making a difference.

Before we came to Shetland I had taken part in many different wildlife surveys and as soon as we settled in I signed up for a number of surveys here. Making any contribution to the understanding of wildlife in any region is very beneficial, you never know what is going to impact on a site or species and the only way to safeguard is to collect information for as long as possible by as many people as possible. Already threats have come in from the proposed wind farm in the central mainland, Yell and no doubt many others sites and conversations on the impacts continue.

                                                                                     Siskin, on the up, have you noticed this ?

Objections can be made if you know whats happening but like most areas in the UK things happen on the quiet and then its too late. In this weeks Shetland Times the newspaper highlighted the fact that an area of marshland in Unst is being drained in an attempt to prevent flooding. The area in Haroldswick which has attracted many species had been designated a local nature reserve, one of 31 in Shetland.
This unfortunately offers no protection and work had already been done with an excavator which had dug trenches several feet wide without  prior consultation.

                                                                          Eider Duck why are they declining in Shetland ?

These areas are important areas of bio- diversity as habitats for a range of species including either national or local rarities. The council has a list of the local nature reserves so why no consultation ? This area is well known and records have been taken into consideration when designating it a local nature reserve but many areas in Shetland are equally important and records from individuals can make a difference, so please submit records to relevant wildlife groups where ever you are.!!!!

                                                                       Gt Northern Diver, how many winter in Shetland ?

When oil birds are found, analysis of the type of oil is collected and can be traced to a certain oil field location, or types of oils. Its not just seabirds that are found, other birds have included Whooper Swan, Long Eared Owl  and even a Night Heron to name a few.

For the past five months i have been surveying the beach at Sandsayre, Only a Fulmar has been found so far and this was back in June. The survey takes place the last weekend of the month throughout the year. I will discuss the other surveys I undertake later this year.

                                                                                            Sandsayre beach

An easy one for everyone to make a contribution is to send in bird records , not just rare birds but common ones too.

Blackbirds do you know what you local population is ?

Black Guillemot

                                                                        Song Thrush, a large influx in Shetland this autumn