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)