Shetland - the last day.

After the excitement of the aurora the prevuious night our last day dawned a breezy but dry one. After clearing up and packing we set off to Hoswick where Chris was going to meet up with some other mates before gettign the ferry back to Aberdeen later that evening.

Matt & I headed to Boddam where we caught up with a juvenile Common Rosefinch amongst the local Sparrow flock feeding on seed heads along the beach and occasionally flying back into willows by the farm yard.

Also present was the Little Grebe that had been around for a few days and a fresh in Jack Snipe on the beach.

We ended the trip on 93 species of bird seen including 5 BBRC rarities - Arctic Redpoll, Isabelline Shrike, Buff-bellied Pipit, Great Reed Warbler & Siberian Stonechat. In addition we logged 5 other less rare species - American Golden Plover, Yellow-browed Warbler (10), Barred Warbler (3), Common Rosefinch & Red-backed Shrike.

We found a possible Tree x House Sparrow hybrid that Chris photographed. The photo's will be sent around for comment and visited a new Island in Whalsay. We also discovered that getting onto Fair Isle is harder than getting to the moon. Despite a relatively poor week in comparison with some we've had I'll be back same timee next year.