Shetland Highlights!

I would normally keep the Thornton Blog for Thornton birds but I weakened! So here are some Shetland celebs! Hooded Crow is everywhere as are Ravens.

 My first tick of the trip a Buff bellied pipit from North America or Asia. Much less streaked than Meadow Pipit and, well buffer!

 My favourite, Yellow-Browed Warbler from the Siberian Taiga. There is bound to be one some where in Leicestershire just waiting to be found.

 The Snowball! Hornemanns Arctic Redpoll.

 1st winter Black Guillemot.

 Is it a Pallid Harrier? I hope so!!!!

 Siberian Stonechat showing the lovely plain rump.

 A female Blackcap, one of my favourite birds.

 Photogenic Grey Seals, these ones on the rocks near to Tesco in Lerwick!

So what is frequenting Thornton, well we did the October Webs count. No surprise, both the Scoter and Ruddy ducks had departed, but the highlight was a stunning Kingfisher in the autumn sunshine. Other birds today included a male Blackcap,  Goldcrests, Redwing, and Skylarks. Two migrating Swallows were also seen, but I am confused as to why they were flying north!