Unst, 2012
Spent a long weekend in the Shetlands, mainly thanks to some Flybe rewards points, and an understanding family! Weather prior to the trip had been excellent for migrants with a constant East wind for the best part of 2 weeks. Sadly it didn't last into my break, and I was faced with some pretty unpleasant North Winds for the duration of the stay.
This had a really adverse affect on the migrants with single figures in total of Blackcaps, Spotted Flycatchers, Chiff-Chaffs, plus a Willow Warbler. A likely "Tristis" Chiff-Chaff called, but didn't hang around for a look at the plumage. Pretty ironic as I spent much of last winter grilling a likely Tristis that showed well but never called!
I persevered on Unst but there was nothing doing. I was almost relieved to get back onto Shetland Mainland, but this too had very little in terms of excitement. I did see the long staying Subalpine Warbler and Long-Eared Owl at Quendale.
However, what the trip lacked in rarity finding quality certainly didn't lack in photography opportunities, and I had excellent prolonged close-up views of many of the Shetland specialities such as Arctic Tern, Arctic and Great Skua, Puffin, Twite, and Fulmar. Photo slideshow below (hit page refresh if it doesn't load)..
This had a really adverse affect on the migrants with single figures in total of Blackcaps, Spotted Flycatchers, Chiff-Chaffs, plus a Willow Warbler. A likely "Tristis" Chiff-Chaff called, but didn't hang around for a look at the plumage. Pretty ironic as I spent much of last winter grilling a likely Tristis that showed well but never called!
I persevered on Unst but there was nothing doing. I was almost relieved to get back onto Shetland Mainland, but this too had very little in terms of excitement. I did see the long staying Subalpine Warbler and Long-Eared Owl at Quendale.
However, what the trip lacked in rarity finding quality certainly didn't lack in photography opportunities, and I had excellent prolonged close-up views of many of the Shetland specialities such as Arctic Tern, Arctic and Great Skua, Puffin, Twite, and Fulmar. Photo slideshow below (hit page refresh if it doesn't load)..
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