Back to the Mainland from Shetland.

I returned home yesterday afternoon from my trip to Shetland.

On the whole it was very quiet from my previous trip last year, with only a couple BB rarities seen during the week.

I think the problem with the trip was that the weather conditions were not great for Shetland to produce a fall of migrants.

The highlight of the trip was John, Andy Lawson and myself finding a Siberian Stonechat in fields just below the top quarry at Sumburgh Head. Hugh Harrop joined us later and with help from his camera we identified the bird as a probable 1st winter male.

Other highlights of the trip included finding a Barred Warbler in the garden of the house(Nordgerdi) we were staying at; finding at least six Yellow-browed Warblers in a variety of locations in the South Mainland and seeing Little Bunting and Red breasted Flycatcher at Sumburgh head, an elusive Great Grey Shrike at the Sumburgh hotel gardens, a fly-by Red throated Pipit at the valley of plenty(Clevigarth I think?) and a non camera shy Long-eared Owl at Quendale Mill.

Although I didn't have any life ticks this time around I will of course be looking forward to my next trip to Shetland hopefully sooner than later.

photos of the Siberian Stonechat copyright of Hugh Harrop.