Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
White-billed Diver again off West Burrafirth, but no further sign from mid afternoon, north of Walls.
Quail still at Setter, Sandwick.
ISLANDS
Quails x 3 on Out Skerries.
Arrived at West Burrafirth Harbour fairly early and was overjoyed to see the very striking White-billed Diver fairly close to the bank, but the light was appalling. The sun didn't come out at all today. Most of the time, the WBD was very distant in the harbour and at times disappeared from view around the cliffs. It only came close a second time, not quite as close as when I first saw it, but then it resurfaced very close to a handful of photographers when it was out of view for me as I was parked in front of a caravan and hadn't realised where it had resurfaced, unluckily. That's the luck of the draw as they say! Fabulous bird to watch and there were lots of other birds to see too – the supporting cast were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers very close before anyone else turned up, a Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Guillemots, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Fulmars, Common and Arctic Terns. The WBD then seemed to have disappeared altogether by mid afternoon. I drove up to the end of the voe (the furthest you can drive to a dead end and house) as did a couple of birders before me but couldn't find it.
Went to "Da Gairdins" at Sand, which is ideally viewed on a sunny day, which today wasn't at all, but still enjoyed an amble around these spectacular gardens. Drove to the "Original Cake Fridge", hoping for their divine lemon and coconut cake (which I had a very long time ago), but none there. Spitting with rain on and off all day long. Lit the fire when I got home as it was considerably colder than the last few days. Will sort out all my pictures for the last three days tomorrow. Monday is an extra public holiday to celebrate Scotland's participation in the FIFA Men's
World Cup, so not back to work until Tuesday!
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