Shetland Otters

At a voe in the South mainland I came across two otters, good to see in this area as two adults had been killed by cars two years ago so it looks like they have recolonised. 

There are plenty to go round with an estimated 1500 otters in Shetland, the highest density in Europe

They both fed in the middle of the voe having a lot of success then the split up with one coming up to preen and eventually going to sleep.

Shetland Orcas

The Orcas have been seen further north that is until Sunday when they were picked up in Lerwick heading south at speed.

The call in near Tesco before being seen again at Quarff, then Aithsetter and Helliness. We had headed to the lower layby at Cunningsburgh with only one car waiting. Things got a lot busier an hour later as they came along Helliness where several folk could be seen walking along the coastline.

We had just seen a small group of seals close to where the layby is situated, good news. Well it was for five minutes until we found the Orcas had gone past the bay and heading towards Mousa.

There looked like one Bull (Busta) and possibly 4/5 females in pod 64.

We set off and headed down to Clumliewick, a place where they sometimes come in hunting seals. I headed out to the point , a very boggy walk.

After about 10 mins I saw the pod entering Noness and making a kill about 1/2 way out. At least the light was good looking north

They stayed about a few mins before diving and then completely disappearing.

Killer Whales (Orcas) can dive for up to 20 mins so it was no wonder that they then turned up towards Levenwick and had totally bypassed me underwater.

Lots of visitors had good view of these Whales as they travelled down the east side and eventually moving out towards Fair isle

 small group of whale watcher at Noness

Heading off towards Levenwick

Shetland Waders & Seabirds

On Sunday Two Barred Crossbills still arrived in Shetland with further birds at Veensgarth, Yell, Hillwell, Bressay and Stromfirth around 17 in total with 25+ Common Crossbill.

It was interesting to read that a dead Arctic Tern was recovered a few weeks ago near Aberdeen and it was found that it was 32 years old, beating the previous record by two years. It was estimated that it may have covered at least 1.5 Million miles in its lifetime.

I ventured south and arrived in a very foggy Sumburgh. At the tern colony young terns could be seen, six in total with adults feeding them. Several first year birds flew around the pool and adults brought in some Sandeels.

Lots of Oystercatcher still fed in the paddocks and a small party fed and drank from the loch. What was unusual was one taking green weed out of the loch, not once but five times and this was draped over its beak.

A small flock of Dunlin arrived, one bearing rings. This bird was ringed at  Ynyslas Nature reserve near Aberystwyth, Wales in 12 August 2017

Several Ringed Plover including young also mixed in.

Not a lot on the beach excepts around 50 Common Gull.

At a voe in the South mainland I came across two otters, good to see in this area as two adults had been killed by cars two years ago so it looks like they have recolonised. There are plenty to go round with an estimated 1500 animals, the highest density in Europe

They both fed in the middle of the voe having a lot of success then the split up with one coming up to preen and eventually going to sleep.

Up at Sumburgh Head there was a lot of Puffins, People and Gt Skuas. The smell and sound is nothing like it was 25 years ago but still a great place to visit.

The Guillemot young, jumplings are at a stage they are ready to jump off the cliffs and onto the sea to be quickly followed by the adults and then they swim out into the north sea for a life that is full of hazards.

Never seen so many Skuas around the head, at least 25 with a few Arctic Skuas all looking for prey.

I did see one lift a young bird from a nest, possibly a herring gull. News of an Otter at the lighthouse is now become a regular feature, unfortunately its taking young Puffins.