Shetland Skuas

 

Arctic Skua , one of my favourite birds

There is always a constant battle with the bigger Gt Skua, often patrolling the same area

A  ringed Arctic Skua

Arctic Skua out gunned by bigger Gt Skua

Fish dropped by Arctic Skua while Gt Skua moves in

Fetlar part 2

 Red Necked Phalaropes are still increasing in number with birds breeding outside Fetlar

Good numbers of Gt Skua on Fetlar, these birds coming into bathe

68 present at one time

Brough Lodge

Ireland, Shetland Wryneck

News came in that there was a Wryneck down at Ireland, Shetland

I was the only person on site until another couple of folk arrived 1/2 hour later. We all took a section of beach to search for the Wryneck and a Lapland Bunting

Our attention was drawn to three Gt Skuas which came down the field having fed on a dead lamb, one stopping off to feed off what looked like another small lamb on the beach

As we searched the beach White Wagtail, Wheatear, Rock and Meadow Pipit put in an appearance but no Wryneck.

Waders we numerous with a Knot flying in join the others

Then after an hour and a half the Wryneck suddenly appeared on a pile of seaweed and just looked around for about a minute before disappearing again .

The camouflage is amazing, it really should be in woodland but the few i have seen in Shetland have all been down on the beach feeding amongst the seaweed.

 As for the Lapland Bunting, it appeared at the far end of the beach, a female good to final see.

Else where in Shetland, A Ringed Necked Duck has been on Hillwell, A Sub-alpine warbler, Bee eater and White Tailed Eagle on Foula, a  White Throated Sparrow on Unst and a Pallid Harrier, Black Kite and White Tailed Eagle on Fair Isle- things are picking up