Shetland Waders

 

Swallows

Swallow have not been breeding in Shetland for long, with around 45 pairs last time i read

Lots of Swallows were seen resting on Sumburgh hotel, may be 40  adults and young with many flying around catching insects

The day after i was at Grutness and 8 Swallows came onto nearby wires and started feeding young

They are very fast so i had to use 1/5000 second to capture the action

 

Shetland South end birds

While watching teh Hudsonian Godwit at Grutness there has been a build up of other waders

Yesterday 28 Dunlin, including lots of young, Turnstone (6) Redshank (3) Ringed Plover (4) Lapwing (2) Oystercatcher (6)

The good weather has extended the breeding season for many birds and even a few Arctic Terns are bringing in food for young. A lot arriving later than usual
 

                                        This Shag spent a good 5 mins trying to swallow this fish

Lo

Lots of Wheatear around and we have a family visiting our garden every day

Skylarks doing very well and these must be feeding a second brood

GTBB gulls are not welcome as two oystercatcher come in to attack one passing through

Linnet down at Sumburgh Farm, they may have extended their breeding area expanding from nearby Toab