Monday 30 September 2019

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Saturday 28 9 19

I was only saying the day before that Saturday would be a good day for migrants and so it was.

 Larger Dunlin behind


Up at Sumburgh Head a Little Bunting and also one at Sumburgh gardens. No Yellow Browed Warblers but plenty of common migrants.



Around Sumburgh/ Grutness lots of Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher , Wheatear and Willow Warblers with the odd Robin, Chaffinch, Whitethroat and Garden Warbler


A large bird of prey disappeared over the ridge just above the quarry and this turned out to be a Short Eared Owl


Arriving back at Grutness a large number of birds gathered at the beach, a nice Semipalmated Sandpiper showed well in a mixed flock of waders which included Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Redshank


The Semi P is an American wader and a rare visitor to Uk shores and only the 4th to be seen in Shetland.


The Semi P was getting picked on and had to run out of the way several times. It looked very small with the others and was actively feeding along the shoreline.


It took off after about 30 mins and landed at Grutness pool before leaving shortly after in an easterly direction





The wader has been back again to the same spot, the three day on the trot.


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