Hat Trick of good migrants

After a wash out Saturday, Sunday afternoon was a lot better. The wind had dropped and the rain had stopped.

First stop Grutness and as we pulled up a flock of waders could be seen. Several Dunlin, including an few young ones fed very close. Six Ringed Plover again with young became very aggressive to the Dunlin chasing them but a larger wader took no notice

This was the Curlew Sandpiper, still there after 3 days and seemed very settled. It worked its way around the edge coming reasonably close

A walk round from Grutness, round the farm to the Quarry and back produced 33 Greenland Wheatear.

Just up the path to the farm an Icterine warbler sat nicely on a fence close to the wall. This is the best view I have had of this species of warbler.

A Stonechat was also present and at least 25 Swallow low over the crop. No Common Rosefinch which was present at the farm early morning.

Nothing much on the sea at the moment. Except a female Red breasted Merganser which was close inshore feeding, close by several Black Guillemot including 5 young also dived for food and seem reasonably successful

This one struggled with either a squat lobster or velvet crab, for a few minutes.

Back down at Sandwick a couple of Common Crane arrived and spent the morning, first in a stubble field then flew over the wall onto a grassy area, but stayed distant. These are different to the Unst birds which flew to Fetlar and was seen at the same time as these two that originally fed at Hillwell
These Cranes are still present today in Sandwick although they have moved a short distance away to a stubble field

A few good birds now arriving with Citrine Wagtail, Two Barred Crossbill, Common Rosefinch, Barred Warbler, American Golden Plover, Honey Buzzard and Greenish Warbler

Common Crane drop in

An early morning start failed to produce the Red Backed Shrike that arrived at Boddam the night before.

However the two cranes decided to stay around Hillwell, viewed from a distance. Having had good views they suddenly took off when a tour group decided to get out of the mini bus far too close to the cranes.

They headed north towards Spiggie but despite a search I couldn't relocate them but apparently they returned to Hillwell late in the day. This is normally a good spot to find Cranes, one stayed throughout last summer

These two birds are the ones that have been up in Unst for the past few days.

The Marsh Harrier, again another late arrival last night had gone from Spiggie, this is normal for migrants at this time of year.

Several Swallow took a liking to a newly cut field and perched on a nearly fence post. They were also landing on the grass and feeding.

A few Whooper Swan remain and a pair of Mute swan have nested at Spiggie although I couldn't see any young.

Lots of Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Curlew could be seen along the western side with a few Greylag.

Meadow Pipit , Wheatear and Skylark flittered among the grass.

Other migrants these last few days have included several Hobby, Sandwick Tern, Cuckoo, Reed & Marsh Warbler, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Grebe and a Pinkfoot. A Dead Scops owl was picked up in Bressay

 Common Seal