We were on the road this morning early and left the accommodation for 7.00am as we wanted a full days birding.First target bird of the day were Parrot Crossbills that have arrived in Shetland over the last couple of days.They haven't been seen on the Islands for the last 23 Years so we headed to Sand on the mainland to try and see them.It didn't take long before I saw a female bird at the top of a conifer tree.
FEMALE PARROT CROSSBILL
We carried on a looking around the site but we cound only find this single bird and a Pied Flycatcher.
PIED FLYCATCHER
Moving on from here we called in at numerous places and saw good numbers of migrant birds.
LOOKING OVER TOWARDS STOMNESS VOE ON THE WAY BACK TO CENTRAL MAINLAND
We called in at Lower Voe mid afternoon and connected with another Rustic Bunting and a Red Breasted Flycatcher.
RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER'S HAVE BEEN IN GOOD NUMBERS ON SHETLAND THIS YEAR
OUR THIRD RUSTIC BUNTING OF THE TRIP
Whist we were watching this news came out that a Buff Bellied Pipit had been found at Grutness on a pool near the toilet block so we headed south.The bird was showing on arrival not far from the road,at last a Yank passerine could this be the start of something big!
WHAT A LITTLE CRACKER! MY FOURTH FOR BRITAIN
BIRDERS WATCHING THE BUFF BELLIED PIPIT
A good days birding and hopefully more birds will be found as the weather is set to calm down a bit.
LIST OF BIRDS SEEN TODAY:
1 Pied Flycatcher
1 Red Breasted Flycatcher
2 Spotted Flycatchers
4 Redstart
8 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
6 Song Thrush
8 Yellow Browed warblers
1 Parrot Crossbill
50+ Meadow Pipits
10+ Skylarks
