Midnight Magic

After hearing "rumours" of some Petrel ringing going on in Shetland, I thought I'd make some inquiries! All it took was just one phone call, and one text, and I was all set for my first ever bird ringing session. And what a session it was too!!!

I arrived at the destination at 2300hrs, and as I got out the car, the sound of tape lure was already in the air. After a quick hello, I was immediately shown a Leach's Petrel 'in the hand'... One that had just been caught as I arrived! What a fantastic start, to a great few hours.

After I'd recovered from this initial shock! The Petrels came in thick and fast, with a total of just over 20 Stormies and 2 Leach's caught in the 4 hours. (Some of the Leach's were even calling as they flew over head!). It was a great privilege to see these nocturnal seabirds at such close quarters, and to be able to photograph and study them too, while being given lots of info on plumage, brood patches and habits etc. I was even allowed to release some of the processed birds back into the dark.... Fantastic night, and many thanks to all involved, but esp. Rory and Will! This was a night that will be remembered for a long long time...

Leach's Petrel

and of course, a Stormie.

After an hours sleep in the car, it was time for migrant hunting... Although the migrants had other ideas! So with only a couple of Willow Warblers, and not a lot else, I decided to head home. I did manage to record this young Chiffchaff though.

LBJ's rule ok...

Back onto Fetlar again this morning with Jase, only to find a complete lack of the Phalaropes again! This is getting to be quite repetitive, with only my first visit a few weeks back being successful... Still, a very active Marsh Warbler at Everland made up for it, but refused to pose for pics.

The rest of today's birds were made up of; 3 Chiffchaffs (singing), 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Chaffinch (singing), 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap and a Whitethroat (also singing).

It went a bit wrong today...

Arranged for a day trip to the Out Skerries today with Jase, but due to the local Yell ferry running late, all plans had to change!

The day started off well at South Nesting, with a Merlin chasing a GBB Gull, now that's what I call plucky! (what would it have done if it caught it?)

Then a singing Chiffchaff at Scalloway made me think there had to be migrants around somewhere, but after a bird less trip to Lerwick and Kergord I was ready to be proved wrong...

And finally we decided to check Voe, where there was loads of birding action including;

Pied Flycatcher
Swallow
3 Common Sandpipers (singing)
Siskin (c3+)
White & Pied Wagtails
Reed Bunting
and a very vocal 'singing' Redwing...

Also a few Whimbrel and Red-throated Divers for good measure.





Cutest bird of the day went to;

Plucky

The 'plucky' little Chiffchaff was still singing in my garden, and Snowy the friendly Bunting was still down at the farm, but that was about it for today...Rain and Northerly winds don't make for good birding here!

This is the local ssp of Wren 'zetlandicus'. It too found something to sing about today. It's subtly different from the British bird, and this also includes it's song. Below is a link to one of my recordings taken in June last year...

http://www.xeno-canto.org/europe/recording.php?XC=48202

Ringing Update; A Herring Gull with ring number GN09032 that I photographed at the old pier in Burravoe on the 23/04/2010. Was ringed as a chick at the Horse of Burravoe on 28/06/2002 [didn't get very far then!]... cheers again for the info Dave.

Caution, Parental advisory!

This title refers to the antics of the local dog Otter when he found a female (and cub)!

I spotted the male as he came out of the water and started calling. Then this female with cub appeared and homed in straight to him. One thing led to another, and I started to feel like a 'voyeur', as daddy and mummy Otters got down and dirty... and all in front of the kids as well! (For full size pics, check out the link in the side bar -----> )

and on the 'migrant' front, I also scored my first Chiffchaff and Bonxie of the year today...

Also more Rock Pipits (photos of two diferent birds) inc one with a 'super' and 'Pinkish' tinge...but not much Grey though! (colours not altered, see side bar for more hot 'Pipit' action!)