An Arctic Skua (Scootie Allan - in Shetlandspeak) patrolling Tresta Beach. The Arctic Terns (Tirricks - in Shetlandspeak) were not happy.
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Spent an enjoyable half hour watching a dozen (8f + 4m) RNPhals feeding on the sea, in the late evening light.
Sorry for the Phal’ overload but I find them irresistible
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Lovely photographs Paul.
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Lovely looking birds too.
Amazing shots, keep em’ coming!!
Found a stunning male Red-backed Shrike today. Unfortunately it was distant so only managed a naff record shot. In my defence, it was 300m away…
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Many Long Tailed Tits in the garden
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The Shrike was a little closer this evening
also calling frequently
and occasionally preening
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We used to get frequent visits on our feeders but haven’t seen any for the last three years.
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What is their usual range jn the UK Paul?
Stunning bird.
One of my favourites, along with Goldfinches.
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Formerly a British breeding species but disappeared in the early '90s
Still the odd pair breed - inc. in 2020 in Shetland - but that’s extremely rare nowadays.
It’s a scarce passage migrant now, although last year they weren’t scarce here, I found maybe 35 of them, on Fetlar, last Spring.
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We get loads of Goldfinches. One pair of Bull Finches, one pair of Greenfinches, one pair of Chaffinches, Blue Tits and Great Tits.
All bringing their newly fledged currently.
Not seen the woodpeckers yet thos year.
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I fear if a bird that small was 300m away from me I’d not have noticed it. (One of) the differences between you and me, I suspect 
!
If it’s on eggs the only way it will move is to attack you
Herring Gulls are feisty buggers, especially if they’re on eggs or have young.
I reckon a strategically placed plate of chips or a pasty would’ve moved it. As others in Polperro were finding out!
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Goes for most meatmen also I’d have thought …