Red Flanked Bluetail in Sandwick

A Red Flanked Bluetail was found at Sandlodge in Sandwick , inside the walled garden which has lots of trees and bushes

This made the search for the Bluetail more difficult. Despite 1 1/2 hour search i had seen the bird three times but always fleetingly and deep in cover. Only once did it show near the fence but still down in cover. The last Bluetail up at North Roe was very showy, coming too close to focus and stood out in the open for long periods, a complete contrast to this one

Lots of Barnacle geese have passed through Shetland over the past couple of weeks no doubt heading down to the Solway firth

Other than the Bluetail , Blyth Reed warbler and the Gt White Egret most of the other rarer birds found shelter in the north isles.

A few Lesser Whitethroat were scattered around the south mainland, these at Quendale

Its always good to see Siskins and these were very obliging 

Still lots of Robins around and we have regular garden visits from two. Blackbirds too have increased in number and are now joined by Redwing and Fieldfare

A couple of redstart still showing at Sumburgh quarry, farm and head

Lots of very worn out Goldcrest flitting about and several people have picked these up exhausted

Red Flanked Bluetail

Before I even visited Shetland I had heard that a mythical bird, the Red Flanked Bluetail had been seen in the isles . For me this is one bird  I always wanted to see and I did see one at Sumburgh head in the fog back in 2014.

Then I got lucky with a chance to see another right up at the top end of the mainland at North Roe. It took us about an hour and 10  mins from Sandwick but on the way up the sun started to peek out and there was no wind after 5 days of gales.

The long winding road to North Roe was interesting, this was the first time we had ventured up to this spot. We pass a house with an aircraft in the garden (more at shetlanddream.blogspot.co.uk) and lots of interesting views.

Parking up I noticed that Gary Buchan was present along with another birder who said the bird had put in an appearance about 20 mins ago. Leaving Gary and me to look for the bird, the others left to try and find the Arctic Redpoll over at Ollaberry .

After about 5 mins I saw the bird near the house and then relocated it round the back in the paddock which allowed us to take a couple of photos. It then disappeared and was found in the small garden, twice it came onto the fence and on one occasion caught a Bluebottle.

I saw it several times again over an hour but now the bird was disappearing for longer spells, spending more time under the bushes.

It was a superb bird and looked far brighter than the Sumburgh bird and more confiding, a  worth while trip

The Red Flanked Bluetail is still there today and has been present since the 5 October.

Other birds this week included a Thrush Nightingale (Voe) Blyth Reed Warbler (Sandwick) 2 Cranes (at Brow) and a scattering of Arctic Redpoll

On the way back a Merlin shot over the road chasing a small bird and several flocks of geese could be seen in the distance.

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Good news for nature

Although Viking Energy supports might not think so, i was pleased that the government announced this week that it was unsure whether non- mainland onshore wind farms projects should be entitled to receive subsidies.

Bidding for a share of the pot of money in April next year will not benefit the two Shetland wind farm projects, Viking and Beaw on Yell as they will be unable to participate. The time lag will also see the interconnector cost rise yet again making it a less viable project.

I have seen costs between £600- £750 Million to connect Shetland with the Scottish mainland(250km at a depth of 100m)

The North Atlantic Energy Network Report( January 2016) indicates that there was 49 failures in submarine cables between 1990 - 2005. These are impossible to repair during the winter months so its not straight forward even if they did get the funds.

I would like to see a Shetland, unspoiled, the last wilderness in the UK and where there is no conflict between wildlife and the environment. (please look back at my other blogs on this subject)

We should promote Shetland as a tourist attraction and having talked to a number of visitors that's what they would want to see as well. Even those unable to get to Shetland are saying they would like at least one area without ugly wind turbines spoiling the landscape.

Just as everyone was thinking autumn migration was over, news of a Rufus Turtle Dove came in. This is the third Shetland record and the second in the last twelve months.

                                                   Scalloway Dove

The bird arrived at North Roe garden in the north mainland, it was in poor condition and taken into care being released the following day.

While this was the major talking point there was still good numbers of Waxwings throughout Shetland, kept here by people putting out apples, so Tesco will have done well. Around 300 other birds are in Scotland at present and moving south.

A few Glaucous gulls have also arrived while a few common migrants are still around, Robin, Blackcap, Goldcrest , Brambling, Water rail, Jack Snipe and even a few Gt Tits -rare up here.

                                                                                               Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine and Merlin have been seen in the south mainland recently, but as yet no Rough Legged Buzzard

Blackbird, Fieldfare and Redwing are still present in good numbers throughout Shetland

There is still time to order a canvas for Christmas , see www.amazingshetland.co.uk for details