π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Tuesday 3rd October 2023 π¦️ 13C ~ Wind W @ 20/25MPH ~ It was another windy day on Shetland, and I started later due to heavy rain. If you're looking for a 'fair weather' birder, then look no further!
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| Olive-backed Pipit at Voxter |
The day started well when I eventually headed out with an Olive-backed Pipit in a small walled garden in Voxter. The bird showed quite well foraging around the garden and as with most OBPs was quite tolerant of the dozen or so birders squeezed in the corner.
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| Brambling |
It was a quiet day by Shetland's standards, with no significant sightings posted on the birdwatching groups or websites early on. So, I decided to head back for a walk at Kergord, which is approximately 4 miles away from the cottage. Kergord is known for having one of the most extensive areas of woodland in Shetland, with a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees spread over three plantations. Kergord didn't throw up any rarities but I did manage my first two Brambling of the autumn. Also at least three Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Siskin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, the latter a rare bird for Shetland.
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| Lesser Redpoll. |
A few other stops for various reported sightings without success but I did manage a nice flock of Lesser Redpoll near Sands of Sound feeding on the meadow sweet seeds were I also noted 4 Common Crossbill but no sign of the reported Common Rosefinch from yesterday.
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| Dotterel at Esha Ness. |
My final stop of the day was at Esha Ness where among the large Golden Plover flock was a single Dotterel. I must say that I didn't hold out much hope when upon arrival at the designated spot the flock had dispersed into three groups, offering only distant scoped views. I decided to drive to a few other nearby vantage points and struck lucky when the bird dropped down with a dozen or so Golden Plovers just to my right. The photo was actually taken from the car! Also within the group a single Snipe and a Grey Plover.
