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.

Two birders found an Icterine Warbler and a Rustic Bunting at "Breks" – a road and area that I realised that I can't recall visting before on previous trips. Found the red house (Kenaby) 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.

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!

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.

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 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!