Early Migrants in Shetland

It was sad to hear that over 20,000 Guillemots have been washed up on the Dutch coast  recently and it looks like they have starved. They are just confined to the Dutch coast and not Belgium or Germany coastlines, its the biggest find since the 1980 & 1990's

                                                           Chaffinches (Flock of over 20 in Scalloway)

They may have been affected by the contents of 341 containers that were lost in a recent storm from MSC Zoe. The contents included lots of plastic items and included a bag of dangerous powder identified as Organic Peroxide.

Collard Dove common in just a few places in Shetland

Whether any of these Guillemots come from Shetland we shall have to wait and see. This season Guillemots made a return to Sumburgh cliffs in November and then on and off during December. Puffins returned to the cliffs of Sumburgh on the 6 April at least a week earlier than normal

Hawfinch, several still about

Other early migrants this week included Marsh Harrier, Slavonian Grebe(2), Sparrowhawk, Goldfinch,  Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Robin and a few Hawfinch.

Meadow Pipit

Pied Wagtail back in good numbers

Yesterday I came across two adult Little Gull on Henry's loch, great to see in breeding plumage. But left quickly so no photos unfortunately

Brambling

Red and Gt Northern Divers at Grutness and West Voe

RT Diver

Long Tailed Ducks

The Lucsistic Starling was present again at Sandsayre, see the last blog

On the Sunday in a strong easterly wind, we searched Scatness and found a Snow Bunting, Two Dunnock and a Blackbird sheltering on the westside in a geo. Far too windy for any photos. Lots of Fulmar on the cliffs with a few Shag.

Below the cliffs, several Long tailed duck sheltered with one Gt Northern Diver.

Gt Northern Diver

Black Guillemot

#Shetland, #Shetland migrants, #Scalloway, #Hawfich, #Germany, #Dutch