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.
