Update

I've been quite busy at work since I came back, but I'm looking forward to a few days birding over the coming weekend! The only bird of note lately came in the form of a very large (poss fem) Peregrine, flying over my car at 0530 hrs this morning (It came as quite a surprise too!). Apart from that, the wildlife sightings lately have been of mammals. With multiple sightings of Otter, Hare, Polecat and not forgetting Hedgehog, but none have been while I had my camera to hand (typical eh!).

For anyone interested in sounds, I've posted a recording of a Nuthatch taken in the New Forest (see link in sidebar----------> ). It's not a fantastic recording, but in my defence, I was trying to record this, and xbills, and watch Goshawks all simultaneously.

and for anyone interested in sonograms, I've posted a new one at the base of the relevant Crossbill page.(see link in sidebar---------> )

and there's more...

A few more from my travels;

Fallow Deer in the New Forrest;

Six-spot Burnet. (more insect photos in the 'bugs' page. Link in the side bar ---------> )
And I caught up with a sub-species I've been looking for up here for a while now, but with no success so far!

'sinensis' Cormorant; (crap pic I know, but it shows the features required)
I've not even got round to posting about the xbill sonograms! (just be thankful for small mercies eh!)

It's all good...

Well the fog managed to lift long enough for the 'long' flight to Southampton (via Edinburgh), and then it was a maniacal 750 mile drive along the over crowded, tourist infested roads of the South coast! and all in the space of 3 days too... The reason for this self inflicted torture, was the lure of a few 'easy' ticks...

Living in Shetland, and never having been down to the SW of Britain, species like Cirl Bunting are never going to find their way onto my list. So a plan was hatched (and went to pot very quickly on arrival!) The 'planned' on birds didn't show at the expected times or locations, and so lots of last minute changes, and many, many more miles covered than I'd expected too! but the birds did eventually fall to my persistence, and no less than 4 lifers were scored and many more very nice 'extras' were also had!

The best looking bird, and the most photographic too, was the Cirl Buntings. 2 were seen at Berry Head, and performed beautifully.


Stunning adult Male.

and a rather scruffy looking juv.

Next bird 'bagged' was 2 Balearic Shearwaters off Portland Bill. These birds were passing the Bill with 32 Manx, so a nice chance to compare the two species.

adult Med Gull just chilling on the beach at Portland (nice but not a 'tick')

Roseate Tern was also ticked off at Titchfield Haven as it hung about with the Common Terns on the wee island on the River Meon.

Crap 'digiscoped' photo of a very beautiful bird! Bird was ringed on both legs (does this mean an Irish or an English bird?)

The last bird ticked off was Yellow-legged Gull! These birds were being reported everywhere along the South coast, but never where I was! Not having access to tide tables never helped either, but many thanks to the lads at Portland Bill obs (esp. Dennis) for helping me sort out my juv gulls... I eventually got 8 adult birds minimum at Pagham Harbour. Though due to distance and light the photos were crap (but identifiable!) so I'm not posting them here.

Other good birds seen included; Nightjar, Greenshank, Goshawk, Crossbill (more sonograms too!), Hobby, Little Egret, Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Common Scoter, Tree Pipit, Redstart and many more.

I'm also sorting out a few pics of Fallow Deer and various insects. This is as well as lots of sound recordings of the Crossbills. More to follow!

Birders Guide to 'Burravoe'

There ain't any, so don't bother...


The only birds of note lately, have been three Common Terns on my 'commute' to work! These were 2 ad and 1 juv, so at least some terns are successfully breeding in Shetland this Summer. Common Terns aren't all that common in Shetland either, with Arctic Terns being the normal breeding tern.

So with nothing much up here just now, I'm heading off down to deepest darkest Englandshire in the hope of a few long standing 'tarts' ticks. That's presuming the mist and fog up here lets me go!.... fingers crossed eh!

Bugs and eggs!

Well, as if the 'bug' thing wasn't bad enough, I'm now getting into the finer details of their life's as well. This female Large White Butterfly (I now know what species it is thanks to a text received yesterday) decided to lay her eggs on the Nasturtiums in my back garden, so it seemed rude not to photograph such an accommodating subject! and I'm pretty happy just to get a half decent pic of her as well...

and a new generation of leaf munching bird food is brought into the world.

and a nice comparison of the two common bees around Burravoe (Whitetailed and Shetland)

I also managed to fire up my second barbecue of the year! even though the weather ain't exactly great for eating alfresco (I'm just determined to salvage something of this crappy summer)...

Help...

Well It's been said before that "I need help" (along with I should "get a grip", "a life" etc...) but this time I'll admit it!

With it being a bit quiet bird wise in Shetland just now, this has found me focusing my attention on other aspects of our wildlife, mainly bugs. Now although I'm interested in various aspects of nature, 'bugs' have never captured my attention till lately! and I'm not afraid to admit that I know sod all about their names. So please help out if your able...


This first one I recon is the 'Shetland' Bee.

The second individual I'd confidently say is a Red Admiral.

Now the Third one I seem to have photographed both sexes (due to the spots), although are they 'Large' or 'Small' Whites?

And lastly this wee fella seems to be impersonating a Bee of some sort... any guesses? as I really wouldn't know where to start with this one!

Who knows where this road will take me, I might even end up with a moth trap, god help me! (sorry Steve ;) ) http://www.shetlandmisfit.blogspot.com/ Though well done on your 'first' for Shetland!

'Fieldcraft' No.2...

Don't let it ever be said that birders don't use fieldcraft anymore!


As I had to use all my skill and cunning to photograph this beautiful RT Diver today... I spotted the target bird at about 100yds range, and with my right foot I slowly brought the car to a complete standstill, while simultaneously lowering the passenger side window, and getting my camera off the back seat!..... I even reckon this might count as multitasking too! (something we men are pants at, seemingly?)

The hard part was then trying to keep the Diver in focus, while not getting too intimate with the handbrake lever! The bird didn't even seem to notice all this, as it kept bathing and shaking itself much to my enjoyment!

Unfortunately all the 'fieldcraft' couldn't stop the wind up here, but I reckon I still managed a pretty good recording of this Whimbrel...