Dear birders
I was recently in the Shetland Islands from 20-28 September. Not the
best time to visit as all the breeding Puffins had departed and those I
really wanted to see, but family arrangements................ However
it's always nice to renew acquaintance with far northern birds.
What was obvious was the ease of bird watching/chasing. Although the
winter migrants were just beginning to arrive, at several "noted" sites
the largest number of birders we found was 6, including 2 specialist
photographers trying to get the perfect shot of a Yellow-browed Warbler
at Quendale Mill on a gloomy windy drizzly afternoon. Very friendly and
helpful too. I guess one would get a few more birders if a really
really rare bird turned up but maybe not the 100s or more than bother
the property owners further south.
An unusual sight was a fall of Goldcrests foraging in the sheer mossy
sides of a geo on the wild north west coast of Hermaness. Also saw falls
of Twites, Golden Plovers, Wheatears and Bramblings plus a few Lesser
Whitethroats and 2 Whooper Swans. And a Merlin trying to its luck
(unsuccessful) with the Bramblings at Quendale.
If I ever go there again, it will have to be June - August, as
recommended in all the literature!
In the meantime, happy New Year and may it be full of pleasant
surprises, birds or otherwise, for all.
I think it was alluding to the fact that in parts of UK, especially England,
any half decent bird that turns up is surrounded by birders. That was one
reason why I moved to NE Scotland where this is not the case.
My experiences over here since March indicates that this is def not the case
over here. in Aus you can, in fact have to, find your own birds and enjoy them
with far smaller crowds (if any crowds at all) which having birded and
twitched the UK for 30 years makes the situation over here one to celebrate.
Happy New Year to all and have a great birding year.
Dom
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
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