Migration finally

 While there has been a few rarities about, including  the Tennese Warbler in Yell and others up in Unst its been fairly quite in the south mainland.

We had a couple of days when a few common migrants turned up, several Yellow Browed Warbler one of my faviourities were found at the quarry, Grutness and Sumburgh gardens, always a nice find

A Lapland Bunting down at the pool at Grutness, which was elusive at first put in an appearance over the far side of the loch for a second time.

In the sun a Brambling, Willow Warbler (4) Goldcrest (3) Blackcap (2) Swallow (6) Redwing showed well.

Flocks are starting to form with a flock of Skylark (50) Meadow Pipit (70) Twite (50), Rock Dove (75) around the farm

Shetland Migration starts

Lots of waders passing through including a number of young Dunlin, over at Virkie a couple of Little Stint showed and one also appeared at Boddam

After a slow start to Autumn migration it kicked off this week with a scattering of common and scarce birds

it's always good to see the small birds as we don't get too many species during the breeding season  in Shetland. A number of  Lapland Bunting had been seen including three down at Grutness, guess what none present when i went looking

To start with a Willow Warbler showed its self in the garden and it was chased around by the smaller Yellow Browed Warbler which was calling a lot.

YBW are one of my favourite warblers and normally they are very showy. This bird no exception as it popped up in several bushes.

Also in the garden was two Redstarts and they kept flying in and out of the garden collecting insects

The Woodchat Shrike didn't show to me down at Levenwick but a few birders have had very distant views, another can be found up in Yell at the Windhouse, there are a couple of Red Backed Shrike in the south mainland as well

A flock of Swallow came over including some juvenile  birds which landed in the chalet area of Sumburgh hotel and  a House Martin followed. Also in the garden was a Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and a Kestrel passed over

A Humpback showed just off Bressay, several Minkie whales found off the east coast while lots of Risso and White Sided dolphin gathered in the bays