Saturday 22 October 2016

22nd October 2016 Unst E1 Overcast

Another nice calm morning although slightly more chilly this morning in overcast conditions. Skaw produced 3 Chiffchaffs and the now usual good numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings. Norwick was better with a late Common Rosefinch found with the Chaffinches and Bramblings, a Waxwing, a Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 of the Yellowhammers still present. We then decided on trying Lund just in case we could emulate Mark's enviable success with finding a Red-flanked Bluetail at Geosetter a couple of days ago. We'd only walked c.50m through the nettles along the wall when a passerine flew c.20m and perched atop a brokem stem and there was a stunning Siberian Accentor sat in the glow of the low late October Shetland sun! I was transfixed watching it sat there until it dropped out of view before I'd thought to raise the camera. We edged towards it and another short flight and photos obtained - phew! We moved closer again and a passerine jumped up - Little Bunting! The Accentor and Bunting then stuck together for a while showing on and off. We then heard Lapland Bunting calls behind us and 3 were feeding around a cattle feeder. We had to then leave it and drive a few miles to get a signal to put the news out but it seemed that all the resident birders were off island. We returned and after obtaining more views we left it to check the rest of the nettle patch. We then saw Micky making his way towards us and were soon enjoying watching the Accentor and Buntings with him. We then headed to Uyeasound seeing a small flock of Brambling and another 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs.






Siberian Accentor at Lund






Little Bunting at Lund


Lapland Bunting at Lund