Shetland, hat trick of Rare birds

The sun was shinning, wind from the east and some good migrants arriving in Shetland. It nearly always happens that all the good birds arrive mid week and the trend continued this week

A large crowd looking at the Stone Curlew (for Shetland)

After the Firecrest, Two Crane, Three Subalpine warbler, Bluethroat, Black Kite, White Tailed Eagle and Buff Breasted Sandpiper I managed to catch up with three good birds

While the birds above were wide spread from Unst to Sumburgh these three all appeared in the south mainland

Quail: This bird called several times but was not seen. It arrived yesterday at Brow Loch in the marshy area. Not heard one before in Shetland so good to catch up with this one

Golden Oriole: Again arrived late Thursday with a couple of people getting photos. The day I caught up with it, it was still and sunny and visible straight away in a field about 100m away. It flew round the field landing close by on a fence and then disappeared for a short while.

Locating it back in the same field, it showed just outside a derelict croft before disappearing inside. It showed a short time before flying up towards some farm buildings then sat on the path for around 5mins but too far away for any photos.

Again it flew low and round the back of the croft before reappeared for a short while at the derelict croft, then onto the croft to the west into some trees.

I have seen Golden Oriole in Shetland before, twice at Kergord and also in Halligarth Unst, but this was the first male.

Another local birder said it was the first time he had seen one out in the open in Shetland, he had been here for over 20 years and is very experienced.

Stone Curlew: I never fail to be amazed how some birds are found, this one originally was seen down at Virkie but soon flew north. A different observer was passing through a large area of grassland when he flushed the Stone Curlew which flew off.

Word was out quickly and when I arrived 10 birders searched the area from a path, very difficult as although it could be considered flat, there was still lots of hollows for the bird to hide in. Also lots of similar coloured rabbits were scattered across the short grass.

Gaining a bit of height helped and the bird was relocated some distance away and it quickly made it way south, passing close to a Oystercatcher.

One local birder said he hadn't seen one in Shetland for around 30 years so a very rare bird here. This is only the 7th record for mainland Shetland.

#Shetland, #Shetlandrarebirds, #rarebirds, #Goldenoriole,#Stonecurlew, #Kergord.

Check out my other Shetland blogs and website

http://amazingshetland.co.uk
http://shetlanddream.blogspot.co.uk
http://shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
http://ww2preserved.blogspot.co.uk

Tengmalm Owl in Shetland

You may have noticed that a Tengmalm owl turned up in Shetland Tuesday, 19 February 2019 but was not seen today although it could well be present in deep cover

Hundred's of people have turned up from down south and have seen the owl. Some have caused problems with parking and staying until all hours. Some arriving around 5am  causing noise and why anyone would stop until after midnight it would be anyone guess.

But the truth was revealed recently when people were found to be using  high powered torches to find the bird among the trees during the night, (no need as it was visible most days during daylight hours) not just on one night but at least three. People who told them to stop were then verbally abused

The people who own the garden at Tumblin, Bixter, got frustrated with park outside the house, the noise and torch light and I cannot blame them. I know its only a minority that are causing problems, but I can see Shetland people starting to withhold information if this continues.

I have encountered problems at other sites, both in Shetland and down in England. Some are very aggressive and arrogant  making sure they see the bird no matter what the cost to others or the welfare of the bird - rant over.

I finally managed to see the bird on day 8 of its Shetland stay. It had moved a short distance down to Lea Gardens at Tresta roosting in the pines. On the first day  at its new location, it caught a Ringed Plover and ate it in a near by tree.

I didn't get the best view as it was mostly hidden, but I returned yesterday and had a lot better view in a different place in the gardens

With only about a dozen birders it was easier to get a viewing place. In the 1.5 hours I was present everyone behaved and kept to the owners wishes of keeping to the path and not venturing onto the borders where plants were just coming up.

It was good to talk  to the other birders including a group from Barnsley, who had talked to Russ Haywood a few days before ( left Shetland to return to Rotherham a while ago). Two had driven up from Southampton to Aberdeen then caught the ferry. They had the day in Shetland before returning on the ferry experiencing a rough crossing and then back down to Southampton with a brief stop.

Another Shetland birder who is on a long holiday in Sicily flew back for the day but failed to see the owl

The last Tengmalm owl appeared in Shetland 107 years ago in Unst, the bird was caught and promptly disappeared and may have been stuffed !, so this is very special bird. These Owls normally are found in Russia, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

If you are coming up to see the Owl just be aware that the garden will have no access after the 6 March for an extended period due to scheduled work and no birders will be allowed in

A collection box was put out and local and visiting birders have contributed a good amount for the MRI scanner appeal , so well done to everyone

A Snowy Owl was also present on Ronas Hill the other day

#Tengmalm Owl, #Shetland Rare birds, #Shetland, #rare Owl

Quarry

Last weekend was poor weather wise but very good for birds. Apart from the Pied Wheatear a female Common Scoter gave very close views at Scatness.

This is a Red listed species with only about 50 pairs breeding in the UK. Four passing Long Tailed ducks were good to see

Geese were very evident with Greenland Whitefront(6) flying over to land among other Geese at Scatness point. The flock  was disturbed  and took off, while the Whitefront flew north around 200 Barnacles circled round before landing in the same place, Greylag (15) did the same.

Down at Grutness one Pinkfoot fed in the horse paddock with at least 20 Meadow Pipit.

On the pond Turnstone (15) Dunlin(3) Redshank (6) and Teal(3) Mallard (4) and on the sea Eider (8) Shag (6) Gtbb (2) Herring Gull (4) and the beach held Sanderling (12) Ringed Plover (4)

Only a Robin in the wind swept garden, but moving to the first quarry Northern Wheatear (4) Twite (20) Starling (12) . In between the quarries Redwing (22) fed on the moorland area.

Entering the main quarry which offer a little protection from the wind a Woodcock took off and landed in the field at the bottom joining another flock of Redwing (30). It was now becoming very windy so only managed a few photos before the Woodcock took shelter behind a ridge. I tried to get a better view but it was keeping its head down and by this time my hat had blown off twice.

                                                                                                            Woodcock

In the quarry two Robin showed at the entrance, Chiffchaff (3) fed along one of the sheltered channels and these were joined briefly by Goldcrest (2) until the wind got hold of them and took them up and out towards the farm. A Yellow Browed Warbler landed on the grass then got blown out of the quarry

Several dark billed Blackbirds, first summer males seemed very nervous, at least Wren (5) showed, Blackcap(m/f) Twite (12) and Fieldfare (3) flew in as i went out.

News came in that around a dozen Waxwing had arrived, a Siberian Stonechat  briefly at Toab, new Red Flanked Bluetail at Kergord along with Olive Backed Pipit. Its a great Autumn for birds with less and less visiting birders now present. Despite the terrible weather on Sunday An Isabelline Wheatear turn up at Spiggie another very rare bird

https:// www.amazingshetland.co.uk