Avez-Vous un Cuppa?

Here is a few photos from my annual trip to Shetland this Autumn. Fulmar at Sumburgh Head White's Thrush at Daligarth, Boddam. White's Thrush at Daligarth, Boddam. Harbour Seal at Sandwick. Yellow-rumped Warbler at Grutness. Barred Warbler at Halligarth,Unst. Red-breasted Flycatcher at Cunningsburgh. RB Fly at Cunningsburgh again! Red-backed Shrike at Hestingott, Toab. RB Fly at Mossbank. And bird of the trip: Siberian Rubythroat at Levenwick!! (photo copyright of Paul Hawkins).  

Here's a roundup of some of the stuff I've seen down the local patch in the Soar Valley over the last month. These have included the long-staying Glossy Ibis at Wanlip Meadows LRWT , the one day twitchable Great White Egret at Cossington Meadows LRWT.  A nice looking 2 winter Yellow-legged Gull,  and a  Juvenile type Black Tern  at Watermead CP South . 2nd Winter Yellow-legged Gull at Watermead CP South Another shot of the Yellow-legged Gull at Watermead CP South. Record shot of the Great White Egret at Cossington Meadows LRWT. Juvenile Black Tern at Watermead CP South. A sleeping Glossy Ibis at Wanlip Meadows LRWT.  

Here is a few shots of the recent 2 winter type Yellow-legged Gull at Watermead CP South , Leicester. It's quite surprising how small groups of large gulls seem to be attracted to Watermead CP South as this is probably the tenth time I have seen Yellow-legged Gull at this site. Maybe it's something to do with people feeding the ducks there and the Gulls know there's a free meal ready for them?!  

As a request from Mike Watson , here's a quick post on the Birdfair 2014! Nice to see a few familiar old faces and some new one as well. Highlights of the fair included getting food poisoning from a dodgy burger!! The birds and beer event organised by John Hague and Sharon Stiteler (aka Birdchick http://www.birdchick.com ) in Oakham on Friday night, and buying a small selection of books to gen up on some birds I might see in Shetland in six weeks time!  

A trip over to Rutland last weekend produced probably a new sub-species for Vc 55 in the form of a "Wasp Orchid" (Bee Orchid Var.trollii) at Bloody Oaks Quarry LRWT . Also it looks like it's a good year for Bee Orchids as I saw good numbers at a couple of sites near Rutland Water. Other sightings at Bloody Oaks Quarry included a few Common Spotted Orchids , a single Pyramidal Orchid and three Common Lizards near the entrance to the reserve. "Wasp Orchid" (Bee Orchid Var.trollii)   

Ok this is first post since the New Year. Well since the New Year I have been very busy at work and for most of February I was quite ill  with a major chest infection which lasted for 6 weeks. Since  then I have been taking part in a local survey for Peregrines, had a couple of twitches around the country and taken a few photos. So hopefully I post a bit more stuff over the next couple of weeks!