Shetland Shorelark

This Shorelark has been present around Sumburgh Head carpark for the past five days and is showing well

You can understand why the Americans call it a Horned Lark, with the horns showing well in these photos

I located this bird just below the plastic Orca feeding on the side of the path, it called several times

A couple of other birders arrived and i directed them to the bird just as it flew off towards Compass Head

It started to feed on the hill with Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Starlings and was unconcerned when a flock of sheep approached

Its a smart bird tending to visit coastal areas during Autumn and winter but breeding up in the mountains

A scarce visitor to Shetland