Lapland Bunting- Shetland

 Lapland Bunting , always nice to see and this one was very confiding

Shetland divers

Whooper swan with young at Spiggie, we normally have more Whoopers breeding than Mute swans

                                                                 Sanderling on the move

                                                                       Red Throated Divers

 

Shetland wader colours

Lots of flocks of Oystercatchers about but  few back on breeding grounds

In both areas i conduct the Breeding bird survey none were found and they would have normally been back by now.

Up at Quendale the other day i saw two flocks, 138 and 68 both feeding on ploughed land

These flying birds at Grutness seem to be the only ones on breeding grounds as far as i can tell

Turnstone flocks are gathering on the south end beaches, with Grutness 78, West Voe, 56, Sandsayre (33) Sanick (34)

Many in full breeding plumage , a few stay over June but normally further north in Unst. So far only a few Sanderling passing through

St Aidens- visit

 St Aiden's RSPB reserve has been in exsistance for about 9 years as it a reclaimed mining area

It offers a number of different habitats from farmalnd, woodland, lakes, marsh, muddy areas , reedbed

Its a big area but there are numerous paths short and long with a visitors centre and toilets, you have to pay for carpark if you are not a RSPB member

Lots of Magpies

Wood pigeon feeding young

Goldfinch one of a flock of 30+ around carpark

Species

Little Owl, Kestrel, Red Kite (8) Buzzard (4), Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Collard Dove, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Long Tailed Tit, Gt Tit, Blue Tit, Bearded Tit, Little Egret, Common Tern, Herring Gull, GT BB, Black Headed Gull, Cormorant, Tufted, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Gt Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Greylag, Starling, House Sparrow, Lapwing, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit, Mute Swan, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Robin, Coot, Moorhen

43 species