Spring migrants arrive in Shetland

This weekend the weather was perfect for migrants to move north with either easterly or southerly winds and it was warm as well.

A good number of Gt Skua passed over along with Gt BB looking for suitable prey.

                                                                  Gt Skuas feeding on a Moorhen at Spiggie

Down in the Shetland south mainland it was good to see a number of Puffin back on the cliffs at Sumburgh with a good supporting cast of Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Shag.

Down at Grutness a flock of 18 Turnstone many in breeding plumage stood around the fresh water pool and a couple of Ringed Plover flew in to join them. A few pairs of Common Gull were mating in the tern colony, which was now filling up with Arctic Terns

A winter plumaged Gt Northern Diver came close in and later a female Common Scoter was showing. A Chiffchaff sang at the garden and a couple of Pied Wagtail flittered around. Nothing was found at the Quarry or farm.

Down at West Voe , Gt Northern Diver (5) showed very well and these were in breeding plumage as was a couple of Long Tailed Duck. Kittiwakes (83) resting in the middle of the bay.

 A flock of over150 Arctic Tern and a couple of Common Tern were noisy with a few carrying large Sandeels waiting to engage in breeding activity.

Again, Turnstones came close in with a flock of 26 among the rocks and these joined by a few Sanderling still in winter plumage & White Wagtail(2) . Going round to Grutness many Skylark and Meadow Pipit sang and a small flock of Swallow (5) flew over the airstrip. Up at Hillwell a flock of at least 70 Swallow and two House Martin was a good sight.

A couple of Arctic Skua came in off the sea attracting the attention of two pairs of Oystercatcher who chased them off. Down at Quendale a Glaucous gull was found aamong the large flock of resting gulls

Gt N Diver, Red Throated Diver, Common Scoter, Long Tailed Duck,  Mallard, Shag, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Snipe, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, House Sparrow, Twite, Linnet,  Lesser Redpoll, Common Redpoll, Blackbird, Wren, Puffin, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Arctic Skua, Gt Skua, Raven, Hoddie, Rock Dove, Wheatear, Swallow, Gannet, Pied/white Wagtail, Common Tern, Arctic tern, Common Gull, Herring Gull, BH Gull, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Greylag, Chiffchaff, Shoveler, Tufted, Shelduck, House Martin, Coromorant, Whooper, Mute swan, Sanderling, Dunlin, Glaucous Gull, Coot, Moorhen
(56)

                                                                                              Shetland Wren