First stop Grutness and as we pulled up a flock of waders could be seen. Several Dunlin, including an few young ones fed very close. Six Ringed Plover again with young became very aggressive to the Dunlin chasing them but a larger wader took no notice
This was the Curlew Sandpiper, still there after 3 days and seemed very settled. It worked its way around the edge coming reasonably close
A walk round from Grutness, round the farm to the Quarry and back produced 33 Greenland Wheatear.
Just up the path to the farm an Icterine warbler sat nicely on a fence close to the wall. This is the best view I have had of this species of warbler.
A Stonechat was also present and at least 25 Swallow low over the crop. No Common Rosefinch which was present at the farm early morning.
Nothing much on the sea at the moment. Except a female Red breasted Merganser which was close inshore feeding, close by several Black Guillemot including 5 young also dived for food and seem reasonably successful
This one struggled with either a squat lobster or velvet crab, for a few minutes.
Back down at Sandwick a couple of Common Crane arrived and spent the morning, first in a stubble field then flew over the wall onto a grassy area, but stayed distant. These are different to the Unst birds which flew to Fetlar and was seen at the same time as these two that originally fed at Hillwell
These Cranes are still present today in Sandwick although they have moved a short distance away to a stubble field
A few good birds now arriving with Citrine Wagtail, Two Barred Crossbill, Common Rosefinch, Barred Warbler, American Golden Plover, Honey Buzzard and Greenish Warbler
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