SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

King Eider fem. at Quendale Bay.

Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 in garden at Brakefield Road, Sandwick.

Siberian Chiffchaff at Pullars Loch, Lerwick. 

 

ISLANDS 

No news.

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

I have been hanging paintings all weekend – its taking far longer than I had anticipated, but the measuring is all paying off as they are all lining up where they are supposed to and looking good. If my father is looking down, I would like to think he would be smiling, seeing his paintings re-framed and hung up on newly painted walls. I have hung all the RAR's on the corridor walls, as these are internal so won't be affected by sunlight or outside walls. My artworks and other bird paintings and landscapes are in the living and dining room. 😊

 

🎄 🎄 🎄

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

King Eider fem. at Quendale Bay.

Siberian Chiffchaff at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.

 

ISLANDS 

Iceland Gull at Loch of Littlester, Yell.

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

King Eider fem. at Quendale Bay.

Waxwings x 2 at Dalsetter, Boddam.

 

ISLANDS 

Red-necked Grebe at Westing, Unst. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Sunny day here. Did some necessary gardening which included pruning and sweeping up leaves. 60+ House Sparrows, Starlings, Collared Doves and Blackbirds in my garden including a male Blackbird feeding on an apple next to my feet, whilst I was pruning the fuschia bush. Northern Lights showing brilliantly in Shetland tonight.

 

From the Webcams:

RBA Weekly Round-Up 5th to 11th December!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2025_50.aspx 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

King Eider fem. at Quendale Bay.

Iceland Gull juv. at Mairs Pier, Lerwick.

 

ISLANDS 

Red-necked Grebe at Westing, Glaucous Gull ad. flew in off sea at Norwick, Unst. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Almost no wind today! I think there was some sunshine, but not really sure as it was very busy at work. Another female King Eider has been found in Quendale and a different bird to the one that was here in Scalloway.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

Glaucous Gull juv. at Loch of Spiggie.

 

ISLANDS 

Glaucous Gull, Red-necked Grebe at Westing, Unst. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Sunshine this morning, but the afternoon and this evening was wild! Last night and tonight, the first thing I did when I reached home was to walk round the house and garden with a torch to inspect for any damage – luckily there hasn't been any yet! First job inside the house is to relay and light the fire. My house warms up pretty quickly which is good. Apart from my office/studio on 18°C, I'm now keeping all the rest of my electric Rointe Radiators on 14°C and only turning them up to 17°C when I get home in the evenings and then switching back to 14°C just before I go to sleep. I can't have another bill like last month.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Tuesday 9th December

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MAINLAND

Siberian Chiffchaff in garden at Sandwick.

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

Blue Fulmar on beach at Scousburgh.

Northern Bullfinches x 2 (both males) at Anderson High School, Lerwick.

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Strong winds and heavy rain here.

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MAINLAND

Firecrest at top of Fogralea, Helendale, Lerwick.

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

Firecrest at Swinister Burn, Siberian Chiffchaff in garden at Sandwick. 

Siberian Chiffchaff at West Voe, Sumburgh.

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe, Scaup at Loch of Hillwell.

Firecrests x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.

American Wigeon ad.drk still east of Setter at Loch of Spiggie. 

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe, Scaup at Loch of Hillwell.

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Busy weekend so far. Finished all the Christmas decorations on Friday night. Yesterday I had the Warmworks Surveyor's appointment, which took around three hours. It was very interesting to find out that what I thought was spray foam insulation in my loft is in fact shredded paper!!! I was told this is what was used in the day – I don't know how I feel about that, but there we go!

 

Today was a brilliant day, apart from the weather which was strong winds and lashing rain. I picked up my pine door from Jewsons in September and have been waiting for Alex to fit this door in my dining room since then. All builders and tradesmen here are insanely busy. Alex arrived at 9.30am to fit my new door into the dining room, which involved building a frame too as there has never been a door here (as far as I know). Alex also created some holes with a circular saw in my dining room bookcases, to allow the TV wire to be hidden. The door took Alex far longer than he expected – nothing fits instantly in a old house! I had to leave him to finish the job when I went out to lunch.

 

This afternoon I went to "The Scalloway Good Companions" lunch for over 60's in the Cornerstone Cafe in Scalloway at 1pm, which was for Scalloway and Trondra residents. It was such a wonderful atmosphere, fabulous food which included main course (I had parsnip & cashew strudel), dessert (I choose trifle), had a ginger beer and there were mincepies, star shaped shortbread with tea or coffee. It was so joyous to meet some lovely folk. A gentleman called Brian sitting to my left lives in one of the houses that had the Siberian Thrush in he was telling me! Brian also told me he had the Blue-cheeked Bee eater that was at Asta Loch in 1997 perched on his washing line! Another gentleman was full of banter, which was very funny indeed, but not really appropriate to write the details on here, but thank you for making me chuckle!

 

I had no idea there was going be music as well. Some gifted youngsters played some jolly Christmas and Shetland tunes, a young lass playing a keyboard, violinists and a young man who was particularly brilliant playing his accordian –  it brought tears to my eyes, especially the violins. Everytime I hear a violin being played it makes me think of Lucy. For new readers of my blog, my sister Lucy is a violinist and attended the Royal College of Music, but because of her mental diagnosis throughout her life, she never got to fulfill her biggest dreams musically. The lady hosting the event was Sonia, who is a lady who lives in my road. Sonia was giving a few folk lifts home at the end, so I volunteered to take a couple back to their house in Berry Road – the gentleman was telling me he was 90 years old – there is no way he looked 90! It was a pleasure to take them home. It was so nice to meet some lovely people and huge thanks to the organisers and the "Good Companions" – as a newcomer to Scalloway I was made to feel very welcome. Thank also to the fabulous staff at the Cornerstone Cafe. I can't believe I will have been in Shetland three years in May and in January it will be two years since I bought my lovely little house here.

 

When I returned home Alex had left and the new door looks so good. It took me forever to clear up and put everything back on the shelves in the cupboards, then I nipped to the shop to buy some sandpaper. Tomorrow I need to lightly sand the door and get the first coat of woodstain on. I also have lots of paintings to hang still. Going for a local beach walk tomorrow whatever the weather is doing. Its forecast to be rain and sunshine and less windy. I will post some more Christmas decorations pictures another day.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Siberian Chiffchaff, Northern Bullfinch (male) in garden at Sandwick.

Siberian Chiffchaff at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick.

Red-necked Grebe, Scaup at Loch of Hillwell.

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

RBA Weekly Round-Up 28th November to 4th December!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2025_49.aspx?s_id=286030213 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Red-necked Grebe, Scaup at Loch of Hillwell.

Northern Bullfinches x 5 at Mulla, north of Voe.

King Eider female at East Voe, Scalloway.

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Dentist appointment today, which included a repair filling and a scale and polish. I used to be able to have hygiene work done without pain relief, but in recent years the nerve pain has been terrible, so now always have to have injections – this knocked me out for ages this evening. Still decorating the Christmas Tree – but it will be finished before I retire for the night.

 

🎄  🎄  🎄

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT female again at 9.30am in crop field near loch at Scousburgh.

Red-necked Grebe still at Loch of Hillwell.

King Eider female in bay north of Cutts, Scalloway.

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

I can't believe Ruby Wax was voted out, I thought she would be in the final – oh well its only a show at the end of the day, but she looked gutted to leave – love her sense of humour, she doesn't hold back!

 

Started decorating this evening – as a creative perfectionist, its taking far longer than I thought. This time last year the dining room was full of boxes and I didn't have the sideboards in the corridor, so much more to think about, but really enjoying it, now the house is finished. Just waiting for the dining room door to be fitted, which I hope can be done before Christmas 🤞

 

🎄  🎄  🎄

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT female again at 9.59am in crop field, but no further news since mid morning at Scousburgh.

Red-necked Grebe still at Loch of Hillwell.

 

ISLANDS 

Scaup at Kirk Loch, Yell. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

I have a confession to make, I've never been too bothered about watching Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, but the dynamics of this group are fascinating, really enjoying the show. I can't choose a winner, but my top people are Tom, Ruby, Aitch and Shona.

Had no energy to decorate the tree in the evenings this week so far, as crazy busy at work and too tired when I get home to do any decorating.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Little Auks x 122, Blue Fulmars x 3 flew past Sumburgh Head.

Red-necked Grebe still at Loch of Hillwell.

Glaucous Gull juv. at Scatness.

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT female trapped & ringed in crop field, Scousburgh.

Little Auk at Bay of Scousburgh. 

Siberian Chiffchaff at Hoswick.

Firecrests x 2 at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.

 

ISLANDS 

Scaup at Kirk Loch, Yell. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Funny how I mentioned Siberian Rubythroat yesterday! At least it wasn't a male, whilst I was hard at work, that would have been soul destroying! I have no idea what the weather has been doing, as Catherine and I were so busy, we hardly had time to speak, but I think it was raining on/off.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

King Eider fem/1w.drk still in harbour, Siberian Chiffchaff, Scalloway.

Northern Bullfinches x 2 (male+fem) at Mulla, Voe.

Lapland Bunting flew over Gremista, Glaucous Gull flew over Shetland Catch, Lerwick.

American Wigeon ad.drk still at Loch of Spiggie.

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Hillwell.

Northern Bullfinch at Weisdale. 

 

ISLANDS 

No news. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

King Eider fem. in Scalloway Harbour

 

Had fabulous close views of the flamboyantly orange and beautifully marked King Eider (fem.) in brilliant sunshine from the pier near the castle this morning. Only got a few photos though, as each time someone turned up and got out of the car, it swam out to the middle of the harbour – it would start to swim back, next car turns up and it retreated again. I could have sat there for hours waiting, but at the end of the day it wasn't a Siberian Rubythroat and I had jobs to do!

 

King Eider fem. in Scalloway Harbour

 

 

Returned home and really enjoyed measuring up and hanging some of my paintings whilst listening to Christmas Carols on Radio 3. Living room paintings all hung, but realise its going to take far longer than I thought to hang the majority of the paintings in the corridor and dining room. Put up the pre-lit Christmas tree but ran out of time to decorate it, so will do this after work tomorrow.

 

Half an hour ago, I decided to join the Postcode lottery! 🤞 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

King Eider fem/1w.drk still, Little Auk in harbour, but no sign in the afternoon, Scalloway.

 

ISLANDS 

Siberian Chiffchaff at Hillend, Mid Yell, Yell. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

The weather was the opposite to yesterday, sunshine all day, no wind at all and no rain, but chilly. Looked for the King Eider (fem.) but no sign this afternoon. Biggest count of Blackbirds in my garden late afternoon feeding on the two halves of apple I put out, 1 male and 4 females and my Robin, along with the usual Starlings, House Sparrows and Collared Doves.

 

Very busy weekend before I return to work on Monday. Yesterday I put up some pine garlands which I bought from "Heima" – artificial, but real cones. I have put these up with the fairy lights on the lowered ceiling section in the dining, it wasn't easy but they are up. Very pleased with my efforts and it reminds me of the pines at Holme – I have decided its staying up permanently, which is why I didn't choose the obvious Christmas themed ones, which included mistletoe and berries. I also purchased two gorgeous berry and glass battery lights from Heima which I have randomally placed along the two sideboards in the corridor – everything you buy from that shop is top quality. I have finally started putting all my paintings on the walls and tomorrow I want to get the main Christmas tree out of the shed and start and finish decorating by the end of the day! 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

King Eider fem/1w.drk still, Scalloway Harbour.

Little Auks x 744 flew past The Lookout, Sumburgh Head.

 

ISLANDS 

Glaucous Gull at Westing, Glaucous Gull juv. at Norwick, Unst.

Northern Bullfinches x 2 at Hillend, Mid Yell, Yell. 

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

Very windy overnight and throughout today with lots of rain. Not been very well at all over the last week, which is why I haven't posted anything. Had to cancel my Christmas hair appointment and the OT Christmas party. Not a good week and being unwell on your own isn't much fun. Its been nice to see a Robin daily in my front garden along with the usual Starlings, House Sparrows, Collared Doves and a couple of Blackbirds.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 21st to 27th November!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2025_48.aspx?s_id=149083757