Migration trickle

It was good to see that 4 Two Barred Crossbills are still down at Clickimin. These birds tend to be quiet so you can easily walk past them.

 Family party of Whooper swan at Spiggie, they might be local breeders

As we set off last Saturday morning news came in that a Great Snipe had been flushed down at Dalsetter but had flown south. and up in Unst a Blyth Reed Warbler was seen . Things are picking up and as well arrived at Sumburgh Hotel a flock of Swallow (26) flew over while Greenland Wheatears (12)flittered about down the east side.

Greenland  Wheatear

This is a good number of Greenland Wheatears and on Friday there seemed a lot at Burra, I flushed 18 down one side road.

On the pool at Grutness, a Knot and Dunlin(5) fed down one of the channels but generally it was quiet as the terns and gulls have left their nesting area in the boulders.

 Knot

On the beach at Grutness- Turnstone (12), but on East Voe beach , Turnstone (84) Sanderling (5) Ringed Plover (6) Redshank (3) all feeding in the seaweed along the shore line

 Dunlin

 Turnstone

 Knot

 Dunlin

 Golden Plover - Virkie

 Knot

A good variety of waders gathered at Virkie, including Ringed Plover (97) Turnstone (45) Bar Tailed Godwit (2) Black Tailed Godwit (6) Curlew (10) Redshank (15) Dunlin(23) Golden Plover, Knot (12), Sanderling (6)

Bar Tailed Godwit

Yesterday the Crossbills seemed to have disappeared but a few good birds have started to move through with Barred warbler, Quail, Spotted Redshank, Common Rosefinch & Short Eared Owl

Migrants still arriving in Shetland

Migration continues but at a lesser pace with winds swinging around to the west then north. Birding in the south mainland over this last weekend produced a few migrants.

Common migrants turned up at Sumburgh Hotel and Grutness with Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler , Chiffchaff, Swallow and House Martin

This Lesser Whitethroat performed well in windy conditions, a bird that you would normally only hear down in England.

A few Willow Warbler flitting around the garden

Many Starlings with young now and adults busy collecting food

Grub up and a spider as well

#Shetland migrants, #shetland

Black & White

Still not many migrants around in the south Mainland, Unst however seems to be doing better with Lesser Yellowlegs, Buff Breasted Sandpiper and Bairds Sandpiper & a Yellow Breasted Bunting on Whalsay recently

Blackbird showing signs of moulting

Fulmar are always worth seeing especially when  dancing in the wind

These gales may bring some American birds over to Shetland, but no easterly winds in sight as yet