Been down at Swinster a few times this week, just a couple of minutes away. This area is a gem, with a stream, moorland, grassland, crops, bushes, trees and farm with domestic ducks by the score.
Having heard a Marsh Warbler down near the picnic table, today 2 Icterine Warblers played cat & Fiddle in the small wooded area. Its so good to hear these but despite having some very brief views in the binoculars it was virtually impossible to grab any photos.
Back towards Hoswick/ Brakefield the two Sedge Warblers continued to sing continuously.
Two Pied Flycatcher and two Spotted Flycatcher kept flying up on to the fence posts at either end of the walk. Both Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff sang and a Blackcap also showed just at the edge of the woodland.
A couple of Swallows passed over and on the moorland Redshank, Lapwing and Curlew (all with two pairs) were joined by Skylark and Meadow pipit.
Raven, Wood pigeon, Collard Dove, Blackbird, Wren, Starling, House Sparrow, Greylag also present
I was back down in the afternoon, both sedge warblers had stopped singing despite the very sunny warm weather. A Pied Fly showed first in the small woodland then the Icterine Warbler started to sing and was seen three times briefly.
Down at the Orca hotel another Icterine Warbler showed very briefly but didn't sing, a Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Robin and Willow warbler were also present.
Down in Hoswick, a fourth Icterine Warbler sang from near Bayview garden, with Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler also singing, a Swallow flew by as well.
Yesterday finally got a photo of an Icterine Warbler, the 5th in three days a good number. Makes up in some ways of missing the Sardinian Warbler down at Sumburgh Hotel
The number of birders and migrants have increased with a Bee Eater still in Unst, WT Eagles in Unst and at the Kames, Bluethroats on Skerries (4) and Foula, Rustic Bunting, Rosefinch, Black Redstart
