Common Rosefinch
Found this at Vaila's Trees by Stackhoull Stores
Packed up my bag again! Thick fog here and no morning plane going (the only one from Fair Isle on a Tuesday). Had to wear yesterday's clothes which is not funny, but I'll live! Plan C will hopefully happen, which is getting a lift back to Shetland on a working barge (delivering goods back and forth for the new pier), which a few people have gone on already due to cancelled planes. The barge was supposed to leave Lerwick at 7am this morning, arriving Fair Isle at 12pm, 2 hours to unload and then return to Lerwick, but because of waiting for goods it didn't leave Lerwick until about 13.05 and its a 5 hour journey, 2 hours to unload and then will leave Fair Isle at approximately 6pm I guess, so estimate arrival in Lerwick will be midnight or later. Then I will have to hope someone can give me a lift to get my car or else pay for an expensive taxi. I obviously won't get as much sleep as I would have liked, but should be at work at my usual start time of 9am.
I had quite a lucky day really. My friend kindly dropped me at the shop and I checked out Vaila's Trees and found my first Common Rosefinch and managed to get a few pictures before it flew off somewhere behind the shop. Sedge Warbler also in here, 2 Linnets and there was a Chiffchaff in the shop garden.
Walked to the hall where there were teas and cakes and craft goods on offer as a cruise ship was visiting. Left here and walked to the observatory. On route I checked out "Chalet", then "The Plantation" where I found nothing at all. At "The Gully", Finnequoy I was overjoyed to find a Grey Wagtail by the stream and waterfall and also found a female Blackcap and a Chiffchaff in the trees at the bottom. Just before the observatory (after the double dyke trap) at "Maver's Geo", there were loads of Puffins showing.
I had a packed lunch with me but decided to save this for this evening and had lunch at the observatory. Soup was fabulous and this came with salad and bun with something in that I wasn't familiar with – after asking, I was told it was olives with something, can't remember what. I'm not a lover of olives, but ate it anyway. Discovered the huge library today, they really have done a good job on the design of the new observatory. I asked if any of the single rooms overlook the obs garden, they don't, only the twin rooms overlook the garden. The lounge and separate dining room are spacious and beautifully designed.
Took a walk up to Northlight and it was now drizzling rain and thicker fog. Bit of a waste of time really as couldn't see much. I was told that today was the anniversary of the Pallas's Reed Bunting (1 year ago) found at the Wirvie Burn just before you reach Golden Water. Made it to the Northlight where there were Puffins on the cliff edge in the foggy gloom. On the way back there was a female Mallard and male Tufted Duck on "Golden Water" which were not there on the way to the lighthouse. The usual Oystercatchers, Fulmars, Ringed Plovers, Starlings, Bonxies, Puffins, Twite and Meadow Pipits were seen on route. It was totally miserable weather now and I phoned a friend to come and pick me up so I could be indoors, dry out and wait to hear when I can get on the barge, which as I type has not arrived into North Haven yet.
I was informed that I had to be at the harbour at 6.45pm. The work barge or tug boat as it is officially called when I looked up the name of the vessel, didn't look much bigger than the Good Shepherd and I became very nervous about the forthcoming 5+ hours of travel. I'm hugely grateful for being given permission to go on this boat as I might have not got home for days. This is a working boat and not designed for passengers, but the crew were fantastic and I was allowed to chill/sleep in a cabin! We left Fair Isle just after 7pm. I was very lucky indeed and the mattress was very comfortable. Took my boots off and got comfortable and to my absolute shock, this vessel was not only a million times better than the Good Shepherd, I didn't feel the slightest bit sick! I had to climb a vertical set of steps to use the toilet and I dared to view out of port hole at one point and the state of the sea looked atrocious, so I quickly looked away and didn't look anymore! How this vessel felt as smooth as it did I really don't know – its a lot wider than the Good Shepherd, that must be partially the reason why I guess.
I napped on and off but felt restless as I was overtired. We arrived in Lerwick at about 1.15am on Wednesday. It was very cold at this time of the morning and it was foggy and spitting with rain. Another lady who also travelled was given a lift home close by and then I was very, very kindly taken to Tingwall airport where my car has been since I flew last Thursday. I'm extremely grateful for the crew member who drove me to my car and especially when he had to start work even earlier than me this morning. If you are reading this, thank you very much indeed. I drove home from Tingwall airport, arriving at about 1.30am.
I couldn't just fall into bed as had to sort some stuff. I had wet muddy trousers etc to put in the washing machine and uniform to sort for the morning etc. It was an insane hour when I finally got into bed and managed to get to work for 9am!
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Even though I'm gutted to have missed seeing the Northern Parula (by a day), I had a fabulous time on Fair Isle. It was so good to see people I knew on the island including Josie & Dave, Tommy, Hollie etc and great to see Ashley B. from Norfolk and meet some lovely visiting birders. It was nice to meet Warden Alex Penn (who was very helpful and printed me off an up-to-date map as mine was an older version) and some of the observatory staff including Chris, Tracy, Tom, Luke, Jonnie and Steve & Ruth. It was good to see the new observatory, it really does look fabulous and seems to be very well organised and I was told they have the best cook ever and I heard that people were reporting it was the best food they have ever tasted! It was good to reacquaint myself with all the place names from when I last visited in 2010 and previously. The highlight bird being the striking Rustic Bunting and finding a Common Rosefinch. Looking forward to visiting again some day. Thank you to everyone who made this trip so special. 😊
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