Shetland Orcas

The Orcas have been seen further north that is until Sunday when they were picked up in Lerwick heading south at speed.

The call in near Tesco before being seen again at Quarff, then Aithsetter and Helliness. We had headed to the lower layby at Cunningsburgh with only one car waiting. Things got a lot busier an hour later as they came along Helliness where several folk could be seen walking along the coastline.

We had just seen a small group of seals close to where the layby is situated, good news. Well it was for five minutes until we found the Orcas had gone past the bay and heading towards Mousa.

There looked like one Bull (Busta) and possibly 4/5 females in pod 64.

We set off and headed down to Clumliewick, a place where they sometimes come in hunting seals. I headed out to the point , a very boggy walk.

After about 10 mins I saw the pod entering Noness and making a kill about 1/2 way out. At least the light was good looking north

They stayed about a few mins before diving and then completely disappearing.

Killer Whales (Orcas) can dive for up to 20 mins so it was no wonder that they then turned up towards Levenwick and had totally bypassed me underwater.

Lots of visitors had good view of these Whales as they travelled down the east side and eventually moving out towards Fair isle

 small group of whale watcher at Noness

Heading off towards Levenwick

Shetland Hoopoe

Its always good to see an unusual migrant and one popped this week at Burra on the west side of Shetland.

A Hoopoe was seen by a non- birder out of her living room window and although she didn't know what it was, she reported it and it was soon confirmed as an exotic Hoopoe. This is my first Spring Hoopoe the other an Autumn migrant over at Quarff a couple of years ago

This one seemed quiet at home on a grazed field containing Shetland Ponies, lots of Ringed Plover , Oystercatchers and Rabbits.

Although not particularly hilly the Hoopoe spent time in a few dips and behind the odd rock making viewing difficult.

I then approached it from the beach side in better light and found it more or less straight away close to a rock although it kept its distance

It fed among the horse dung finding plenty of insects and when approached too closely would raise its crest before flying off a short distance.

It eventually flew off to another field to the west so I left it, but was relocated by another birder 1/2 hour later.

This has to be the same bird that was on Fair Isle last week and it stayed 3 day on Shetland before leaving in sunny weather

It looked a bit odd sitting it out in heavy snow showers that passed through Burra

Elsewhere in Shetland, two Common Crane on Unst, a few Short Eared Owls south mainland, 3 Garganey and spotted Redshank at Hillwell

#Shetland, #Fair isle, #Hoopoe, #Shetland Migrant, #Spring Migrants