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

Waxwings

Waxwings arrived in Shetland about 10 days ago and there are still good numbers around especially in Lerwick

Normally Waxwings will feed on berries such as  Rowan or Pyracantha  but all berry plants are in short supply in Shetland

Many people instead put out apples which seem to attract the waxwings. I have also seen Waxwings take insects

These are the first Waxwings we have seen in Shetland since moving here 2.5 years ago, we even had one in our garden and a few flying over during the past few days

There has been the occasional one in June and July but most are seen in Shetland during October or November and again on their return north from the rest of the UK

Back in Sheffield we saw many including one year when we had about 2500. If the berries were still available they would even stay until late April.

Lerwick seems to have been a good place to see them with around 20 birds around the flower park and other at North Road. These photos were taken down at Hillwell where six birds seem to have made home

Numbers of Waxwings vary each year in Britain with hardly any the last couple of years. It all depends on whether there is a berry failure in Scandinavia

                                                                                                 A dispute

More photos at www.amazingshetland.co.uk