Just finished analysing the figures for this years Shetland Breeding Bird survey. As before I completed two 1km squares and these are the results
Plot 1 (AOT)
2017 2018
Blackbird 2 2
Lapwing 2 3
Snipe 0 1
Redshank 1 1
Curlew 2 2
Oystercatcher 1 1
Skylark 5 6/7
M'Pipit 5 5
Wheatear 2 1
Wren 0 1
Plot 2 (AOT)
Blackbird 2 1
Curlew 1 2
Snipe 1 0
Oystercatcher 3 5
Redshank 0 1?
Wheatear 1 2
Skylark 6 8
M'Pipit 7 5
Twite 1 1
Hoodie 1 1
Its good to see Oystercatcher increasing while Curlew which seems to do well in Shetland compared to the rest of the UK , holding their own. Skylark numbers up on both plots with Meadow pipit slightly down.
As with all these figures you have to get a good number of years before a good comparison can be made. All this information has been passed onto The Shetland Amenity Trust which has been conducting this survey and results are normally published in the Shetland Bird Report
Showing posts with label Curlew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curlew. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 July 2018
Sunday, 25 June 2017
Shetland Breeding birds
Shetland is internationally important for its seabird colonies and also for the number of breeding waders, many of which are on the decline.
Its been interesting this year to find a number of Oystercatchers nesting in unusual situations, one on an old fence post - wide enough for a nest, two pairs on a roof and another in a pile of gravel- The farmer wanted to resurface his road but had to wait for the Oystercatcher to lead her young down through the gravel.
Gt Black Back gull taking a crab- far better then an egg
Oystercatchers are very noisy at the moment and a flock of 25 birds has been feeding in the field next to our house which has just had the grass cut for silage. In addition 17 Curlew are regular visitors but tend to feed away from all the other birds.
Ringed Plover seem to be doing well, breeding on the beach and moorland as well
Curlew are very numerous throughout the south mainland, especially around Spiggie, sometimes close to Whimbrel.
Flocks of Lapwing are also gathering, hope these aren't failed breeders. One flock of 38 was notable for this time of year. Snipe are still drumming and Redshank as always very noisy if approached.
I have just completed my third Shetland Breeding bird Survey in the south mainland, results as follows:
PAIRS
Plot 1 2015 2016 2017
Oystercatcher 2 4 3
Lapwing 0 0 0
Curlew 1 1 1
Snipe 0 1 1
Redshank 0 0 0
Ringed Plover 1 0 0
Skylark 8 6 6
Meadow Pipit 6 5 8
Wheatear 0 1 1
Blackbird 3 3 2
Twite 1 0 2
Wren 0 1 0
Total Pairs 22 22 24
Plot 2
Oystercatcher 1 0 0
Lapwing 1 2 3
Curlew 2 1 2
Snipe 0 0 0
Redshank 1 1 1
Ringed Plover 0 0 0
Skylark 4 5 4
Meadow Pipit 7 3 5
Wheatear 1 1 1
Blackbird 1 2 2
Twite 1 0 1
Wren 0 0 0
Total Pairs 19 15 19
Elsewhere there may be three pairs of Robin nesting in Shetland this year with a new pair at Tresta which nested in a plant pot.
A total of around 76 species of bird now regularly nest in Shetland, with Linnet, Grey Wagtail and Swallow recently added.
Brown Rats at Boddam could be taking Shelduck eggs
With a number of scarce breeding birds such as Red Throated Diver, Whimbrel and even Arctic Tern needing extra protection , the RSPB have issued a notice to people with dogs to keep them on a lead, and to be aware not to disturb nesting birds.
Red Throated Diver on the nest, taken from the far side of the loch so not to cause disturbance
Many birds can easily seen away from the nest, Divers come down to the coast to feed as do terns so if you do find a nest on your walk please leave the spot as soon as possible as Skuas, Gulls and Corvids are just waiting for an opportunity to raid a nest.
The Boddam Shelducks never seem to have much luck, this year they are left with 2 + 4 young, not much return from an original brood of 10 each
Young Shelducks have done well to get to this stage in life
Please take a look at my other blogs etc
shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
shetlanddream.blogspot.co.uk
Shetland Aurora Hunter - Facebook just send me a request to join
www.amazingshetland.co.uk (Canvas Prints)
Its been interesting this year to find a number of Oystercatchers nesting in unusual situations, one on an old fence post - wide enough for a nest, two pairs on a roof and another in a pile of gravel- The farmer wanted to resurface his road but had to wait for the Oystercatcher to lead her young down through the gravel.
Oystercatchers are very noisy at the moment and a flock of 25 birds has been feeding in the field next to our house which has just had the grass cut for silage. In addition 17 Curlew are regular visitors but tend to feed away from all the other birds.
Curlew are very numerous throughout the south mainland, especially around Spiggie, sometimes close to Whimbrel.
Flocks of Lapwing are also gathering, hope these aren't failed breeders. One flock of 38 was notable for this time of year. Snipe are still drumming and Redshank as always very noisy if approached.
I have just completed my third Shetland Breeding bird Survey in the south mainland, results as follows:
PAIRS
Plot 1 2015 2016 2017
Oystercatcher 2 4 3
Lapwing 0 0 0
Curlew 1 1 1
Snipe 0 1 1
Redshank 0 0 0
Ringed Plover 1 0 0
Skylark 8 6 6
Meadow Pipit 6 5 8
Wheatear 0 1 1
Blackbird 3 3 2
Twite 1 0 2
Wren 0 1 0
Total Pairs 22 22 24
Plot 2
Oystercatcher 1 0 0
Lapwing 1 2 3
Curlew 2 1 2
Snipe 0 0 0
Redshank 1 1 1
Ringed Plover 0 0 0
Skylark 4 5 4
Meadow Pipit 7 3 5
Wheatear 1 1 1
Blackbird 1 2 2
Twite 1 0 1
Wren 0 0 0
Total Pairs 19 15 19
Elsewhere there may be three pairs of Robin nesting in Shetland this year with a new pair at Tresta which nested in a plant pot.
A total of around 76 species of bird now regularly nest in Shetland, with Linnet, Grey Wagtail and Swallow recently added.
With a number of scarce breeding birds such as Red Throated Diver, Whimbrel and even Arctic Tern needing extra protection , the RSPB have issued a notice to people with dogs to keep them on a lead, and to be aware not to disturb nesting birds.
Many birds can easily seen away from the nest, Divers come down to the coast to feed as do terns so if you do find a nest on your walk please leave the spot as soon as possible as Skuas, Gulls and Corvids are just waiting for an opportunity to raid a nest.
The Boddam Shelducks never seem to have much luck, this year they are left with 2 + 4 young, not much return from an original brood of 10 each
Please take a look at my other blogs etc
shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
shetlanddream.blogspot.co.uk
Shetland Aurora Hunter - Facebook just send me a request to join
www.amazingshetland.co.uk (Canvas Prints)
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