Storm Boelo

 It's been a windy week but yesterday there was a break in the weather and it was actually very pleasant out. So, we decided to go and charge the car up, as our charging point isnt quite in yet, and do a bit of birding 

Jill went for a walk whilst it was charging. It's very frustrating as there are only 2,50 KW chargers and both are broken. So it was as slow charge.

There were a few bits around. The tide was really high.

We got fed up with really slow charging and checked out Sound but it was dead.

So we headed home to check out Melby. Good decision, the crop field was buzzing with over 35 brambling, 13 chaffinches, 40 ISH twite, blackbirds and 5 redpoll. One of which was a Coues.

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  Today has been pretty bad and very gusty. We had to go for a Nurse appt with Rob. Horizontal rain! Storm Boelo brought rough seas
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  Jim's been working in the byre today! Po retry noisy out there but he's been laying out the bits for the car charger. We didn't go out again and did lots of boring paperwork!

Making the most

 Very windy night. Cats snuggled indoors

This morning the wind dropped and the sun came out. Last opportunity for some birdies maybe?

Our car charger has broken again so we went to Voe first to charge up. The ones in town are all too slow or don't work! We found about 30 redpoll feeding by the verge.

Then we stopped via Kergord on the way

Jill went for a wander at Voe. It was quite productive.

Before heading back Jill went to a new spot by the old cemetery. Very pretty 

On the way back, determined to beat the rain cloud, Jill put best foot forward, but met a really interesting chap first. He keeps bees by the old Kirk and was happy to show Jill getting them ready for the winter complete with syrup and insulation. Fascinating!

We then drove to Vidlin for a red flanked blue tail. It didn't show well as it was being chased by a robin. Jill did find a rose finch though.

Then we headed South for some general watching and to try and find the firecrest at Troswick. The seas were amazing but the firecrest was staying hidden. We went via Leebitton and Virkie.

Then boddam, the wildlife sanctuary, the only one that doesn't like birdwatchers!

Short day, but worth getting out.

Redpoll

Hooded crow

Rook

Raven

Meadow pipit

Rock pipit

Starling

House sparrow

Blackbird

Redwing

Fieldfare

Robin

Reed bunting

Collared dove

Pigeon

Rock dove

Herring gull

Black headed gull

Great black backed gull

Common gull

Mute swan

Whooper swan

Greylag

Red grouse

Twite

Rose finch

Red flanked blue tail

Firecrest

Lesser whitethroat

Chiff chaff

Wren

Teal

Tufted duck

Mallard

Long tailed duck

Wigeon

Redshank

Sanderling

Purple sandpiper

Turnstone

Ringed plover

Lapwing

Bar tailed godwit

Curlew

Dunlin

Red breasted merganser

Grey wagtail

Goldcrest

Chaffinch

Crossbill.        50

Golden eye

Gannet

Fulmar

Snipe