Large Minke Whale-Shetland

 Mousa sound just a few mins away from home is always good for Minke Whales often having two or three most days but often a way off shore

This Minke may have been over 25 feet long and came close into Sandsaye and along the cliffs at the top of Sandwick

It first moved south along the coast then doubled back and headed north giving superb views

A few observers had headed south to Noness thinking it would carry on but this didn't. You could hearing it blowing it was so still

These whales are now becoming very common from mid June with the east side the best for viewing.

Iceland Gull at Sandwick, Shetland

 February is always a good month to see Iceland and Glaucous gulls in Shetland. More Iceland than Glaucous at the moment

One has been seen for several days in Lerwick but this one turned up at Sandsayre in Sandwick and at this time has been present for 4 days, one day joined by another

Usually the outlet pipe draws at least 20-30 gulls but on this day only the Iceland was present, joined briefly by a few others 

The weather was good for a change and the best sunlight coincided with high tide, the best time to see the gull flock

Like most birds this Iceland Gull had a regular pattern for feeding and came close to the beach numerous times.

This bird may have never seen any humans before arriving in Sandwick and was very confiding

It was good to see it feeding on very small insects sitting on the surface of the sea

Under attack