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

 

Spring migration in Shetland.

 Good to see lots of Wheatear about and a few other common migrants such as Chiffchaff. There has 

been a few scarce migrants as well including Ring Necked Ducks, American wigeon, Queen Eider, Common Crane and Little Tern

Chiffchaff are more common up here than Willow Warblers and one or two have been singing which is always a good sign.

The weather has not been good for migrants with strong northerly winds and even some snow.

Unlike down in England we don't have a dawn chorus as such, which i do miss. Perhaps Blackbird, Wren and Starling are good enough.

Shetland- Virkie

 The Pool of Virkie always produces a lot of birds but depends on the tide. There are always lots of gulls as well as waders. Yesterday 34 Bar Tailed Godwit, 38 Ringed Plover, 56 Dunlin, 6 Sanderling, 18 Curlew, 12 oystercatcher, 58 Turnstone

The Red Necked Grebe continues to provide excellent views in the marina 

a few migrants have arrived including Pied Wagtails, Chiffchaff and Wheatear as well as a Swallow over

Shetland Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper and one Turntone

                                                              Purple Sandpiper