Phil Andrews

White-throated Needletail @rspbbemptoncliffs.bsky.social scored gold again when the Tophill Low bird was relocated there late this afternoon. Still can't believe i've seen this chonky mega Asian Swift a few miles from home. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

They have their uses!

Day 10 on Shetland - frustrating day with dips on the Clickimin Barred Warbler first and last thing, bare supermarket shelves, a broken down car on the dockside + kicking around a couple of sites with no reward. Between this though stunning views of the Siberian Thrush as shown below in Hugh's photo

Until today it was on my list courtesy of a single male in Dorset which hasn't been accepted to species level (to date)

Forgot to mention Marsh Harrier over Hillwell

Day 9 on Shetland - 3 close Storm Petrel Scalloway harbour + 2 Pale- bellied Brent Geese, more Stormies off Aith, Tundra Bean Goose East Burrafirth, 3 YBW Michaelswood, BW Teal in flight + 2 Scaup Merlin Loch of Spiggie, Sibe Chiff Maywick, showy RB Fly Quendale + Western Subalpine Warbler Levenwick

Also @davidearlgray.bsky.social and @greeny55.bsky.social

Day 8 on Shetland + managed a bit of birding between the howling wind & lashing rain. Had a good candidate for Spotted Sandpiper in flight along the shoreline near Pullers Loch with several Purple Sand closer to Lerwick. Then dipped Western Subalpine Warbler at Levenwick in suboptimal conditions.

Day 7 on Shetland started with a Scaup♀️ on Clickimin. We when worked a variety of sites on central Mainland for several YBW, Willow Warblers + Bramblings, plus a frustrating pipit (Tree or OB) very briefly at Kergord. Finished the day back at the Sibe Thrush with views on the deck in the garden.

Stunning views of the Siberian Thrush in Shetland. Worth the three hours in Loch Asta. More on justwildimages.blogspot.com
@birdguides.bsky.social @promoteshetland.bsky.social
@hughharrop.bsky.social @shetlandwildlife.bsky.social
@britishbirds.bsky.social @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social

Day 6 on Shetland and another odd one. A kick about our Burn of Sound patch produced nothing then a dash down to Sumburgh Head to just miss an orca pod - one I still desperately need. Then a sprint up to Loch of Asta for multiple views of my 2nd Siberian Thrush of the week in this clump over 4 hours

Nice combo Mike

2 Dick's Pipits? Luxury!

Just difficult to bird for passerines in this weather; as the wind dropped a bit the rain increased.

Day 5 on Shetland + another cliche - "challenging weather". Common Rosefinch on the beach at Grutness + an unperturbed Glossy Ibis feeding in the incongruous setting of a peat bog at Eshaness, a bit different to my last views on Mallorca. Corncrake + Wryneck dipped in wind + rain.

😱🫣

3 MDJ?! How many is that now this year Ruth?

That certainly wouldn't marr the trip!

Are the square lists available anywhere @lesevanshill.bsky.social? As Ruth alludes to it would be interesting to compare the VC38 and VC39 elements of SK10.

😕

Day 4 in Shetland and time to deploy the first autumn birding cliche - "hard work". Sites in north + central Mainland yielded 3 YBW, Willow W, Merlin, Water Rail, Wheatear, 2 Purple Sand + Red Grouse; highlight was a Hedgehog at Busta House. Not seen so much angst and woe on Shetland since ...

Day 3 on Shetland was an odd one. Started with the inevitable dip on Black-faced Bunting followed by slow birding with migrant numbers down; Red Kite the highlight (plus migrant insects - Painted Lady, Hummingbird Hawkmoth + Rush Veneer). Rounded off with flight views of a lifer, Siberian Thrush

Day 2 on Shetland and 2 seconds for me with a distant Blue-winged Teal on Loch of Spiggie + Rustic Bunting at Maywick, found by our crew. Also showy Bluethroat at Geosetter, several Yellow-browed Warbler, Slav Grebes, Great Northern Divers, Curlew Sand, Whooper Swans.

First day on Shetland started with a drake Ring-necked Duck on Loch of Tingwall. Then a trip over to Yell for an elusive Brown Shrike (seen twice in flight) + a skulking Barred Warbler before dipping a Short-toed Lark. Kicking around a few sites in north Mainland produced nowt of note.

Well done Ruth 👏

The usual issues of Wool Week and accommodation availability

After Musselburgh it was on the Lunan Bay - another White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Ducks, Arctic Skua and my first Pink-footed Geese of the autumn but no sign of the Surf Scoter

First port of call on the way up to Aberdeen was Musselburgh - headliners of a close Marsh Sandpiper on the lagoons (only my second) + White-winged Scoter offshore. Also Red-necked Grebe, 2 Spotshank, 6+ Ruff, RT Divers, auks, Barwits, RB Mergansers + Tree Sparrows

A nice collection Ruth - you're gradually chipping away at the Agonopterix. STILL missing MDJ from my list 😢

Had one in the old garden