Bar Tailed Godwit

 

Local birds

 I am always keen to see what is in the field in front of the house. Today a small flock of 22 Redwing dropped in with three Fieldfare and four Blackbird

These joined two Curlew, six Rock Dove, four Herring Gull, four Hoddie and thirty Starling, that was until a Merlin swooped low over the field , moments later nothing

Up in Unst 3 Glossy Ibis, 2 King Eider while a Bittern was a good find on Whalsay until it died

Shetland Ring Necked Duck

 Had a run up to Tingwall Loch and although it was dull and bad light i managed to see the following.

Two Ringed Necked ducks had been present for a few months but despite a few trips i had not seen either. On this trip i found a group of Tufted well over the far side of the loch and i was pleased to find that one Ringed Neck Duck was part of the flock.. Pity light and distance was not better

Also a Common Scoter came out of the reedbed at the north end and went to the south. A Long Tailed Duck and Eider were also near the boat shed.

Mallard (12) Grey Heron (3) and a number of gull also found at the north end which were joined by 4 Dunlin and 2 Curlew

Red Breasted Merganser

Red Breasted Merganser always look very smart and we have good numbers throughout Shetland

This is a sea duck which sometimes can be seen in large flocks

In keeping with all ducks the females are brown to blend in with the surroundings whe the are breeding or looking after the young