Stannage here and had a wee chat about moving here, life etc etc which was nice. Sadly, the three Glossy Ibises were not seen today.
Hearing news that the Bluethroat was showing at Baltasound, we headed there to try our luck. We did see the Bluethroat after quite a wait, but only briefly on the edge of some rosa rugosa/stone wall next to a stubby field near to the post office. Very poor pictures, but felt we were lucky to see it! Lots of House Sparrows in the field, along with one Skylark and some male and female Chaffinches. Bought some yummy looking "Eton Mess" biscuits and coffee buns from Skibhoul Stores. Photographed the sign for the most northerly post office and a gorgeous cat sitting contentedly with eyes closed in an open doorway. I checked out a large walled garden on the hill, which looked like a perfect Siberian Rubythroat garden, with lawn and borders of a variety of plants and shrubs.
Returned to Haroldswick for another round of trying to find the Blackpoll Warbler and then drove to the ferry to head back to Yell. Drove to Cullivoe Marina to see the Red-breasted Flycatcher in the small plantation. Such joy watching this gorgeous little bird and after a while, we also realised there were two!!! Also a Goldcrest in here was an added bonus. Photographed the very photogenic seals in the marina and then headed to the ferry and arrived back at Toft, where Jill and Rob dropped me off and I drove home to Scalloway. Foggy drive back. Huge thanks to Jill and Rob for taking me out!
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Hi penny it was really nice meeting you today I also enjoyed are little chat Shame about the Blackpoll hopefully there will be a other x
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for another Blackpoll Warbler! Enjoy the rest of your trip here Jason, hopefully there will be something else exciting soon!
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