Fair Isle Trip – Day Four!

RUSTIC BUNTING

Wallie Burn by Auld Haa

 

It was raining again today and very little sunshine until the afternoon. Ashley Banwell was on a roll and had posted no end of messages out on the Fair Isle WhatsApp group before most people had even crawled out of bed!!! He must have got up at 3am I reckon! I did not get up that early.

RUSTIC BUNTING

Wallie Burn by Auld Haa

 

I started off with the Rustic Bunting again as wanted to see if I could get any better shots. Liz, Nick, Tom (I think) and Ashley B. were on site when I arrived. The Rustic Bunting was feeding well at close range in the rain. The RB flew across to the wall and sang for ages, so beautiful to listen to. Everyone left and I was here on my own until Andy H. arrived and stood by the entrance to Tommy's garden – he put out news of a Hobby going over which I didn't see and also a Common Rosefinch in the garden, which I heard singing later on when I was on my own. Four birds flew into the chicken run at "Auld Haa" (Tommy's house) and was delighted to see they were Siskins. I was drenched now and the camera needed to be sorted and the only way to achieve this was by getting inside somewhere. I made my way up to the chapel by the museum and sat on a seat to sort out my wet gear, dried camera with my travel towel and packed away into the rucksack. Beautiful stained glass windows here which I took some pictures of. Went to the Kirk to use the toilet and then checked out "Da Water" which had 2 Shelducks and a Tufted Duck. Couldn't find anything of note at "Burkle".

Burkle

 

Windows inside The Kirk

 

There were 2 Linnets in the garden opposite Schoolton. Sat on the seat at Schoolton to try again for the Icterine Warbler, failed again! Ashley joined me and we chatted birds and RAR. Hello to Claudia (Ashley's very beautiful wife) and daughter Alice if you are reading this! Left Ashley sitting on the bench and followed the footpath to the shop and checked out Vaila's Trees – only found a Sedge Warbler here and a Chiffchaff. Checked out the next garden, nothing.

Ben – who seeks out anyone new to play ball with

A very sweet natured dog – must be the first canine I have featured on my blog!

 

At "Chalet" I found 2 Chiffchaffs – had a rest sitting on the steps and then continued to The Plantation where someone earlier had had an Icterine Warbler. Spent ages here and could see no sign of an Icterine Warbler but did have two female Siskins and a Painted Lady butterfly. Didn't have the energy to walk any further so retraced my steps back south. I looked very bedraggled with wet muddy trousers and wet derrière from sitting on moss!

A very amusing sheepdog who I think someone told me is called Ben spotted me coming a mile off (he did this yesterday) sprinted like Usain Bolt with his rubber toy from a long distance away and dropped it at my feet, then crouched down in a pouncing position and waited. If I didn't kick it straight away, he would pick up the toy and drop it at my feet again. After about 10 times (at least) of kicking the ball down the hill I was worn out, but he kept bringing it back. Then another dog joined in too as he realised he was missing out on all the fun! Double trouble!

Met a lovely couple from America called Mark and Chris who were staying at the obs and on their first day had been driven to see the Northern Parula – I don't think they had realised the rarity magnitude of this bird until I explained it all to them. Anyway, I helped them ID some birds they had found, one of which was a Moorhen and possibly a young Redshank on "Da Water".

Sheep near The Plantation

 

Beach near the Auld Haa 

 

Watched a pair of Skylarks in courtship on the road, but my camera was still tucked up in the bag. Heard a snipe drumming, Curlews and Lapwings calling, Skylarks singing wherever I walked and Twite and Meadow Pipits singing too. Checked out "Chalet" again when news came through of a Western Subalpine Warbler on Unst, Shetland – surely there had to be one here somewhere?! Shirva had a Chiffchaff, but I have not been lucky in seeing other birds found in this garden, which include Hawfinch and a Marsh Warbler. Checked out Vaila's trees again, nothing.

News came on the WhatsApp group of 5 Orca including bull and a calf around Buness and heading east. 2 male birders very kindly asked me if I wanted a lift, but couldn't really as dinner was at 7pm. Long story short, I was over the moon to pick them up distantly from the South Lighthouse at just before 7pm. My first Orca's seen off Fair Isle, SO pleased! Found a birder's notebook on the steps at the lighthouse and quickly found the owner after posting it on the WhatsApp group. What a fabulous end to the day. Tomorrow could be interesting, more about that on Monday!

Sunset from South Light

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

King Eider 1w. fem still north of Twageos Road, Lerwick. 

Little Stint at Boddam Voe.

ISLANDS

Ring-billed Gull on the Bressay side of Noss Sound, Isle of Noss.  

Western Subalpine Warbler at Monbrettia Cottage, Haroldswick, Unst,

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

Fair Isle Trip – Day Three!

Saturday 30th May

Very sunny all day until late afternoon and was actually too hot! 

My coat was still drying out this morning but dried out by the time I had finished breakfast! I had a leisurely start today. I had a lift to the shop where I bought a few snacks. Checked out Vaila's Trees and found 2 Mealy Redpolls, but wasn't quick enough to photograph them before they flew off towards the next garden, also Sedge Warbler here and the remains of a Teal. Walked to the next garden where I found a Chiffchaff. Cut across the footpath to Schoolton where I sat on the bench seat for ages trying to see the Icterine Warbler which was seen again this morning – failed to show whilst I was there.

Kenaby

 

Two birders found an Icterine Warbler at "Brecks" and a Rustic Bunting at "Kenaby" a large white house – a road and area that I realised that I can't recall visting before on previous trips. Found the red house (Brecks) where the Icterine Warbler had been found and it eventually put an a very brief appearance, but sadly not long enough to get a picture. I didn't see the Rustic Bunting here which Tommy said later had to be a second bird as when news came through of this, he was photographing the Rustic Bunting in his garden. A Red-necked Phalarope had been found on "Da Water' which was very close to where I was but then news came out that it was not there now! Made my way up to "Chalet' where I was going to have lunch but changed my mind when Tommy came past in his car to chat to another driver. I asked Tommy if his was going to the obs – he was, so kindly gave me a lift.

North Haven

 

 Pond by observatory

 

Red-backed Shrike, male in observatory garden

 

Seal in the North Haven 

  

The lovely male Red-backed Shrike was showing pretty well on and off, which was good to see. Also found a couple of Chiffchaffs in the garden and a Red Admiral and a Tortoiseshell Butterfly. Headed over to North Haven and sat here for lunch enjoying the spectacular views of the beach and beyond here. A seal was in the harbour along with Black Guillemots, Eiders, Fulmars and Gannets distantly. A Rock Pipit was on the foreshore and I had my first Painted Lady of the year!

Near the double dyke trap, not far from the observatory

 

Finnequoy and The Gully

 

The Plantation 

 

It was really hot now and if I had had a teashirt, that's all you would have needed, but I had come unprepared for hot weather so had to put up with my thermal layers! I had forgotten about Finnequoy, so glad I didn't miss this out before I leave. In the trees at the bottom of the valley by the stream a small LBJ flicked through the foliage. I waited and waited. Another movement and it then flew extreme left of the trees, the second I focussed to where it flew, it disappeared again, so frustrating! I had to give up in the end and later told an obs team member so they could check it out. At The Plantation I didn't manage to find a single bird in here, which surprised me. Found another Painted Lady butterfly along the road. So lovely to see all the Spring flowers out here including Spring Squill, Bird's-foot Trefoil and Cuckooflower.

After walking up a very long section of road in the heat, it was a joy to find a bench to rest on at the top of the road – sat here for around 15 minutes and then carried on. Somewhere near "Setter" I bumped into Norfolk birder Ashley Banwell (I had heard from others he was arriving today). Ashley had come in on the Good Shepherd and was supposed to have arrived yesterday by plane, but all flights cancelled due to poor visibility. Whilst having a catch up, Ashley found a Ruff out on the field between "Chalet" and "Pund" and there were loads of hirundines in the air over a house back down the road. Ashley went south and I headed north.

The Chapel and Kirki Mire

 

I checked out Vaila's Trees again but didn't find anything at all this time. The weather had deteriorated a little with very light rain. I felt totally shattered but went to The Auld Haa Garden and Walli Burn to have a second look at the Rustic Bunting, but couldn't find it anywhere.

After dinner, I was kindly taken out for at night out at the obs – a presentation about the Borneo Nature Foundation which was very interesting and the room was packed out. Afterwards we had a drink in the bar. Met a young lady who lived on Shetland, who was here for a short visit doing a knitting experience trip (think that's what she said) who was nice to meet and also chatted with Tracy who works at the observatory, very nice lady. However the highlight of the entire evening for me was saying hello to Stewart Thompson who remembers Richard Richardson visiting Fair Isle, but an even bigger surprise was the fact that he also remembers Geoff Want from Norwich, Norfolk too! I couldn't believe it! I don't know anyone left that remembers Geoff. Stewart said he had some of Geoff's paintings and I told him I did too. Such a lovely evening, but now behind with typing the blog up, which I have just finished. Pictures are going to have be added when I return home to Scalloway, don't want to waste any valuable sleep and birding time here on my short visit. Goodnight!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Red-backed Shrike fem at Hillwell.

King Eider 1w. fem off beach at Gulberwick.

Little Stint at Boddam.

King Eider 1w. fem still north of Twageos Road, Lerwick.

Turtle Dove in garden at West Sandwick. 

ISLANDS

Pacific Diver ad. off The Taing, Quail singing, Icterine Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Little Stint still on beach at Haroldswick, Northern Diver ad drk (possible) still at shore station, Burrafirth, Unst.

Greenish Warbler at Skaw, Isle of Whalsay.

Ring-billed Gull still at Voe of the Mels, Noss. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

Fair Isle Trip – Day Two!

RUSTIC BUNTING
Wallie Burn, Auld Haa

The alarm went off at 5am and I was out of the door birding at 5.45am. It was a little gloomy first thing, but then the morning developed into full blue skies and sunshine. However the afternoon was fairly heavy rain and I ended up completely soaked. Finished birding at 6.30pm.

Shirva

 

Walked as far as the shop and Vaila's Trees before breakfast which was at 8am. Birds seen on route were Arctic Terns, Arctic Skuas, Bonxies, Fulmars, Ringed Plovers. Counted 40 Oystercatchers in a field. 2 Collared Doves were on the roof of Shirva and there was also a Chiffchaff there. At Vaila's Trees (where the Northern Parula was 😢 a day ago) I found 2 Sedge Warblers, a Common Whitethroat and what could only been a Garden Warbler briefly and distantly. Also watched two Twite feeding in the grass by the shop. Just got back in time for breakfast.

Twite by Stackhoull Stores

 

 

Bird Observatory

 

Bird Observatory and garden

 

Willow Warbler in the observatory garden 

 

Pond by observatory and North Haven
Pier works going on!

  

Sheep Rock

 

North Haven

 

I asked my friend for a lift to the shop, so I could continue birding from there, but changed my mind and was kindly given a lift to the observatory. The sun was glorious now. The new observatory looks truly amazing! Went inside and asked for an up-to-date map and was kindly invited into the lounge area whilst someone got me a map. Met Andy Hall who had found the Pectoral Sandpiper at Sandsyre Pier at Leebitten, Shetland recently. The lounge and dining area looks stunning. Left here and walked down to North Haven and the sea looked so beautiful with turquoise clear waters and took quite a few pictures here. Walked back up the obs garden and spent a while trying to find something. Found a Chiffchaff and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. A few people had seen Painted Ladies today, but I didn't see any.

RUSTIC BUNTING
Wallie Burn, Auld Haa 

 

I was just walking up the hill to bird along the main road when a message came up that a Rustic Bunting had been found at Wallie Burn by Auld Haa (Tommy's house). I have only ever seen one before anywhere so phoned my friend to ask her to if she could pick me up. Around 15 minutes later I was on site with several other birders! Had a distant view looking straight into the sun, so walked around the burn to be the opposite side for photography reasons which is what Steve Arlow and others were also doing. The Rustic Bunting was a cracking bird, really striking, Wow! Quite happily feeding along the burn and was sometimes perched on the wall singing!!! Never heard a Rustic Bunting singing before! Met Warden Alex Penn here. I eventually tore myself away. Had a lovely catch up chatting with Tommy in his funky colourful trousers.

Auld Haa

 

Chiffchaff in garden at Schoolton 

 

 

Made my way to Schoolton (Liz and Nick's garden) where Liz had found an Icterine Warbler. I stopped on route at Burkle where two birders had flushed a Quail from a small copse below the chapel and it headed to Burkle but we didn't see it. I found a Redpoll which turned out to be a Mealy that was with 3 Twite on the fence line at the furthest point in the garden. Continued to Schoolton and sat and waited for the Icterine Warbler to appear. Steve A said he had seen it, but he thought it had flown towards Burkle. I had my lunch here sat on a seat but didn't seen the Icterine Warbler. Couple of Chiffchaffs in the garden and Rock Doves. At "Da Water" I found 2 Shelducks.

The Chapel

 

 

Vaila's Trees

 

Vaila's Trees and Stackhoull Stores

 

Fulmars near Auld Haa

 

Common Rosefinch near Auld Haa 

 

 

 Walked back up the main road and ambled back towards all the main gardens and shop area. At "Chalet" the rain came down heavily enough for me to have to scramble to put my camera away in rucksack. Found 2 Chiffchaffs in Chalet garden. Someone had found a Common Rosefinch in the same burn area as the Rustic Bunting so was planning to try and see that later. On route I met Tom (lovely lad) who was the finder of the Northern Parula and congratulated him on his insane find! In the continued heavy rain I didn't really find anything else of note, but did find 1 Snipe. Spent a good while checking out Vaila's Trees again and other gardens. Returned to the Wallie Burn and there was one other person out in the pouring rain, a young lad who was with NatureTrek and he had the Common Rosefinch, so this helped me enormously. It was feeding in a small burn that ran away from a stone wall. I went through a double gate and stood and photographed this in a short break in the rain (lucky me and camera) and then had to put the camera gear away quickly as the rain fell again. Returned "home", had an awesome tea and felt completely burnt out.

South Lighthouse

 

I was invited to be taken to the bird log at 8pm at the observatory, but was totally cream-crackered. Started to go through my six hundred and something pictures of the Rustic Bunting and Common Rosefinch and was falling asleep. Gave up, had a shower and went to bed early and slept like a log.