GREY CATBIRD!! From Shetland to Cornwall!!

2 days before we were due to leave Shetland I found out the news of a Grey Catbird in Cornwall. My heart sank and I just couldn't bare the thought of being gripped off and of no way of getting off early. The next 2 days were painful with continued news of its presence and not a lot happening on the Shetland isles at all. 

Finally after what felt like forever it was time to head home. The boat journey was horrendous and resulted in Ellie being sick and therefore we were placed in a cabin for the night thanks to the very helpful staff on board. 7am and we were heading south doing the long car journey home from Aberdeen to Southampton. It was a fairly good drive back certainly better than the way up and we arrived home around 6pm. 

Few hours kip and at 3am the next day we were back on the road heading down to Cornwall. We arrived at the site at dawn and immediately the catbird started calling and then our first views. A brief flight view down into some scrub on the moor. Get in!! Relief after the 12 hr boat journey and similarly long drive home and the 4 or so hours to get to Cornwall. 

The next few hours were spent watching and photographing this incredible bird. One which ever since clapping eyes on in the Collins birdguide It was high on my list of must sees. 

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