Shetland, October 2008

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After last year's rarity fest it was difficult to see how this year could compare.   And so it proved to be.   With the wind in the west for the entire week migrants were in short supply although a few did manage to make it.

Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Red-breasted Flycatcher.

Bathing twite.

Twite.

Twite.

Twite.

Great Grey Shrike.

Common Rosefinch.

Common Gull.

Close-up of a rainbow over Lerwick.   Unsettled weather resulted in rainbow sightings on most days.   This one was particularly vivid.

Sumburgh lighthouse.

This year the group comprised: Simon Stirrup, Tony Mills, Chris Blair, Chris McGuigan, Dave Hatton, Charles Fentiman and Tim Wilson. The week's birds included: Ring-necked Duck, White's Thrush, Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Great Grey Shrike, Scarlet Rosefinch, Hawfinch and Little Bunting.   And rarest from all, at least from a Shetland perspective, was a Long-tailed Tit.