SPECIES Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata AGE First-year(?) PI.ACE Fair Isle, Shetland DATE 30th September 1991 TIME From 13.30 GMT until evening: total 2'/2 hours (in two periods) OBSERVER Mark I. Dowie OTHER OBSERVERS RiddifordOPTICAL AIDS Zeiss Dialyt 10 X 40, Nikon E D Fieldscope 30 X RANGE about 3 m PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF THE SPECIES U K : Scilly, three separate individuals; North America: New York Central Park, September 1990, many individuals (similar plumage). WEATHER Cool, sunny, wind 3-4 northerly becoming still, bright sun, perfect clear conditions. CIRCUMSTANCES Whilst searching for a Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachjdactyla reported in the Springfield area, MID, D S and T o m Francis flushed a Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla from the crop at Busta; it flew towards a small vegetable patch next to the house at Busta and the three observers split up in an attempt to relocate the bunting. Suddenly, I noticed a small bird fly up from the ground to perch momentarily on the side of the front wall of the house. My attention was immediately drawn to the bright olive-green mantle, and two conspicuous white wing-bars, before the bird dropped to the grass amongst a small group of feeding Meadow Pipits Anthus pmtensis. During this time, I was nonetheless able to point out the bird--clearly a warbler--to D S and we moved position to seek a better angle to view the pipit flock. My initial thoughts that the bird might be a Blackpoll Warbler were quickly confirmed as the mystery bird