Sanderling

Had a good influx of Sanderling, the numbers on the beach at sandwick have increased from 6 on Monday to 54 today

 Most are coming into breeding plumage but a few less colourful non breeders among the flock

 It was interesting watching the dominant birds, one kept the others in place but constantly attacking

 The birds under attacked puffed their feathers to look bigger  and they weren't just the non breeders

 Lots of sea weed had been washed up at high tide and most fed on top collecting insects which were numerous

 A few fed along the shore line and these were the birds attacked.

 They will soon be moving onto breeding sites in the Arctic and just stopped off to refuel

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Oystercatcher

Oystercatchers are known as Shalders in Shetland are very common arriving back in Shetland during April 

Lots about on the beach this week, these must be non breeders as others are sat on eggs at the moment

 On Sunday there was a flock of 68 Oystercatcher at the south end of the beach and 55 today . These have been joined by Dunlin(8) Ringed Plover (6), Redshank (6), Curlew (1) Turnstone (58) again the latter in breeding plumage

 Oystercatcher are regularly seen beside of the road feeding but also in fields and on the beach

 Their call is striking and I always enjoy the sound as they fly over the house.

Other birds on the beach include Pied wagtail, Twite, Starling, House Sparrow, Wheatear and Eider. Yesterday a large amount of seaweed had been washed up on a high tide and this attracted more than 20 Common Gull, 7 Herring and 2 Gt BB gulls.

Using a distraction technique, so this may have had a nest on the beach

A Light Phased Arctic Skua was chasing Arctic Terns just off the beach and two Red Throated Diver in the bay

New beach finds in Shetland

Always something interesting to see down at the beach in Shetland. There are some amazing patterns all over the place, just look at this Urchin

Urchin

Common Mussel

Black Limpet 

Not seen this colour before

Remains of a crab

Crab eye

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Lost a tooth ? Beach in close up

Back to the beach and some nice photo opportunities with plenty of seaweed exposed near the tideline

 Worm casts

 Tooth from a seal, 1.5 inches long

 Common Crab claw

Barnacles

Its a bit frustrating at the moment with migration on the go and several good birds about, but with travel banned I wont be able to get to see them. Recent birds include, Gt White Egret, Red Kite, Lanceolated Warbler, Osprey, lots of Pied Flycatchers and several Hawfinch