Stefan McElwee

No apologies for a few more images of the W Yorks Spotted Sandpiper. A confiding bird.

Spotted Sandpiper. Nostell Priory. West Yorkshire Nov 26. My sixth in the UK but easily the most obliging.

Spotted Sandpiper - Wakefield - Yorks.

Hume’s Leaf Warbler. Stiffkey, Norfolk. Nov 26. A record influx of these central Asian wanderers.

Black-faced bunting, Warham Greens, Norfolk. Nov 2026. Super views of this subtle bunting and a cool 27 years since my last, Jimmy Steele’s second British record at Woodhorn, Northumberland.

Wintery feel at Newbiggin today with a brute of a Juv Glaucous gull in the Beacon Point roost. Scaup and a small passage of Little gull the best of the rest.

A few highlights from Shetland 26. Chestnut bunting and Grey-cheeked thrush the rarity highlights but this confiding Bluethroat and Red-breasted flycatcher equally enjoyable.

I was searching for migrants on Shetland when news broke of the Flamborough Rufous-tailed Robin. Two days later I was delighted it stuck long enough to see it. An absolute dream to see one of the ‘mega chats’ amongst the sycamore leaves of an East coast autumn.

Rufous-tailed Robin again n 2.15

Chestnut bunting - a few more.

Chestnut Bunting - Unst - Shetland Oct 26. Phew.

Red-flanked Bluetail. Shetland 26.

Red-flanked Bluetail. Halligarth, Unst. Found by good friend Brydon Thomason this morning. Despite becoming a regular scarce migrant they never lose their magic.

Grey-cheeked Thrush. Continuing to show very well at Quarff today.

Grey-cheeked thrush, Quarff, Shetland.

Aurora Borealis over Shetland just now.

Great first day on Shetland. Arctic, Western Bonellis and Barred warbler but the Boddam Bluethroat stole the show.

Arctic warbler at Fladdabister a great first bird off the boat this morning.

Shetland 26. Here we go. 🤞