Sumburgh Spring birds

Finally managed to get out after lots of bad weather and being ill round Christmas. It was an excellent day on Sunday with lots of sun and a lack of wind

We stopped off at Sumburgh and straight away heard the song of Starlings, Twite, Meadow Pipit, Curlew and Oystercatcher - a good sign of spring

The three Twite sang away unconcerned by my close approach. They were joined by around 20 Starling who started singing immediately, what a tonic

Making my way over the West Voe I saw a small bird on a fence post which turned out to be a male Stonechat then the female jumped up near by. This pair has now been present for a week with the odd bird a bit further north

They constantly dropped down into the dunes picking up insects and looked settle, who knows if they will stay to breed

At Grutness only a few Shag could be seen on the incoming tide

This one surfaced just in front of me as I stood on the pier.

Several Red Throated Divers could be seen but only one showed any sign's of Summer plumage

Also good to see a group of 18 Long Tailed ducks in the bay

West Voe
Gt Northern Diver (2) Eider (6) Long Tailed Duck (66) Common Gull (22) Turnstone (18) Gt BB(2) Rock Pipit (4) Herring Gull (8) LBB (1)

Sib Chiffchaff

I missed out on the Siberian Stonechat down at Sandsayre, it was very mobile and was eventually found a good 1/4 mile along the cliffs.

Siberian Chiffchaff

I did come across this Siberian Chiffchaff up at Sumburgh Quarry, one of several in Shetland recently. Still a few common Chiffchaff around as well.

A few Mealy Redpoll have also arrived, again this one was up at the Quarry feeding with a flock of Twite, including a part white headed Twite.

Mealy Redpoll

This Redpoll was very confiding and I had to back off as it came too close to focus.

Still a few Song Thrush among the numerous Redwing in the south mainland. Several Waxwing have also arrived adding a bit of colour. Also a good number of Siskin and Brambling seen.

Pallas's Warbler was still at Hoswick & Burra this weekend but the lighting was poor so gave it a miss having had good views of one last year.