Shetland 2021: Day 10

Sunday 17/10. Man Down - Jonno’s last day. 

We started back in the docks at Lerwick. This time one of the habituated Otters was quickly on show. It foraged along the shore just feet away from us for the best part of an hour. A really wonderful encounter and by far the best views I’ve ever had.

We headed south and we’re just debating where to spend the last few hours available to us when news came through of a Red-flanked Bluetail at Hestingtott. We arrived just as the bird had been refound, but it was clearly fresh in and wouldn’t settle. I managed to refind it as it sped through some gardens, but it promptly vanished. Eventually it settled in to a small but densely vegetated garden. It remained in there but elusive. Thankfully all three of us managed good views with patience. There’s something about this species that retains a much-cherished status amongst British birders. Once a true mega, the first twitchable bird of modern times in Dorset in 1993 sparked a huge twitch. How times have changed - bluetail are now an expected autumn migrant, having gone a strong westward breeding range expansion in to Scandinavia. Maybe one day it’ll grace the Scottish highlands as a breeding bird. 

Bluetail. The only shot I've seen of this elusive individual. Thanks to @MtnsofScotland

It was a fitting finale to Jonno’s trip before the short drive to drop the lad off at Sumburgh Airport. Adios amigo, it’s been a blast.

Andy and I moved around for a bit with little clear plan or intention, before settling for a Chinese takeaway and watching a couple of episodes of a footy documentary on our last evening in the digs.