Guillemots returning

Guillemots have been returning to the nesting areas down at Sumburgh over the past couple of weeks

Hopefully they will be Flu less and have plenty of food to ensure a good breeding season

Too many birds are in decline and seabirds are one that has been badly hit over the years. At least a total ban on sandeel fisheries in the UK Will help. Pity the Norwegian don't stop it as well. Its only used for salmon fish food or cat/ dog food

These guillemots will have spent the winter far out to sea and this year especially will have endured many storms and will be a lot weaker than normal

This one was resting on the beach before making its way back into the sea

It was well hidden in the seaweed but always vulnerable to attack by dogs

 

Shetland Sanderlings

Sanderlings are always interesting to watch, this week we have had around 18 down at Grutness

It is always funny to see them running up and down away from the waves, there little legs like clockwork.

If you stay still and quiet they come very close and it reveals the lovely detail in there plumage. We might have this flock for a good few weeks yet so it will be good to see the plumage change

 

Shetland- Spring migration starts

 

Redshanks are with us all year round and are very vocal, which is not great if you are trying to photograph birds nearby, they generally scare them off

There has been a massive fall of Blackbirds this last few days. Down at Grutness (23) , Sandwick (22) and Levenwick (63), most are males

Long Tailed Ducks are still around in good numbers but will soon be heading north to there breeding grounds. One of my favourite ducks

A flock of 28 Turnstone at Grutness, another 44 at West Voe and 12 at Sandsayre

Three Pied Wagtail new in at Grutness, and another black & White bird - a magpie at Wester Quarff this morning, in good condition. The other two , one on Whalsay and at Melby still present- is this the start of an invasion 😁😁. This is a very rare bird in Shetland

Shetland colour

Plenty of colour around at Grutness yesterday

At least 3 Robins which were new in, these are migratory birds as we only have around 10 breeding pairs

                     Sad to see these colourful pieces of plastic `growing' out of the sand at Grutness

           2-3 Stonechats arrived at Grutness, lots around may be 12-14 birds at various locations