Sib Chiffchaff

I missed out on the Siberian Stonechat down at Sandsayre, it was very mobile and was eventually found a good 1/4 mile along the cliffs.

Siberian Chiffchaff

I did come across this Siberian Chiffchaff up at Sumburgh Quarry, one of several in Shetland recently. Still a few common Chiffchaff around as well.

A few Mealy Redpoll have also arrived, again this one was up at the Quarry feeding with a flock of Twite, including a part white headed Twite.

Mealy Redpoll

This Redpoll was very confiding and I had to back off as it came too close to focus.

Still a few Song Thrush among the numerous Redwing in the south mainland. Several Waxwing have also arrived adding a bit of colour. Also a good number of Siskin and Brambling seen.

Pallas's Warbler was still at Hoswick & Burra this weekend but the lighting was poor so gave it a miss having had good views of one last year.

Red Caps in Shetland

Up at Sumburgh Head recently we had visiting Mealy Redpoll, Lesser Redpoll (M&F) joining resident Twite

About 12 Twite arrived before the Redpoll would come down to feed. The male Redpoll was very red in colour

                               Black chin and white wing bar showing well on the male Lesser Redpoll

Mealy Redpoll are generally Greyer and bigger than Lesser and have a much whiter rump, a cleaner looking bird.

Lesser Redpoll (Female) have a much warmer look, and used to be a common breeding bird until the early 1980's when changes in farming practice and a reduction in birch trees affected its distribution.

                                                                         It is heavily streaked on the mantle

                                                               A ringed bird occasionally turned up, showing short dark legs

Redpolls prefer to feed on the ground

Twite are common in Shetland and seen all year round gathering into large flocks in winter, even now they flock together.

Twite became very aggressive to the Redpoll, in particular a light coloured Twite.