Sweet song...

Not much happening on patch today, with just a male Linnet singing his heart out, and a flyby Wood Pigeon to Show for all the effort!

Done the second of my Breeding Bird Surveys this morning. It was a bit foggy, but with a warmth in the air and no breeze, the birds were all singing, and most of the usual suspects were noted.

Friday will hopefully bring a few more rewards though, as a change of Island is planned for my birding tomorrow! (Fingers crossed)

This Wren got the award for 'grumpy' bird of the day

Garden Tick (not that I keep a 'garden' list...honest!)

Not sure why Mr Linnet decided to pay a visit to my garden at last! I mean it wasn't like I'd covered the ground in seed or anything....

Singing in the rain...

Don't know how I've not managed a Linnet on my patch before now, but away from the Sumburgh area, these birds start getting harder to find. Found this bird while trying to sound record the Chiffchaff singing in the rain! Also in Burravoe were 1 Snow Bunting, 6 Fieldfare and 1 Redwing.

The raindrops were even bouncing off it's back! Photographed in atrocious conditions...

This Otter (one of 3) was also out and about during my early morning dog walk, and with fieldcraft, [with fieldcraft I mean crawling through sheep shit and mud!] I even managed to get within 7 feet or so. Now smelling of shit and covered in mud you might get close to Otters, but it ain't all that great for getting close to your wife, and even my dog didn't seem too impressed...

Most today's photos have been taken on about iso 800 and that's all due to the heavy fog and drizzle.

Blast from the past; 28 April 2005 seen me ticking off Whites Thrush at Quarf, Shetland. This was one of only four British Spring time sightings of this beautiful thrush, and thanks to living in Shetland I've now seen 3 birds in total, and I'll still go for the next available too! (Still not managed a pic either...maybe this year)