High Flyers . . . .

Strong winds and rain have made birding and photography somewhat difficult on Fair Isle for the last couple of days. However Wednesday saw the Hawfinch still at The Haa, a smart Yellow Wagtail with Turnstones on fields adjacent to South Harbour and several flocks of Whooper Swans battling the elements over the Island, along with Greylags, Pink-feet and Barnacle Geese. A highlight was watching a Short-eared Owl in Da Water which flew over the sea before landing to roost in long grasses below the school. Other birds included a Yellow-browed Warbler, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunlin and 4 Red-breasted Mergansers. The Island is generally very quiet for migrants! We need a change in wind and birding fortune this week! However it's great just being here with friends, enjoying crofting life at Burkle with fresh eggs daily, homemade soups and baking, pig slaughtering and butchery, getting cuddles from George the cat (who hates going outside luckily!), lots of tea drinking and the odd Tennants!