Hampshire birding and beyond

Before Shetland there was a mega county tick in the form of this Ortolan Bunting. In fact there was also another bird prior to this one at Shatterford in the New Forest but that bird didn't linger and being on a work day there was nothing I could do so when this bird got found I bombed down immediately especially as hants does very poor for passerines so this was a welcome addition. The last bird before these 2 was some 30 years ago so pretty much a tick for everyone. It showed very well to boot which is always a bonus. 

Few days after the Catbird success we were off again this time to Walthamstow London  for a Rustic Bunting. A bird I still needed and one I thought I may get up on Shetland. The journey up wasn't too bad and a few hours later we were on site.  There was plenty of people there and it wasn't long before it popped up from the burnt ground by the football pitches. Initially it was fairly mobile and the easiest way of picking up it whereabouts was on call. A few hours perseverance paid off with some better views as the numbers decreased. Another tick in the bag and my 6th or 7th in a couple of weeks. 

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!!...

Away from the rares here is a selection of other birds I managed to photograph during my time on Shetland.  Shorelark Shorelark Shorelark Shorelark Fem Blackcap Fem Blackcap Hooded Crow Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Black Guillemot Ringed Plover Shorelark Ringed Plover Ringed Plover Redstart Fulmar 'Shetland' Wren 'Shetland' Wren Twite Twite Purple Sandpiper Sanderling Knot Spotted Flycatcher Spotted Flycatcher  Swallow Northern Wheatear Northern Wheatear Spotted Flycatcher  Otter

Yet again another decent Warbler. I have seen one before in East Sussex when I was younger however I'll admit the views were very very poor so this was most welcome and felt like a tick all over.  Although this River Warbler could be fairly elusive at times it was a showy bird as far as they go.  I spent a total of 3hrs with this bird at Wester Quarff and had some amazing views of it but generally it wouldn't show in the open for longer than 5 seconds before it scurried off back into the hedge or rocks that surrounded the garden hence why I only managed 2 useable pics in the time I was there however ot was by far better than the beachy head bird?