The weather was absolutely atrocious and we arrived, at the very same stand of small sycamores we'd started our trip at just over a week previously, to find half a dozen absolutely soaked birders peering into the rain sodden vegetation. Recognising Cliff Smith I rang he to let him know we were watching him watching the bird and could he point it out so we didn't have to leave the warmth of the car.
Eventually the rain eased off enough for us to venture out and within seconds we were watching a Veery unconcernedly going about its business of demolishing earthworms. This was my 2nd Veery in the UK following the one on Muck we saw in equally as appalling weather. See here for details of that twitch.
More than satisfied with our views and with time creeping along we decided to head south to Sumburgh airport where we just had time to call in and see a Greenish Warbler at nearby Grutness.
A real case of east meets west with the Veery from the west and the Greenish Warbler from the east. Our final bird of an amazing trip. No new birds for me on this trip but my best ever views of Red-tailed Shrike, Radde's Warbler & Lanceolated Warbler. A new 'race' in the form of Northern Treecreeper and a new moth in the form of a Convolvulus Hawkmoth that Deryk found in the road and brought in to show us just before dinner one night. What a beast of a moth.
We're already planning next years trip. Hopefully Fair Isle Obs will be open for guests but we won't know until next spring. Many thanks to everyone who made this trip so enjoyable. Deryk & Hollie for putting us up and feeding us. Alex (acting warden), Georgia (AW) and Sam (volunteer) for their hardwork in finding rarities. Brendan, our house mate for the best part of week and Steve and Greg.
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