Ring Necked Duck

 We have not had many migrants so far this year but the few that have arrived are rare or scarce birds.

Coming back off holiday it was good to find a Greenish warbler and Bluethroat. Also had confirmation that Redpoll, Quail and Black Redstart have bred,

Later an Arctic Warbler turned up at Boddam and although i managed to see it several times I couldn't get a photo due to a large amount of foliage and branches.

A Pallid Harrier turned up and a long stay Ring Necked Duck was still present at Clickimin, closer in this time. Also it was good to see Red Breasted Merganser young, Tufted, Pintail, Mallard and 59 Oystercatcher. The water quality has improved greatly during the past 5 years, after completion of the new Anderson High School.

Swallow in Shetland.

 Always good to see swallow and the have been increasing in number with a number nesting.

Always difficult photographing them but the OM1-2 and 150-400mm did a great job in tracking them

Shetland waders

 

Found this Bar Tailed Godwit down at Grutness near the pond

Plenty of Turnstone around south mainland with the majority down at Virkie

Risso's dolphins Shetland

Always  a treat to see any dolphin or whales. This pod of about 15 Risso's dolphins passing Sumburgh head

 

Pectoral Sandpiper - Shetland

 I was down at the south end of Shetland, when the news broke of a Pectoral Sandpiper just a few minutes away from home.

As there was no migrants about i headed up to find a small group watching the Sandpiper feeding among seaweed.

It was feeding with Turnstone and Starlings and finding plenty of insects to keep it there for another day, even though the weather has changed again, back to gales.

All my previous sightings have been distant but this didn't seem too bothered coming close.

This is a scarce bird from America or Siberia, as we have had northerly winds if could well have come from the latter.

Red Throated Pipit- Shetland