Oystercatcher

Oystercatchers seem to have a good breeding season and i have seen several pairs with young in the south mainland. These are known as Shalders in Shetland

Young birds tend to stay close to a parent and are taught how to catch worms

An intruder is chased away, the threat from Skuas and Gulls cannot be under estimated

Lapwings have not been so lucky with a large number robbed, Hoddie Crows been the main culprits

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Spring continues

Although spring migration may nearly have come to an end, it is still an important time for the breeding birds in Shetland. With only around 75 regular species breeding here everyone becomes important.

                                       Male Wheatear, a stunning bird that is fairly common on the moorland

Skylark is reasonably common here unlike England where it has become very uncommon. Its great to hear them sing from the front door

Starling having one of its 5 a day, a very common bird in Shetland and very noisy

Blackbird is the commonest and only breeding thrush, apart from the odd Robin at Kergord

Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff still passing through the islands. More rarer warblers have been present these as few days with Blyth Reed Warbler at Sullom and Icterine Warbler at Sandwick and Scatness

It was good to see a party of 12 House martin with 6 Swallow at Sumburgh Head. Also here a female Bluethroat, no photos but four reasonable views among the roses.

6 Long Tailed Duck at Scatness (5 above), more common spring and summer visitor 15 years ago

Still hoping for late Spring migrants with Marsh warbler, Red Backed Shrike and possibly Bee eater.

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Gt Northern Diver Close encounters

On my last blog i discussed a close encounter with a male Scaup, while photographing this duck a superb Gt Northern Diver surfaced very close by

                                This is one of my favourite birds either in winter or summer plumage.

On one occasion it surfaced with a small crab, but this caused so many problems. The crab was very lively and just didn't want to be swallowed.

As the diver shook its head to get a better position on the crab it flew out of its beak much to the divers disgust

It quickly got hold of it before finishing it off.

Although I have seen many Gt Northern Divers the last very close encounter was in East Voe Scalloway a few years ago. This encounter was made even better with the great weather. Gt Northern Divers can be seen around the coast any time of the year. West Voe at Sumburgh is a place where large numbers gather before heading to their northern breeding grounds.

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Scaup

Shetland offers many superb photo opportunities and Saturday presented a close up encounter with a male Scaup at West Voe Sumburgh on the best day of the year, with little wind, 20 degrees and sun all the way.

It was easily located, feeding with a group of 16 Eider Duck close to the shore. A slow approach made sure that no birds were spooked

With Eider coming up onto the stony shoreline the Scaup seemed very relaxed and swam just off shore for all the time i was present

A number of Gull also fed close by, 12 Common Gull, 6 Herring Gull and this Gt Black Back which was dive bombed several times

Also in the bay, Razorbill (12) Common Guillemot (4) Shag (6) Mallard (4) Velvet Scoter (male) Arctic Tern (12) while a few swallow flew over and Skylark and Meadow Pipit sang away.

Next post another close encounter

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