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

Added bonus

 The last few days have been very very wet with properties in town getting flooded out. It's meant time indoors processing and deleting photo's. We had been planning a return to Unst in Saturday, but the weather forecast is bad this weekend so we left early, and went today. We had a bonus with the Orca at Tresta, on the way. By to help time we arrived, they were distant, but still lovely to see.

As they headed out, we left for the ferry.

We got there in good time. Rob was keen to see the Chestnut Bunting again as he hadn't had great views as it was ranging. Today it was settled and confiding, almost running to our feet. It was just us and Brydon, who was really helpful getting Rob in the right spot. Thanks Brydon!

It was cracking!

Eventually the rats that were feeding in the same area, pushed it away.

There was also a Great White Egret the other side of the sound.

We went to Valyie for a while to the barn owl seen there first thing, wasn't in sight and we didn't find the Great Grey Shrike, but we spotted his brambling larder in a pine tree.

It was busy with redwings and bramblings.

A quick scout of Easter Loch for the Scaup there, before heading back to the ferry. It was good to see the Long-tailed ducks are back.

What a lovely day!