Red Breasted Flycatcher at Boddam, Shetland

 The wind direction had changed today but still we got some very interesting migrants in Shetland.

Much has been said about the behaviour of this years birders but i haven't seen anything but good things. What with blocked roads with cars abandoned, speeding and dangerous driving, not social distancing and walking on crops they can make it difficult for local birders when they leave.

I headed down to Levenwick  hoping to see the Bluethroat but it wasn't playing ball, only showed for a few seconds in over 1.5 hours but it did pull in a lot of birders.

I only stopped for a short time and then made my way down to Boddam about 5 mins away. A Red Breasted Flycatcher had arrived and apparently was quiet showy.

With only another two birders present we search over the area turning up Blackcap(4) Wheatear, Robin (6) Chiff Chaff and eventually a Hawfinch (the latter flying into a garden and not reappearing.

We did find the RBF which was down in the lower gardens. We flushed it a couple of times so when the others left i made my way down to the Croft House museum and approaching from the south to its favoured feeding spot.

After about 5 mins it appeared on the lower fence before moving up to the bushes where plenty of flies and bees fed.

It was very lively chasing the insects but did come onto the wall close by a couple of times

Shetland Bird Invasion

The weekend provided plenty of chance for birds to arrive in force with easterly winds. Both common and rarer birds arrived throughout Shetland.

I was down at Quendale on the Sunday and it was buzzing with migrants. I didn't have to go far before seeing two Yellow Browed Warbler in the bushes near the bridge.

Lots of calls came out of the bushes before a few Goldcrest showed and then my first Blue Tit, yes that's right a first for Shetland for me. It coincided with an arrival of about 15 others, these are still rare in Shetland.

Birds moved on both sides of the bridge, with Siskin(4) coming close feeding on weeds. Several Willow Warbler moved between the bridge and the burn and they were joined by Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.

Siskin

Beside the barn at least Robin(4) fed with the odd Greenland Wheatear and Meadow Pipit. A brief view of a Little Bunting down by the burn was followed by an even briefer view of a Turtle Dove which then flew west.

A Kestrel came over just as a flock of 70 Barnacle Geese flew up from the dunes. A Sand Martin flew in to join the party and then a Grey Wagtail flew up from the burn into the farm yard.

Several Robin showed and fed with a small flock of Shetland Starling. A Shetland Wren sang briefly as well

Chiffchaff

Just up the road at Hillwell a Great White Egret fed in the reeds, may be one of three about. On the Loch Tufted, Pochard, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen fed and they were joined by a Grey Heron. A large flock of Gulls congregated on the far shore while Rock Dove, Hoodie, Raven, Redwing and Skylark showed from the barn

Other rarer bird arriving include: a Few Raddes Warblers, Bluethroat, Grey and Red Backed Shrike, Olive Backed Pipits, Surf Scoter, Hen Harrier, Rose Coloured Starling. Lancelated Warbler, Hawfinch and the Tennesee Warbler was still in Yell after a week in the same garden.

Shrike day

With easterly winds for the past couple of days and a chance of a sunny dry day i headed out looking for migrants

I was going up to Yell to see the Tennesee Warbler on Monday but it had decided to leave Shetland so i headed south seeing several Robin and Swallow on the way down.

At Grutness there was a chance to see a Gt Grey Shrike which had been present for 5 days, with the light coming towards the carpark i went to the top end and viewed north which gave a better opportunity to see the Shrike form a slightly elevated position for an old WW2 building

It wasn't long before i picked it up further down towards the carpark i ad just left. It flew into the area of boulders before finally showing better close to the second green marker from my end.

It was good to get these unobstructed views for a change and it performed for a good 10 mins before flying towards the farm. A good number of Redwing with an odd Fieldfare fed in the paddock 

News came in of two Bluethroats at Toab, so i went into the village and found the track down to where it had been seen. It was in a crop of beans, next to a stubble field. It showed straight away but briefly and with views into the sun no photos.  The second Bluethroat not far away must have moved on with no birders around and no sign of the bird.

I headed back to Quendale  where a lot of migrants had been seen yesterday. Passing Hillwell no sign of the Gt White Egret but a flock of 20+ Barnacle goose was a nice sight.

Parking up near the bridge i flushed two Yellow Browed warblers which flew into the bushes never to be seen again. But i did get good views of

Blackcap(6) Chiffchaff (2) WW (2) Brambling, Siskin(4) Robin (5) Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest (4) and a flock of at least 200 noisy Starlings. Lots of Raven and Curlew passed overhead.

News of a Barred Warbler at Dalsetter got me heading across to the east. Only one birder when i  arrived and we both watched a Yellow Browed , Blackcap and the Barred Warbler. The Barred Warbler is a very difficult bird to photograph and this was no exception, disappearing as i raised the camera.

I was down at Boddam seeing lots of Redshank (40) Turnstone (55) Dunlin (6) Teal 12) Mallard (6) and a couple of Seals when news of a Red Backed Shrike came in. It was only at the far end of Boddam so i headed across for good views and photos. 

Also in this well vegetated garden was Yellow Browed, Blackcap and Pied Wagtail

Don't forget to check out my other Shetland blogs

shetlanddream.blogspot.co.uk

shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk