Today was my quest for the Buff bellied pipit & the Buff bellied sandpiper..

Mark had told me the location of these rarities..

So i got up early this morning, and got my outdoor gear on, i set off for Eshaness at 0900am..

My first stop was the Brae coop. there i got a couple o sandwiches, just in case the Braewick cafe was closed..

When i arrived at Eshaness, i spotted a flock of Lapland buntings, so i took a few photos of them..

Then it was up to the lighthouse, and parked up..

Loaded myself with my gear, and wandered down to the Gerdi water, just before you reach it, i found the pool that Mark had told me about.

They were'nt home.. blast.. i knew i should have went sooner, but i set up my tripod, sat down on a rock, and waited..

One other birdie watcher was about a half mile further on from me..

As i watched. i noticed a very large flock of Snow buntings, they reminded me of large flocks of Starlings, only they were white, there were that many of them, that it looked like a snow shower..

After  a while, with no showing of the Buff bellied sandpipers.. I decided to explore the Gerdi Loch and the nearby lochans for them.. but no sightings of them..

So i headed back to my car..

Next stop was at Tangwick for the Buff bellied pipet..

Another disappointment, it was'nt there, but i got really nice photos of a few Sky larks and Meadow pipits.. so i was'nt bothered about the rarities..

Then it was lunch time, so i dropped in to the eshaness hall, it was closed..

I then headed to Braewick cafe.. it was also closed for the winter..

So, just as well i had the forsight to get my sandwiches from the coop.. as i was starving by this time..

So, all in all, although i did'nt get the birds i wanted.. I did get the Lapland bunting, a bird i have never photographed before, so I was quite happy..

 I will post it on a wildlife forum i'm on, they have a bird challenge on going, and the Lapland bunting will be a welcome addition to it..

I enjoyed my day out.. I hope you all enjoy yours..

george..