Blacktoft Herons

Good to see lots of Herons at Blacktoft

About 20 Little Egrets present throughout the reserve

Good to get this one in full breeding plumage displaying very close to the hide

Grey Heron passing over, no doubt feeding on the many rats present on the reserve 

 

it was good to see 3 Gt White Egret flying over

Blacktoft Marsh Harriers

 We don't see too many Marsh Harriers in Shetland, just passage birds so it was good to get down to Blacktoft Sands to see about 20+ birds

Blacktoft is one of the best places in the UK to see them and we saw activity throughout the day.

About 50 years ago there was only one pair breeding in the UK , now Blacktoft has 10 breeding pairs.

Now around 695 pairs breed which is a great conservation success. This is down to creating reedbed habitats and Blacktoft is one of the biggest in the UK, also a reducing and banning of harmful pesticides.

 

Here the Harriers feed on rats, small birds and even insects

You can see Marsh, Hen and occasional Montagues Harriers in winter.