South Mainland Birds

This weeks weather has been very mixed, early in the week snow showers and strong winds then by the end sun but still strong winds and cold

Finally caught up with a pod of killer whales, this pod led by `Busta' came through Lerwick harbour very fast and distant, just coming to the surface 3 times in front of me then gone heading north.

Strong winds hitting the telephoto lens didn't help and snow showers came over too.

Final sighting at Rova Head to the north of Lerwick but even more distant, just after this a heavy snow shower came over and everything disappeared including the Orcas. They eventually came close in shore to feed and gave incredible view to just a few people up in Nesting.

Lots of birds nesting now, with several pairs of Oystercatcher in a couple of fields at Sumburgh. A pair of Blackbirds have also had young, lots of other species are now bringing in lots of nesting material.

Oystercatchers are very noisy at the moment

Wrens in full song and find nest sites in the stone walls

Plenty of waders about, this pair of Ringed Plover feeding in a pool but on the beach at Grutness Turnstone (18) Sanderling (32) Dunlin (14) Redshank (6)

This Shag was resting up and allowed close approach

Still quiet a few Long Tailed Duck in various bays with some males displaying, they will soon to be moving off heading north and no doubt congregating in Bluemull Sound near Unst before leaving for their breeding grounds

Eider having a good meal - crab minus the claw

Lots of Gannet feeding off Grutness

Elsewhere in Shetland now two Common crane, White Billed Diver, Sub-alpine Warbler new in today as well as several Hawfinch

Although the Aurora season has ended you can see many photos on the Shetland Aurora Hunter facebook page just send me a request to join.