Autumn is prime time for Shetland bird spotting ... even in the kitchen!

The autumn winds bring changes to Shetland’s landscapes, carrying with them the first hints of winter cold and causing the last of the wildflowers to retreat. These winds also often bring birds.

During spring and autumn migrations, weather conditions may cause birds to be blown off course. Shetland offers a perfect stopping point for them to get food and rest before continuing their journey.

Because of the frequency of these rare visitors, Shetland has become one of Britain’s most popular birdwatching locations.

Local experts and information sharing groups on social media mean that when an interesting species is spotted, people have a good chance of seeing it.

Michaelswood, always magical as the leaves transform into their autumn colours, becomes extra special as at any moment you might see an unfamiliar bird. One of my favourites are goldcrest. I usually see them in small groups, seemingly undisturbed as their tiny bodies are buffeted by gales.

I am always amazed how far their song travels, audible even in a howling gale. Walking between the trees this autumn I spotted lots of them along with several robins.

A familiar walk along the coast by my house was transformed when an owl rose from a patch of reeds, gliding over the rocky shore and disappearing out of sight. Although I walked that direction, the owl remained elusive, my only photography so blurry that only I know what it is supposed to be of.

Knowing the owl might be close cause me to slow down and pay more attention to land and sea around me. I noticed a tiny wren scurrying mouse-like between the rocks and a raft of eider close to shore, moving with the wave’s rhythm.

I rarely go looking for particular birds, or seek to photograph rare visitors, I am happy with the fleeting and unexpected encounters that happen naturally.

The most unusual of these happened when I found a beautiful bullfinch in my kitchen. He was perched on top of a box of cereal, sitting so still that I didn’t notice him for a moment. He appeared calm as he watched me from his perch. I opened the window and door for him and left him to find his way out in his own time, and when I returned to the kitchen later, he was gone.

I posted his picture on Twitter where someone pointed out this was likely to be a Northern Bullfinch rather than the European Bullfinch that is more common in the UK. I reported the sighting and my wee visitor made it onto the rare birds sightings which read Northern Bullfinch, in West Burra, photographed on a box of multigrain hoops before reassuring readers that “other cereals are available”. The sighting and subsequent response added a little magic to an otherwise ordinary Tuesday.

I saw him a few more times in the garden, taking shelter in the bare gooseberry bush until he left, continuing his journey.