As I sit next to the window, with rain hammering down and wind buffeting our lovely accommodation up at Housetter (far North Mainland), it gives me a chance to quickly reflect on the first few days of our Shetland trip (Steve Wilson and I). Although the weather has been far from ideal, there is still stuff to be found, with two Siberian Thrushes in quick succession on mainland meaning it's all to play for.
By far the highlight was from today when a male Siberian Thrush was found near Scalloway, and quite unlike most of these mega sibes, this one actually 'performed' for the crowd. We spent a good few hours on site where we managed at least five different views of varying body parts to complete the whole bird - I certainly didn't expect a world tick on this trip!
The only bits I've found so far have been a Corncrake (flushed in a random quarry), a neat Common Rosefinch and of course plenty of Yellow-browed Warblers are around. Other than that, a Glossy Ibis was found a mere 20-seconds before we passed the finder which was very convenient, lots of common warblers are about and what was the most disappointing Tree Pipit I've found as it flushed below a small stand of conifers!
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A superb image taken by Daniel Gebauer -
Siberian Thrush |
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| Common Rosefinch |
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| Glossy Ibis |
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| Tree Pipit |
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| Siberian Chiffchaff |
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| Otter, taken by Steve Wilson |
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| Otter, taken by Steve Wilson |
