Birds Galore!

 And we missed a lot of them!

As we had missed our trip to Unst due to the tyre issues and had missed lots of good birds due to work and hospital appts, we decided to try again. We had guests in so couldn't leave very early and when we did leave mid morning there was no news of the PGTips so we did a bit of the local area. We headed towards Skeld checking small plantations on the way. We got lucky near Culswick, when a rustic bunting flicked up into full view right by Robs window. Unfortunately it carried on flicking right up the burn, not to be seen again, only heard. We were decided what to do, when Jill spotted some grouse.

While watching them, news that the PGTips was still there broke, so off we went to Unst. We had a long wait for the ferry but it was ok

At Norwick there were several folk watching. It was lovely to finally catch up with Marion and Steve Barlow, but it didn't help with finding it.

 There was also a non showy Little Bunting that hid , some bramblings, blackcaps etc.

There was still no joy after a couple of hours,so Jill and Marion decided to reacquaint themselves with PGTips call  within seconds it flew up from the bog just in front of Marion, only a few feet away, flew round and disappeared. Our only showing!

Then news broke of a Grey cheeked thrush near Quarff. But no time to get there.

We headed back and had a lovely coffee at Marion and Stevens accommodation. With a lovely yarn. Then we headed back for the ferry- again another long wait, but a good one.

An alert came out for the Aurora. It was raining at the terminal , so we turned round and went up the hill. Clear sky but no wide angled lens, only the phone. It was awesome.

We then headed home tired, but happy.

Today, our guests were checking out , so we said our goodbyes. Lovely couple. Then we went back quickly to try for the Rustic Bunting again, no joy.

Then it was down to Quarff for the Thrush. It showed brilliantly.

But Jill got very went getting knocked
backwards a bit, into a deep ditch.

Lovely time.

We had a bit more of a drive around. Lots of migrants have moved on , but we saw lots of redwings.

We got home to find, somehow, Hey Hey and his/her ( still not totally sure) mum had got in the house!!!!!!!!

They were quite settled but Spicey wasn't impressed, they were too close to his box!

No Aurora tonight, but a good night sky.

Pop!

 Well, interesting few days, not!

We have been busy this week. Jill went over to Marks as usual, we had a chilled afternoon. What an amazing day for rainbows.

It's now time for driving home in the dark.

Yesterday we decided we had been too busy for the birds and needed to fix it, so after Robs hospital appt we decided to run over to Unst for the Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler ( pgtip s)

It didn't go to plan. The tyre decided to pop as we went onto the ferry to Yell! Very helpful staff on the ferry sorted us out. They reckoned it hadn't been right for a while and when we looked closer it was clear they had not fixed the tracking correctly when motability took it in to do.

We only had back tyres on a few weeks ago and apparently the front where fine. Apparently not!

So the ferry man has access to compressed air so, he topped it off and we carefully turned it round, went back on the ferry, and limped off. We had to wait a while for recovery so Jill had a leg stretch.

Today was a bit complicated. Rob made lots of car related calls. Jill walked for the bus. It's a nice bus walk.

After collecting the car from town we went for a drive to Tangwick for the Raddes Warbler. There was another group looking which was really good as it was very bouncy and good at hiding! Good to meet you, and the gang, Austin!

It was really hard to photograph but Jill did get one shot. The second only really shows a good wing stretch.

It was very yellow in flight .

The drongs looked good.

Chips on the way home