Shetland Lesser Grey Shrike

Finally caught up with the Lesser Grey Shrike that's been present for the past 4 weeks. First it was down the Maywick Road at Billister then it disappeared and turned up after 2 weeks on the road from Bigton to Ireland

These two locations are not far apart and it seems the bird may have just been further down  feeding in fields just west of Billister but out of sight from the road.

This was my third attempt to see this bird, the first along the Maywick road then down at the Bigton site.

local birders had been seeing it more in the afternoon, perhaps when more insects were active. It was spending time along the fence posts from the bridge up to the red roofed house at Billister

If you have been down you will know there are hundreds of posts to look at, not good when the bird only pops up to feed and spends most of its time in the grass

I was scanning the far fence posts for what seemed like ages with no success and then i caught a small grey coloured bird in the corner of my eye

It landed in a bush close to the road and started to call (Only heard this when close)

It took no notice of me or the weather, it was raining, foggy with a strong wind, not really ideal for photography

I have seen a few birds down in the Camargue before but this was my first in the UK. A rare bird from Southern Europe.

Hit and Miss June

Its been a mixed week for birds. At the weekend the weather was warm but very windy around F5.
We headed to Sumburgh quarry first where Black Redstart and Red Backed Shrike had been seen the previous day.

It wasn't surprising that very few birds showed with the strong wind, the two birds in question didn't show to me but I did see Pied Wagtail, Fulmar, Wheatear, Blackbird, Wren, Starling & Sparrow. An hour after we left both birds showed, just typical.

Down at Grutness a small flock of 6 Dunlin, Redshank , 2 Ringed Plover, Lapwing 2 and Oystercatcher 4 fed on the muddy edges. Lots of Arctic Terns were bring in fish which was good to see and lots of tern taking off when a Gt or Arctic Skua passed over.

The day after we went across to Geosetter, as we stopped the car a Quail started to call which happened to be about 10-15 feet away. It didn't show at all even though it called frequently during our two hour stay. It called several times then had a 10 min break before starting up again.

Another Quail also started called in the bottom field , one of these birds may have been the bird from Boddam then Brow marsh.

As a Lesser Grey Shrike had been seen again down at Maywick along with a Marsh warbler and Comon Rosefinch, we took a detour but failed to see any of the birds which may have been scared off by someone putting out washing. We did see a Crossbill and a pair of Linnet.

ON Tuesday we headed to Sumburgh again and after a long two hour wait the Red Backed Shrike appeared on a fence above the quarry, I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't move a bit closer the road. No sign for me with the Black Redstart although it was seen earlier in the morning

A few seals down at Sandsayre taking advantage of the fact that the Mousa boat isn't running due to the virus.