Wednesday, 16 September 2020

Slow start to migration

 Although i didn't really go down to Sheffield to birdwatch, i did manage to get over to Crowden just outside Sheffield with a friend Ron, for a few hours







Just after we arrived in the small carpark next to the reservoir the Lammergeier showed, coming over the brow of the hill and then working along the ridge.

While we didn't go up to the quarry it was good to see the bird, it was massive and as it was a juvenile bird, very dark. The birds we have seen  in the Pyrenees have all been breeding adults, but this was from the Alps and only the second Lammergeier to reach our shores.

While we were in the area we also manage to see Peregrine, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.

Since arriving back in Shetland the weather has not been too good except for Wednesday. With westerly and northerly winds, not many migrants have arrived.



Greenland Wheatear

Few common migrants have arrived and so far and i have only seen Greenland Wheatear, Blackcap, Kestrel, Swallow and lots of Blackbird and the only rare migrant a Citrine Wagtail at Swinster.




Most of the action has been up on Unst & Yell with Spotted Sandpiper, Woodchat Shrike, Citrine Wagtail,  American Golden Plover, Barred Warbler, Grey Phalarope but on Wednesday a few rarer birds arrived in the south mainland although not seen by me these include, Lapland Bunting, Rosefinch, Barred Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Blue Fulmar, Sootie Shearwater.






Not much else to keep the interest with only a few waders with Sanderling, Knot, Turnstone, Curlew, lapwing, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher.

At Grutness a couple of late Guillemot in the bay








Around Grutness flocks of birds have been feeding in the crops with Twite (50) Meadow Pipit (30) Skylark (20)




Autumn sees young Ferret and Field mice on the move and plenty get run over, this very light coloured ferret at Sumburgh









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