Aurora borealis

Glaucous needle in gull haystack

Spent half an hour this lunchtime searching through the enormous amorphous swirl of gulls at Shetland Catch for something interesting, much encouraged by practically the first bird I clapped bins on, a respectable creamy-coffee young Glaucous Gull. Managed to stay with it for, oh, all of 20 seconds before it vanished into the seething mass of flying larids, and for the remaining half hour I couldn't refind it or indeed anything else worth recording. (Apart from a late Bonxie far out in the harbour).

Felt slightly churlish about gull-hunting given the splendid south-easterly spell we're having... but the wind is too strong for meaningful passerine birding, as proved by my fruitless attempts to see the Swining White's Thrush yesterday evening - gave up in disgust, defeated by failing light, drizzle, lashing vegetation, and a complete lack of skulking fat thrushes.

Originally meant to be on Foula today, but told there was a less than 50% chance of getting off again in the late afternoon... Next chance to leave would have been Friday, which would be lovely of course being marooned on such a productive island, but work and home commitments forced a reluctant decision in favour of not going. Oh well, no Yellowthroat to tempt me anyway!

Very much hoping the wind will ease off by the weekend, and there'll be a chance for one last BB on the island before the winter sets in with a vengeance.

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