Norfolk

Having been birding for about a month non-stop its time to spend a bit of time with Lucy, so we have gone away for a few days, in Norfolk! Below are a few pictures of the very showy Woodchat Shrike at Lowestoft. Had a few other nice year ticks in the form of Stone Curlew, Glossy Ibis and Golden Pheasant. Fingers crossed the Upland Sandpiper decides to wait until the weekend! Click on any of the images to see an enlarged version.

Above 4 images - Woodchat Shrike, Links Road, Lowestoft.

Shetland 2nd October, last day.

Our last day on the Island started well with 3 Yellow-browed Warblers in the garden, the species dominated every bit of cover in the south of the island throughout the day. Before our flight at 4pm we managed to catch up with the Alpine Swift which has been around a few days and a fresh in Izzy Shrike. A great trip with many good birds, highlights being - Black-headed Bunting, Olive-backed Pipit and Lesser Grey Shrike.

Alpine Swift.

Izzy Shrike

Friday 30th - Sat 1st

Birding today was fantastic, a stark contrast to yesterday which was hard work, the Red-backed Shrike pictured below being the highlight. There was an obvious fall over night with lots of Redwings all over the place and a great start in the garden with - Pied Flycatcher (1), Redstart (1), Yellow-browed Warbler and best of all was a Wood Warbler. The rest of the day we spent birding the south with over 20 Yellow-browed Warblers (below) recorded as well as Barred Warbler (1), Common Rosefinch (1), Lesser Whitethroat (1) and a single Sedge Warbler. We fly home tomorrow evening just as things are starting to get good but with 2 Olive-backed Pipit's (below) on the mainland, who knows what tomorrow may bring! Click on any of the images to see an enlarged version.

Above 3 Images, Olive-backed Pipit, Quendale.

Above 2 images, Red-backed Shrike, Grutness.

Pallid Harrier, Quendale

Yellow-browed Warbler, Sumburgh hotel garden. (1 of 5 present)

Above 2 images, Wheatear, Sumburgh hotel garden.