Shetland Iceland gulls

February is always the best month to see white winged gulls in Shetland

This week at least 20 Iceland gulls present with 5 or 6 Glaucous

At least 12 Iceland gulls in Lerwick Harbour, also down at Grutness, Hillwell, Yell and in Unst

The light was not good but at least it wasn't too windy

Throwing some bread attracted all the gulls from the roof of the fish processing factory.

Never got any of the adult bird but the 1-3 year birds put on a good display

 

Shetland Tundra Bean Geese

 

We have had about 6 long stay Tundra Bean Geese in Shetland. These have been at Ringsta, Sandwick, Lerwick, Quendale

They have joined flocks of Greylag and a few Pinkfeet.

They are smaller than Greylags and usually stay slightly separate from the Greylag flock

 

The colour and face pattern is easily recognisable

These geese breed in Northern Siberia

Shetland Starling

It was good to have some winter sun after days and days of cloudy weather

One bird that always lifts your spirits are Shetland Starling. They are present all year round and do not migrate like the other European Starlings

They are always chattering and singing away and provide lots of colour

Around the house we have around 100 or so that fly down to the field at the south side to feed 

With Shetland having only just about 5.5 hours of daylight at this time of year we see flocks of Starling going to roost heading past our house and down towards the marsh

 

Great Northern Diver- Shetland

Gt Northern Divers have always been a favourite and we have 30+ birds in winter, spread out around Shetland

On an incoming tide some birds come in close into shore and its easier to get a photo as they dive for food