Titterstone Clee - Lapland Bunting

Another day, another Shropshire mega? A Lapland Bunting had been reported and photographed by Nick Skilbeck the previous day at Titterstone Clee... Problem was, the weather on arrival late morning with torrential rain to greet me! Eventually it stopped and the next hour was spent wandering around the old buildings which seemed like a sensible starting point? With three other sets of eyes there, it seemed unlikely it was still around this area, so I wandered off to try my luck elsewhere on the hill? Same old story and same old squalls to seek shelter from...

After a couple more hours, I decided to have one more walk around the buildings and almost immediately I spotted some movement out of the corner of my eye? Yessssss, you can guess what it was: a second Lapland Bunting for the county list....

I just sat down  and enjoyed the moment, which seemed to go on for ever!

Eventually feeding very close...

And then the sun came out!

And half decent backdrops helped the cause too!

A couple of  'close-ups' to finish...

Simply magic end to the day!

Airfield, St. Mary's - Dotterel and co.

Returning from Tresco, the day was not done as a rather showy Dotterel had been reported amongst a few other good birds! Taking the step count over 20,000 were, in order of seeing them...

My worst ever blog-pic of a Snow Bunting! It was hunkered down in the wind and I needed to move on!

And after the Shropshire mindblower, a rather distant Lapland Bunting!

There were also, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover and despite a Peregrine spooking most of the birds, the Dotterel showed really well!

Even got a ruffle!

Yes, showing nicely in the evening light...

This was 'somehow' my first Dot on Scilly - well overdue I reckon!

Long Mynd - Lapland Bunting!!!

Wow, what a bird! One that simply everyone needed for their county list and a showy little stunner! Well done John Reeves for having a plan and sticking to it, and thanks to Dave C for the timely call!

It was faithful to a short stretch of the Shropshire Way near Robin Hooh Butts car park and despite all their efforts, Mountain Bikers, Walkers, Every man / woman and their dog... nothing was going to shift it - even if it did have to fly around for a short while!

Favouring the edge of the path, where most of the seed was presumably?

And despite the low morning sun being a bit of a problem, it was giving some amazing opportunities!

I guess this is the sort of shot everyone went home with?

But as morning turned into afternoon, despite the sun being high in the sky, the light became somewhat crippling!

And whilst my back took some persuading, the low angle played dividends!

Finally a pic which summed up what the bird was up to and how many of these tiny morsels were needed?

Plus enough time to take a video or two...  What a magic day!

St Mary's - Golf Course - Lapland Bunting

How many times does something 'happen' late in the day on St Marys? With the pelagic done and dusted, a quick check of the local beaches revealed nothing of note and then the radio sparked into life with news of a Lapland Bunting, previously heard in flight now 'nailed down' on the golf course!

A good find too as it was tucked in the rough by a stone wall and despite being incredibly confiding was simply too close and often hidden from view a few feet away!

With patience and luck, it did reveal itself!

The occasional bare patch by the wall was rarely lingered in but a lucky moment here...

Still nicely marked plumage for the head on views as it walked towards us...

And quite alert, announcing a short flight was imminent!

Every day should end with a special moment like this and what a breathtaking view walking back...

Scilly day 11 - Lapland Buntings

At least 5 Lapland Buntings on Peninnis today, flighty but as you can see, once settled they could be quite confiding. Looked like fresh first winter birds? Here's some images of a female.... 

Always on the look out and occasionally standing to attention!

A nice ruffle......

And just to show how slow the shutter speed was!! Impressionistic stuff!

One of two nicely marked males....

Not always a fan of head on shots of Laplands but with these I could be converted!

They may not be aristocrats here on Scilly (you expect to see them!) but helped to continue the run of good quality birds..... The only thing that would drag me away was news of something better and guess what.... a Red-eyed Vireo was reported at Carreg Dhu.... yomp yoop....

Scilly day 5 - Airfield Lapland Bunting etc

A walk up to airfield with a Lapland Bunting in mind? It was there but flighty and distant! At least the juv American Golden Plover was in range.....

And then joined by my quest for the morning!

A cracking male Lapland Bunting, coming close but never quite close enough!

Never happy am I? But there will be others!

And finally this very striking Pipit which really stood out from the crowd....

Just a worn autumn Meadow Pipit methinks!

Other birds seen included 2 Kittiwakes, 1 ad Med Gull and 12 Sandwich Terns on the rocks near Porthcressa, plus a Blackwit at Porthellick. A quiet day.......