I am not a great bird photographer.  I have occasionally managed to catch a good picture, but I am not dedicated enough to sit in a hide for hours in the hope that the right bird will come along.  I am more of an opportunist.

One of the pictures I am particularly proud of was taken during a holiday we had in Shetland in 1997.  There was a delightful book left in our holiday cottage by Bobby Tulloch about Shetland wildlife. We look Bobby at his word and went off to find the red-necked phalarope.  Bobby said it would be no problem.  Just go to the island of Fetlar, park your car in a little layby beside the loch, take out your sandwiches and wait.  And sure enough along swam these lovely little birds.  It was easy to photograph them, they were right at the edge of the water.   Thank you Bobby!  These are very rare birds.  Only a couple of dozen or so breeding pairs in the UK, and most of them on Fetlar.   That day was certainly birdwatching in comfort.

Less comfortable but a wonderful experience none the less, was the walk to the north cliffs of the island of Unst in Shetland.  The cliffs are a bird watcher’s paradise, and the puffins, or tammy norries as the Shetlanders call them, would just sit down right next to you and pose for photographs.

Yesterday’s birdwatching was from the comfort of the conservatory, with the door open, watching the birds which visited the garden. I managed to photograph a few – sparrows, chaffinches, starlings, a pair of collared doves and a rook,  all in the matter of an hour from the comfort of a chair.  A future project will be to capture the tits and goldfinches will are also regular visitors to the garden.   Birdwatching in comfort, indeed.