Shetland Sandwick birds

Ravens seem to be more confined to the western side of Shetland when we first start to come to Shetland back in  the late 1980's but now they are wide spread.

Around Quendale, which seems to be the strong hold, in winter you can see flocks of 100 birds and these seem to breed high up on the moors

They have been responsible for attacking lambs so the farmers are not keen on them

Snipe are always difficult to see and photograph and often they fly off before you can get onto them

Redshank numbers are high in Sandwick during winter with flocks of 100 possible especially around the Wart

Around 300-400 Golden Plover are often found around the Wart along with other waders and if you can find a spot to sit and wait in your car they slowly approach. Hopefully the Redshanks are not near by as they are a nervous bird. Sometime an American Golden Plover can be found in this flock

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Northern Bullfinch

There has been an influx of Northern Bullfinches this autumn and many staying in pairs

These Bullfinches are about 15% bigger than those down southg and lighter in colour

These are at Helendale and is a good spot as it has a mixure of trees and bushes with planty of seedheads which provide the food.

 

These has been a Sparrowhawk and i am glad these haven't become food items

Shetland swallow

Swallows seem to have had a good breeding season. Down at Sumburgh there must have been 40 odd with lots of young

This morning we have more than 20 over the field while in Lerwick i managed to see 6. While some of these will be migrants  a lot will be local birds

 

Twite

 Its always a joy to watch Twite and we have many in Shetland

a few days ago a flock of more than 100 came into the field in front of our house which had the grass cut providing feeding opportunities

The take over - Rose coloured Starling

This Rose Coloured Staling at Burra has been very territorial, chasing off Starling and House Sparrow that dare feed on his bird table

It could hear other birds coming in to take food at the bird table and would fly in to attack them

I was surprised to see it and the others feeding on sliced lemon