Pectoral Sandpiper - Shetland

 I was down at the south end of Shetland, when the news broke of a Pectoral Sandpiper just a few minutes away from home.

As there was no migrants about i headed up to find a small group watching the Sandpiper feeding among seaweed.

It was feeding with Turnstone and Starlings and finding plenty of insects to keep it there for another day, even though the weather has changed again, back to gales.

All my previous sightings have been distant but this didn't seem too bothered coming close.

This is a scarce bird from America or Siberia, as we have had northerly winds if could well have come from the latter.

Shetland - terns v Skuas

 With the decline of the gt Skua due to bird flu a couple of years ago it has given the Arctic Skua a chance to recover.

This year i have seen more Arctic than Gt Skuas. Other birds will have benefitted as well, Puffin especially seems to have had a good breeding season with only the odd Gt Skua patrolling the cliffs at Sumburgh Head.

Arctic Tern numbers have been down this year and i recon that the Grutness colony may be only a quarter of what it was last year.

It has not helped that people still keep entering the colony during the breeding season despite the five signs on the style. Even saw  a big tent one day.

Arctic Skuas will be leaving some along with the terns, heading down to south Africa. 

Shetland colour

Plenty of colour around at Grutness yesterday

At least 3 Robins which were new in, these are migratory birds as we only have around 10 breeding pairs

                     Sad to see these colourful pieces of plastic `growing' out of the sand at Grutness

           2-3 Stonechats arrived at Grutness, lots around may be 12-14 birds at various locations

 

Shetland visible migration

 While looking for the Short Toed Lark at Scatness (which i didn't see) it was noted that there was 100's of Meadow Pipit and Skylark. Not the best thing to find when you are looking for one bird in a large area

These birds are feeding up ready to migrate when the weather turns.

While we dont have a lot of small birds, like down south these two are aways on view during the breeding season

It

It is especially good to see Skylarks which are still in good numbers in Shetland. In England they have declined and in a Farmland bird survey that the woodhouse Wildlife Group organised we found them mainly in stubble at this time of year

Shetland Bird Invasion

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.

Siskin

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

Chiffchaff

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.