Spring arrivals

 At last a few migrants filtering through, its always good to see some small birds

With the sun shinning we headed down to Grutness, resisting the temptation to got up to see the Puffins at sumburgh which arrived back earlier in the week 

We stopped off at a quiet Grutness, Mallard and Common Gull on the pool with displaying Lapwing at the back.

A flock of Meadow Pipit (30) flew up from near the WW2 fuel pipe and headed up to the paddock. Skylarks sang it was so good to hear. Starling decided to compete, i do like these Shetland starlings which are more vocal than the ones down south

A flock of 20 House sparrow flew round the garden which now had daffodills flowering next to snowdrops. 

Two Willow Warblers searched and found food before flying west along with a male Chaffinch.

As i made my way to the seaweed covered beach i spotted a Great Northern Diver still in winter plumage and then further out, a Red Throated Diver. A few Long Tailed duck, Black Guillemot and Shag also fed on the incoming tide.

A flock of 34 Turnstone found a sandy part to stand on, making them easier to see, A flock of others waders joined them, Sanderling, Ringed Plover (2) Redshank (6) and more Turnstone.

Oystercatchers kept flying over the beach from the ploughed field which also held Curlew(6) Rock Dove (36) and a couple of Blackbird which joined the small flock of 12 Twite.