Run continues

With easterly winds continuing more scarce birds arrived. A Blyth Reed Warbler turned up at Sumburgh farm then moved into the quarry while close by a Gt Grey Shrike and Little Bunting showed again close by at Grutness.

The Little Bunting was again seen in the paddock and in the garden at Grutness. Also in the garden Willow Warbler (2) Chiffchaff (2) Goldcrest, Lesser Whitethroat, Robin(2) Blackcap (2) Song Thrush and Pied Wagtail.

                                                                                                              Blackcap

                                                                                 Red Breasted Flycatcher

At Melby and Cunningsburgh a Rustic Bunting and Red Throated Pipit on Unst & Foula as well as  a Mega on Fetlar - an Upland Sandpiper. This will cause the birders a lot of heart ache turning up late on Saturday with a forecast of gales and heavy rain for a couple of days. catching three ferries is not going to be easy if it stays, most will be booked up very quickly

                                                                                                        Chiff Chaff

The Reed Warbler was doing its impersonation of a Blyth Reed Warbler at Sumburgh Farm after leading people a stray a few days ago posing as a Marsh Warbler

                                                                                              Lesser Whitethroat

Lots of common migrants around as well we caught up with a couple of Redstart in the first quarry, lot of Twite here as well.

                                                                                                                   Redstart

At Sumburgh Head it was quiet, the Black Redstart seemed to have disappeared.  Down in the Rosebushes a brief glimpse of a Grasshopper Warbler , Blackcap, Chaffinch and Robin(9) Song Thrush was a change from a few days ago

Three Kestrel suddenly arrived from the east and circled around before heading inland.

Back at home a Fieldfare was in the garden and a flock of  Turnstone flew over.

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More scare birds

As the month comes to an end the quality of birds has become better. Possibly 6 Little Bunting are now in the South Mainland and I finally got good view of one at Grutness which kept moving between a paddock and the garden.

I managed to get a few record photos, shooting into the light but better than nothing.

The Red breasted Flycatcher (possibly two) at the large quarry was very confining down to just a couple of feet away. A Spotted Flycatcher , Blackcap , Goldcrest, Siskin, Fieldfare and Robin join the RBF.

Up at Sumburgh head a flock of 47 Ruff were found feeding on a wet area but frequently flying up onto the moorland. A male Kestrel flew over and a reported Marsh Warbler turned out to be a Reed Warbler still scarce in Shetland.

A lot of people came and debated what it was

The Lapland Bunting must have been a fly over as none seem to have a clue where it was. There was now a Robin and a second Chaffinch joining the Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap & Goldcrest

A Peregrine was good to see near Bigton and two Grey Heron 10 miles apart seemed new in as well

 Other interesting birds are bluethroat, Black Throated Diver & Gt Grey Shrike

Getting Better

Things have started to pick up, more birders arrived and it was good to meet several people who I had meet for the last couple of years, including Robert and his wife from Leeds.

                                                                                Red Breasted Flycatcher

Also the number of migrants increased with strong winds from the east. I also saw Little Bunting twice but I have never managed to get a photo.

                                                                                        Spotted Flycatcher

An Icterine Warbler also put in an appearance up at Sumburgh Head but kept disappearing over the wall onto the cliffs

                                                                                               Garden Warbler

With the sun coming out so  did the flies and this in turn attracted the more common migrants which are always good to see. Although we are only talking about a few birds it is so good to see them close up. These views of Garden warbler are possibly the best I have had since coming to Shetland.

                                                                                                        Blackcap

                                                                                          Lesser Whitethroat

                                                                                                       Chaffinch

                                                                                                  Pied Wagtail

                                                                                                     Chiffchaff

                                                    Chiffchaff (a lot lighter than the one two above)

Autumn is one of the best times to come to Shetland not just for the birds but also the Aurora which has been very active so far (see more photos at shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk) and join us for regular updates at Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook