The weekend provided plenty of chance for birds to arrive in force with easterly winds. Both common and rarer birds arrived throughout Shetland.
I was down at Quendale on the Sunday and it was buzzing with migrants. I didn't have to go far before seeing two Yellow Browed Warbler in the bushes near the bridge.
Lots of calls came out of the bushes before a few Goldcrest showed and then my first Blue Tit, yes that's right a first for Shetland for me. It coincided with an arrival of about 15 others, these are still rare in Shetland.
Birds moved on both sides of the bridge, with Siskin(4) coming close feeding on weeds. Several Willow Warbler moved between the bridge and the burn and they were joined by Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.
Beside the barn at least Robin(4) fed with the odd Greenland Wheatear and Meadow Pipit. A brief view of a Little Bunting down by the burn was followed by an even briefer view of a Turtle Dove which then flew west.
A Kestrel came over just as a flock of 70 Barnacle Geese flew up from the dunes. A Sand Martin flew in to join the party and then a Grey Wagtail flew up from the burn into the farm yard.
Several Robin showed and fed with a small flock of Shetland Starling. A Shetland Wren sang briefly as well
Just up the road at Hillwell a Great White Egret fed in the reeds, may be one of three about. On the Loch Tufted, Pochard, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen fed and they were joined by a Grey Heron. A large flock of Gulls congregated on the far shore while Rock Dove, Hoodie, Raven, Redwing and Skylark showed from the barn
Other rarer bird arriving include: a Few Raddes Warblers, Bluethroat, Grey and Red Backed Shrike, Olive Backed Pipits, Surf Scoter, Hen Harrier, Rose Coloured Starling. Lancelated Warbler, Hawfinch and the Tennesee Warbler was still in Yell after a week in the same garden.
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