Arctic Warbler find

We resisted heading to Bressay for the White's Thrush this morning. Instead we headed to Levenwick. There were plenty of Blackcaps, more than in the past few days and Redwings were in; it felt like birds had arrived on the light winds. 

Walking up to Willal, a warbler up in the Sycamores of the first garden was distant but looked like a Greenish type warbler. I approached closer and after 10 minutes it revealed it was indeed a Greenish type but we hadn't seen the legs and the views were brief. Worse, I watched it fly up hill to a distant garden! We decided Greenish was mostly likely and put it out as such just in case anyone was passing.

Unsatisfied with the outcome, we continued to search and thankfully it was re-found up the hill, next to Midway Stores (where we had conveniently parked!) and eventually it gave itself up for good enough views to confirm it was in fact an Arctic!

ORCAS!

Day one of my tenth visit to Shetland was a blinder. Dad and I enjoyed around five hours of ORCA action! It ranged from views of around 4 miles away to 10 feet away. Simply one of the best wildlife experiences of my life. This is the second time I have encountered 27's pod and the third time I've seen Orcas in Shetland (and the world!) and three really is the charm/. 

Sibe Stonechat

 

Shetland continues to deliver with this superb male Siberian Stonechat. 

A Veery good start

 

My tenth visit to Shetland, this time with my father, got off to a great start yesterday. A north American Veery was found the day before we arrived and expectations were high as our ferry neared Lerwick. We raced to the scene and eventually got great views of this diminutive thrush. The weather was unsettled and the crowd large and news of Orcas elsewhere, pulled us away until the late afternoon, where we enjoyed views down to 6 feet, with just three or four others!  

Britain's third Magnolia Warbler

Took the long journey to St Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire today, for Britain's third Magnolia Warbler. Sadly, no sign today of  Britain's first Canada Warbler, found on the same headland yesterday. Been a remarkable couple of days in Britain, with an amazing arrival of American land birds, particularly in Wales. Great to see such a special bird!

All grown up...

In early July I found one of the young owls quite late in the day. It was raining but the owl seemed completely oblivious to me. The next night, I returned earlier. The weather was better and the owl was also out! Just a few metres from  the path and again wasn't bothered by me at all. 
 

Wasp Spider first

Took a pre-work visit to Swaddywell, this morning with Mike Weedon and Hugh Wright. We found 11 Wasp Spiders between us. A first for me and a species I had longed to see as a kid, when I saw a photo of one in an 'I Spy' book. 
 

Changing faces

The various poses of young Long-eared Owls in south Lincolnshire, June 2023.

Nutty neighbours

Whilst staying in Norway, we had two young Red Squirrels visit the garden. They were fearless and full of character and a joy to watch and photograph. 
 

Adult Long-eared Owl

During the early summer I enjoyed some sensational experiences with the local Long-eared Owls. The youngsters were, of course, the stars but some evenings they gave way to the adults. One such night, this adult was on one of the youngster's favourite spots. The light was low in the undergrowth, but such a fantastic opportunity to see an adult, at close quarters, in the open. 

Local Otter family

I haven't seen this family since June and my goodness the youngsters have grown. They are close to full adult size but still very 'needy' and sticking very close to mum. When the mother spotted us yesterday, she led her young straight towards us, completely fearless and so inquisitive. 

Today, I was standing in the reeds and a couple of dog walkers passed by and the mother led her young straight to my feet. I dare not move but incredible experience. 

I'm looking forward to more of the same in the next few weeks; a classic period for encounters!

'Northern' Eurasian Nuthatch

I've always loved watching Nuthatch. As youngsters, our parents, would take my sister and I to Sandringham, on the way to the coast, for a picnic in the woods. Here we baited the felled stumps with bread, cheese and crisps and would wait! And for me the Nuthatch was always the most impressive and prized visitor, even out-trumping the noisy Jay and brief but great, Great-spotted Woodpeckers. 

I still have vivid memories of the Nuthatch visiting these stumps and being in awe. I also remember when I was very young, our October half term holiday to a Ripon caravan park, in Yorkshire, and the Nuthatch gripping the feeders outside our window, in the snow(!). 

Nuthatch was also one of the first species I properly got to grips with, when I got my first prime lens in 2005. My Canon 20D and Sigma 500mm, were my start kit and I really enjoying photographing Nuthatch in Cambridgeshire that winter. 

Last week, in Norway, I could hear Nuthatch regularly from 'our house'. It wasn't until the last few days of our stay that they finally gave themselves up for photos and pre-longed, fantastic views. This rather splendid northern subspecies, with it's cold white underparts, compared to the buff-ness of the British subspecies, was a joy to watch at such close quarters. 

Storm Hans

Young Red Squirrel ('Rodrigo') enjoying a bite to eat near Sandefjord in Norway, during Storm Hans, last week. 

You might think we were a little unlucky to have a week in Norway, when the worst rain hit the country, for 25 years.... but in reality we had an incredible time. It was a true family holiday but these regular visitors to the garden, whilst I enjoyed my early morning coffee, were an absolute joy.