Red Flanked Bluetail in Sandwick

A Red Flanked Bluetail was found at Sandlodge in Sandwick , inside the walled garden which has lots of trees and bushes

This made the search for the Bluetail more difficult. Despite 1 1/2 hour search i had seen the bird three times but always fleetingly and deep in cover. Only once did it show near the fence but still down in cover. The last Bluetail up at North Roe was very showy, coming too close to focus and stood out in the open for long periods, a complete contrast to this one

Lots of Barnacle geese have passed through Shetland over the past couple of weeks no doubt heading down to the Solway firth

Other than the Bluetail , Blyth Reed warbler and the Gt White Egret most of the other rarer birds found shelter in the north isles.

A few Lesser Whitethroat were scattered around the south mainland, these at Quendale

Its always good to see Siskins and these were very obliging 

Still lots of Robins around and we have regular garden visits from two. Blackbirds too have increased in number and are now joined by Redwing and Fieldfare

A couple of redstart still showing at Sumburgh quarry, farm and head

Lots of very worn out Goldcrest flitting about and several people have picked these up exhausted