Better views of RF Bluetail

 Back down to Sandlodge this morning to see whether the Red Flanked Bluetail was about. Only two others watching and they said it had been present earlier

I watched for two hours and saw it 5 times, but it only showed for a short time

Today it was also ranging further along the tree line and onto the top wall. On a couple of occasions a Robing chased the RFB further into cover.

The light was not ideal so had to use ISO6400, and it was cold as well

It was joined by Yellow Browed warbler, Chiffchaff and a couple of Robin

Even from yesterday there was less leaves on the trees so easier to watch, that's when it turned up.

The North Roe bird was far more confiding, this one spends a long time deep in cover

A few other birds around include a Richard's Pipit at Garths Ness and another at Geosetter, the Blyth Reed warbler at Spiggie along with the Gt White Egret, a few Yellow Browed Warblers, Blue tits , Dusky warbler at Swinster and a Waxwing in Lerwick

Red Flanked Bluetail in Sandwick

A Red Flanked Bluetail was found at Sandlodge in Sandwick , inside the walled garden which has lots of trees and bushes

This made the search for the Bluetail more difficult. Despite 1 1/2 hour search i had seen the bird three times but always fleetingly and deep in cover. Only once did it show near the fence but still down in cover. The last Bluetail up at North Roe was very showy, coming too close to focus and stood out in the open for long periods, a complete contrast to this one

Lots of Barnacle geese have passed through Shetland over the past couple of weeks no doubt heading down to the Solway firth

Other than the Bluetail , Blyth Reed warbler and the Gt White Egret most of the other rarer birds found shelter in the north isles.

A few Lesser Whitethroat were scattered around the south mainland, these at Quendale

Its always good to see Siskins and these were very obliging 

Still lots of Robins around and we have regular garden visits from two. Blackbirds too have increased in number and are now joined by Redwing and Fieldfare

A couple of redstart still showing at Sumburgh quarry, farm and head

Lots of very worn out Goldcrest flitting about and several people have picked these up exhausted