Another Shetland rarity- American Black Tern

 They just keep coming this time a Juv American Black Tern at Tingwall loch found the previous day by Paul Scalter and later identified by Phil Harris.

The small tern was bouncing about in the wind over the northern part of the loch watched by five of us. It was difficult keeping it in frame as it kept diving and then rising. 

It covered a large area moving down as far as the boating shed and across to the far side of the loch. It didn't come as close as the day before when it was photographed on rocks close by.

This is a first for Shetland  and at the same time a European Black tern was seen at Clickimin.

Shetland Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper and one Turntone

                                                              Purple Sandpiper

 

Lerwick Snow Bunting

Finally caught up with the snow buntings that have been -present in Lerwick for about a month. These have been feeding on seed put out by birders at the quarry above Clickimin.

The conditions were sunny but cold with ice and snow on the ground. At first the buntings didn't show, then a tractor came for a hay bale just as the snow buntings arrived, peering over the edge of a rock.

As usual for this species they were noisy and chattered until the tractor left then flew down to feed for a short time before taking off and flying off

Ten minutes later they were back and came to feed again for a short time then flew up to the highest point in the quarry.

The OM1-2 150-400mm was good at tracking using the settings previously showed. 

Lapland Bunting- Shetland

 Lapland Bunting , always nice to see and this one was very confiding

Shetland divers

Whooper swan with young at Spiggie, we normally have more Whoopers breeding than Mute swans

                                                                 Sanderling on the move

                                                                       Red Throated Divers

 

Shetland wader colours

Lots of flocks of Oystercatchers about but  few back on breeding grounds

In both areas i conduct the Breeding bird survey none were found and they would have normally been back by now.

Up at Quendale the other day i saw two flocks, 138 and 68 both feeding on ploughed land

These flying birds at Grutness seem to be the only ones on breeding grounds as far as i can tell

Turnstone flocks are gathering on the south end beaches, with Grutness 78, West Voe, 56, Sandsayre (33) Sanick (34)

Many in full breeding plumage , a few stay over June but normally further north in Unst. So far only a few Sanderling passing through