Boom 3x3 rare birds in Shetland

 This last week proved to be the real starting point of Autumn migration.

Pied Flycatcher

Kestrel

In the isles, Hoopoe, Rosefinch (12) Pectoral Sandpiper (3), King Eider, Bluethroat, Marsh Warbler, Barred Warbler, 

Willow Warbler

Greenland Wheatear

Not seen too much but nice views of Arctic Warbler (3) usually only 5-10 per year in UK, Little Stint, Red Breasted Flycatcher (3) and a few common migrants

Arctic Warbler , 1 of 2 at Quendale

Redstart, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Pied Flycatcher, Swallows, House Martin, 

Conditions were not ideal for photography, the bird kept well inside the bushes only occasionally coming to the edge. This was in among the sycamores while the other bird called and showed next to the mill

All taken at ISO8000 F9 1/1250 200-600+ 1.4 converter

Also had distant views of Minkie Whale

Shetland Arctic Warbler

 Autumn migration has arrived with a bang. The weather yesterday was foggy and dull but still mild

After noticing a fall of Blackbird, the above one of seven around the house.

News started coming in of several rare migrants. Three Red Breasted Flycatcher around Sumburgh, Bluethroat at Noness and Barred Warbler at Swinster, Greenshank in a few places, several Common Rosefinch and a Spotted Redshank at Quendale

Also this Arctic Warbler at Dalsetter in a garden

Having confirmed it was still present, i went down to Dalsetter and saw it straight away in a bush

It was showing well feeding at the edge but it was in a dull place and even at ISO8000 it was only 1/125 second

The eye stripe was every evident even at a distance and it was bulky. 

After search for insects it was flushed with around 50 starlings by a Merlin

After waiting another hour it failed to return, but a Willow Warbler came into the same bush. Arctic Warblers are mainly a Siberian species which winters in SE Asia so well off course.  It is classed as a very rare migrant with only 5-10 records per year

We have had  a lot of Swallow recently, this party of 30 birds down at Hoswick and we have had several parties of Swallow over the field in front of the house.