Juvenile Long-eared Owl

 

Spending time with Long-eared Owls is always one of the highlights of my year, and this summer was no exception. Every season brings something different, and 2025 offered a unique blend of close encounters, fascinating behaviour, and moments that will stick with me for a long time.

Unlike previous years where the juveniles often stole the spotlight, this time it was the adults that showed particularly well—especially during the warm, still evenings. That said, there were still plenty of opportunities to watch the younger birds as they began venturing out. One of the families had just a single juvenile, which was still quite downy and shy, while another brood, with three well-grown young, was much more active and advanced.

Each evening brought a different rhythm—sometimes quiet, sometimes chaotic. It’s always a joy to witness their antics: curious stares, playful bickering, awkward flights between perches, and those big orange eyes constantly scanning the undergrowth. One moment that really stood out was watching a juvenile spend over half an hour attempting to swallow an enormous rat. I’d never seen anything quite like it—it was both impressive and slightly comical in equal measure.

As the evenings grow darker and quieter, I’m already looking forward to what next spring might bring.

Goldcrest at Deeping Lakes

This Goldcrest was picking off tiny prey, including what looks like a spider (to me), There is plenty locally this autumn, which isn't a huge surprise as we saw plenty in Shetland earlier in the autumn. 

 

Quendale RBF

 

On our last day on Shetland, we succumbed to twitching an Red-breasted Flycatcher, having failed to find our own. This individual at Quendale was flycatching among the barns during the lingering winds from storm Amy. 

Willow Warbler Among the Umbellifers

 Classic scenes from Shetland, from earlier in the autumn. 

Shetland Wren

I’ve been visiting Shetland for eight years now, but until this trip, I’d never tried photographing the island’s distinctive Wrens. They’re noticeably larger and darker than their mainland counterparts—an incredible example of how wildlife can adapt to its environment.

Rutland Baird's Sandpiper

This tiny wader has been at Rutland Water for the past week at least so I paid it a visit over the weekend. I think it's the closest I have ever been to a wader, with it approaching me to under two metres. It was worth laying in goose droppings, rotting zebra mussels and smelly mud for hours on end!

More to follow.

Bittern

We've been witnessing some intriguing Bittern activity at Deeping Lakes over the past month — including frequent calling, which is unusual for this mostly silent species at this time of year.

Yesterday, we confirmed that two Bitterns are present on site, which likely explains the unexpected vocalisations.

Shetland Short-toed Lark

This Short-toed Lark on Yell showed well if a little briefly. Remarkably only my third in Britain and was a lifer for Dad, which was fantastic. Whilst we were watching this, news of the Siberian Thrush on mainland Shetland broke the first time...

Scaup VS Amy

Saturday on Shetland was pretty amazing for weather and pushed the Scaup close inshore on Loch Spiggie. 
 

Lapland Bunting

I haven't seen a Lapland Bunting in years. I don't do much coastal birding these days and I think Lapland Buntings on the east coast have declined in numbers anyway, so I was thrilled to find this one on Eshanesss Lighthouse car park today.

Shetland Siberian Thrush

A true Shetland specialty, with over half of all British records originating from these magical islands, the Siberian Thrush has been high on my birding wish list during our autumn trips for years.

We were incredibly lucky to be just 20 minutes away when news broke of a relocated first-winter male Siberian Thrush just north of Scalloway. We initially enjoyed a few good but brief views. However, after patiently standing in the shallows of Loch Asta for nearly three hours, we were finally rewarded with prolonged and close views – enough to capture these photographs.

A typically elusive species, this striking thrush didn’t disappoint. It’s without doubt my bird of the year so far and a moment I’ll remember for a long time.

Muckle Roe Yellow-browed Warbler

We have had a mixed four days in Shetland, so far. The weather from tomorrow onwards, looks.... interesting. Yellow-browed Warblers have been good value though, with plenty about. We have located birds at pretty much every site we have been to, today. Hard to get tired of these fab warblers, especially in my favourite place in the world.
 

Typical Long-eared Owl

Each year, I take this photo. It’s usually of the male Long-eared Owl (looking grumpy!), and it’s usually in mid-May. For some reason, just before the young start branching, the male from one of the pairs I watch sits on this log pile. When the young begin flying around but are still being fed, they’re often fed here — presumably because there’s enough room for both the adult and the fully grown youngsters. Can't wait till next spring!