Back in the mid-Alantic

Second-winter Azorean Gull

Here we are, set for another season. Not overly enamoured by the week's forecast - expecting a struggle but to be honest, it's just nice to be back.

The Willet is surprisingly difficult at times but evidently has massive potential - a local was watching it to 15 metres when we arrived this afternoon but we didn't get very good views by comparison. First visit it flew off just after we arrived, second it wasn't present and third it spend most of its time hidden behind rocks at relative distance. Couple of poor record shots:

Western Willet, 5 October 2014

Next update from the Rock.

Concluding a fine trip...

...not with a bird from the States, but a lost Oystercatcher of the Central Asian subspecies longipes. I was pretty impressed with how distinctive it was - the brown wash to the upperparts and broad white collar integral to this. By hiding behind a rock on the beach, I was able to obtain some good views and therefore images.

And so, with a final few shots of the bird in to the setting sun, that was that for another fabulous Azorean trip. I'm back in London now, already looking forward to 2014.