Fair Isle 2023. Part 5. Little Bunting and geese.

Little Bunting is one of those birds that a Shetland autumn turns up on a regular basis. Indeed they could almost be classed as a scarce passage migrant on the northern isles. There had been several knocking around Fair Isle whilst we were there but they'd proved elusive and didn't stick around. Jason & I were walking down Hill Dyke when news came out that one was showing well at Chalet. We could see Brendan & Greg watching it from our lofty position so cut down through Pund and joined them. After all who doesn't love a Little Bunting! 

As well as the Little Bunting the garden at Chalet also produced a Bluethroat and several Common Rosefinches during the week.

Geese are feature of autumns on Fair Isle and with a change in the wind direction came hundreds of Barnacle Geese and  Pinkfeet to join the Greylags already present. The small group of Pinkfooted Geese that took up temporary residence were joined by a Tundra Bean allowing a good comparison between the two species.

Pinkfeet.

Tundra Bean

Common migrants were trickling in and most days we saw something new. Several Tree Pipits were seen at different locations along with Whinchats & Wheatears.

Another good bird was found by Deryk in a geo using his thermal imager  - Fair Isles 12th Treecreeper! And a race tick forr me as it was the northern race. It was quite surreal watching a Treecreeper clambering up vertical rock faces like a Wallcreeper! 

Another great day with 11 miles covered over rough terrain wearing wellies and carrying a rucksack. Thankfully Hollie fed us well so we had the energy to carry on each day.