Humpback Feeding in Shetland

For a change we had clear sunny skies and it was completely still, a complete contrast to the last few days

News came in of a Humpback at Levenwick just 5 mins away so we headed off and had views from the South Punds, although distant.  The Humpback was joined by a couple of Minkie Whales although these were very active feeding not spending a lot of time of the surface

We headed down towards the beach to find the small carpark full so we managed to find a spot away from the houses and made our way up to the cliffs where a few people had gathered

As soon as i reached the cliffs the Humpback showed moving towards us. 

It was blowing bubbles to catch fish, which was a good indication where it might surface. You could see the fish swimming in front of the Humpback trying to get away

Its has been a very good year for fish stocks, perhaps the best for 25-30 years which has benefitted not just the whales but numerous seabirds

The Humpback arched its back, diving deep so perhaps this is why no seabirds congregated in the area.

Suddenly the Humpback came shooting upwards doing a feeding lunge, the top part of its body coming out of the water with its mouth wide open, it was so good to be able to photograph this.

We noticed a second Humpback a bit further away which looked smaller and they were joined by by three Minkie Whales which didn't surface for long -so no photos.

One Humpback continued to show close by and came past a couple of Kayakers' who had great views as the whale passed closed by.

Shetland has certainly become a great place for seeing whales, as the same time as we watched these a pod of Orca moved around the coast at Eshaness, this contained 8 mammals.

The covid restrictions may have had something to do with the lack of observers , i only saw 12 people.

A good number of migrants arrived today with Surf and Velvet Scoter, Med Gull, Booted, Barred, Yellow Browed and Western Bonelli Warbler, a few Rosefinch , a lingering Woodchat Shrike in Yell and an American Golden Plover, so things picking up

The new covid rules came in today where family groups and individuals, cannot gather together, so it will be interesting how many birders come to Shetland at the weekend , breaking the rules as they share a car and self catering accommodation. No doubt the police will keep an eye on things as they usually do