Gull at Grutness

A Shelduck visited Grutness

Around 100 Gulls in the voe, mainly Kittiwake and common Gulls

I have found over 14 dead seabirds, these may have died as a result of bird flu which is affecting lots of birds in Shetland

A couple of Gt Northern Divers 

Common gull numbers building at Grutness, they nest between the Arctic Terns

 

Birds full of song

Two great singers, always a pleasure to hear then at the start of spring

The Shetland wren is with us all year round and is a very active bird seen in a variety of habitats

They often pop up when least expected and give you a loud blast.

 They Skylark on the other hand leaves Shetland in late October/ Early November and returns in February/ March and is one of the key indicators that spring is with us. Some bird might over winter is its mild

Shetland skylark numbers seem to be reasonably stable and on my breeding birds survey which i have been involved with for the past 7 years, numbers on both squares have not really been moving one way or the other.

It is great to open our front door and hear skylarks singing all around.

Some Shetland Puffin books still available at £14 +£4.75 postage and packing, A4 size with 97 colour photos and lots of information.  email:shetspuffinbook@gmail.com, 

Shetland wader colours

Lots of flocks of Oystercatchers about but  few back on breeding grounds

In both areas i conduct the Breeding bird survey none were found and they would have normally been back by now.

Up at Quendale the other day i saw two flocks, 138 and 68 both feeding on ploughed land

These flying birds at Grutness seem to be the only ones on breeding grounds as far as i can tell

Turnstone flocks are gathering on the south end beaches, with Grutness 78, West Voe, 56, Sandsayre (33) Sanick (34)

Many in full breeding plumage , a few stay over June but normally further north in Unst. So far only a few Sanderling passing through