Back and hungry for birds

First of all, many thanks to everyone who has viewed this blog, now over 10,000 hits which is brilliant.

I start delivering photography courses for Shetland Adult Education very soon.  `Know your own camera' which starts on the 21 September 2015  (6 weeks) 9.30-12.30  is now full

If you are interested in intermediate photography courses then the first of these starts on Monday 9 November (6 weeks) 9.30-12.30 - Outdoor portraits, Seascapes, Still life, Birds in Flight, Low Light, Night Sky

Since returning from holiday i have been tied up with work although I managed to get out midweek and went down to Clickimin. Over the loch eight swallow hunted low down , while along the edge Mallard(28) Tufted (26) and Oystercatcher (86). Only a few Collard Dove and Woodpigeon. A Kestrel was chased by a Hoddie at Quarff while along the coast many Gannet fed.

I was pleased to see an otter close in at a local south Mainland site, pity weather was poor.

News came in throughout week with Pallid harrier (2) Long Billed Dowitcher, Pallas Grasshopper and Booted Warblers and many Red backed Shrike, & Barred Warblers & western Bonelli warbler.

                                                                           Spotted Flycatcher with unusual tail colour

The weekend came quick but the wind was strong, but with easterly winds in the past few days we decided to head south. Around where the Booted Warbler had showed we only found a large female Sparrowhawk and Redstart
.

Down at Grutness we came across a Little stint close up with two Dunlin, several Redshank, Ringed Plover and Turnstone down at the pool. In the garden Pied and Spotted Flycatcher and a nice Yellow Browed Warbler provided the entertainment. Several Pied Wagtails flew over and starling have started to form small flocks sitting on the many buildings in the area.

                                                                                                           Little Stint

Back in Sandwick the marsh area held Golden Plover (134) Redshank (18) Lapwing (56) Ruff(8) Turnstone(4) Snipe(6) Oystercatcher (45) lots of Rock Dove and Starling on shorter grass

                                                                                                  Yellow Browed Warbler

Sunday was better weather, sunny and sightly less wind so we headed down to Hillwell. News came through that the Pallid Harrier that we hope to see may have moved to Fair Isle and now 3 Little Stints had turned up at Grutness.

Plenty of birds to see at Hillwell, with flocks of Curlew (47) Redshank (12) Lapwing (86) joined by Mallard(36) Tufted (14)  Wigeon (36), Starling, Raven, Hoddie, Whooper Swan , Coot, Moorhen also present. A Kestrel came in low putting all the birds in the air, then just after they had settled a Peregrine flew in chasing a Teal, then moved onto a Lapwing failing in both attempts, then headed south