Rare Bird Alert News
Iceland Gull, Slavonian Grebe at Loch of Spiggie.
American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Bufflehead drk still at Ham Voe, Isle of Foula.
Everything still looking like Narnia here. Extremely cold this evening.
Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Iceland Gull flew north over Boddam.
Glaucous Gull juv. at Pool of Virkie.
American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Little Auks x 2 flew past Sumburgh.
Bufflehead drk still at Da Mill Loch, Isle of Foula.
Great Shearwater, Sooty Shearwaters x 2 flew past Nousta Ness, Funzie, Fetlar.
Snow and ice remains. There were icicles hanging from my bird feeders this morning!
Monday, 18 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Great Shearwaters x 2, Sooty Shearwaters x 3, Little Auks x 2 flew past Sumburgh.
Bufflehead drk still at Ham Voe, Isle of Foula.
This morning was a white out. After scraping off a few inches of snow from my car, I started my journey to work extremely slowly. Luckily everyone else was being sensible too. It took me nearly an hour to get to work, when it normally take 15 mins max. A long queue of traffic along the A970 into Lerwick and mostly in first gear. On a positive note, the skies were truly stunning – if only I had been able to take some pictures of the dramatic colours of black, grey and white clouds intermingled with patches of blue skies and sunshine and all the hills sprinkled in snow. The roads had cleared a fair bit on the return journey this evening, but not funny in the dark and scary reversing uphill onto my drive, but got back safely.
I discovered that the pine floor boards gaps that I filled in my bedroom at the weekend, has been a complete waste of time. I was shocked to see it mixed with water and now like quick sand – oh well, I tried my best as an amateur, will have to seek advice from my builder this week.
The Tourist Information Centre closed its doors for the last time today and with this the three live webcams that view the Market Cross, Tourist Office and Esplanade!!! All very, very sad indeed.
Sunday, 17 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Bufflehead drk at Ham Voe, Isle of Foula.
Great Shearwaters x 65, Little Auk, Glaucous Gull, Sooty Shearwaters x 2, Blue Fulmars x 15, Snow Buntings x 3 at Skaw, Snow Buntings x 5, Glaucous Gull at Norwick, Unst.
Snow and sleet showers all day. Extreme condensation on all my windows, especially in bathroom and office/studio, will have to mop up daily. Lots of birds feeding in my garden, but nothing out of the ordinary yet. I did see my Leucistic House Sparrow again yesterday, which I was pleased about as hadn't seen it for a while. Feeling worried about travelling to work in the morning, even with my Winter tyres. The start of my journey will be the most scary part, as my drive is on a hill and the T-junction at the bottom of the hill is yards from the harbour! I could get the bus at 8.20am, but returning home, I have to wait for 50 mins + for the bus to pick me up and get home over an hour later than what I would in the car. I will do this if the weather is extreme, nice to have the option.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Saturday 16th November
Rare Bird Alert News
Glaucous Gulls x 2, Iceland Gull at Loch of Spigge.
Iceland Gull at Pool of Virkie.
Iceland Gull at Vats-Houll, Isle of Whalsay.
Siberian Chiffchatt at Norwick, Snow Bunting at Skaw, Unst.
Friday, 15 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Glaucous Gull at Scatness.
American Wigeon 1w. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Little Auk, Glaucous Gull flew past Sumburgh Head.
Got the jobs done I needed to get done today, which I'm very pleased about. Had a catch up on the phone with Lucy, who cooked her own meal for the first time last night and seemed to be ok, which is good! Phoned Eddie M. and Malcolm W. for a catch up. Will phone Pete S. tomorrow! Very windy today, 60mph plus (actually this is not very windy for Shetland!). The bird feeder poles are still standing, lets hope these last longer than the previous ones.
It was so lovely to see Jill and Rob today, who kindly came over to visit me this afternoon. Their new Skoda blue electric car is very, very posh, all kinds of funky lights, looked like a mobile disco! Cool to have two Skodas on the drive 💚 💙. They had not been here since I have done all my decorating, so showed them all the work I've done, which is actually nothing compared to what Jill has been doing in their house! Jill is one of the hardest working people, I think I have ever met. After they left, I phoned Vivien and Ray to see how they were, Vivien still doesn't sound very well. I can't normally hear much weather in my very sound proof house, but I can hear the wind tonight! 🌬
Thursday, 14 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
American Wigeon 1w. drk present for 14 days, not ad.drk) at Loch of Hillwell.
Great Shearwaters x 2, Little Auk, Blue Fulmar flew past Sumburgh Head.
Glaucous Gull at Loch of Spiggie.
Little Auk at Laxo.
Black Redstart on rocks just south of Fjara Cafe, Lerwick.
After a busy week at work, I didn't have much energy to do anything much this evening, but did manage to wash up and squeeze the rest of the white dinner service set into the dresser. Tomorrows jobs: I need to fill up some holes and cracks in floor boards where they don't meet the external wall by the window in my bedroom – I removed the mould last weekend that was in this area and hoping that filling all the gaps will solve the problem. I also need to OB1 my bathroom window seals and if that doesn't work I will need to get the double glazing replaced, as mopping up condensation every day on these windows – and yes, I have an extractor fan and open the windows.
58mph+ winds forecast for Friday and Saturday. Temperatures dropping over the weekend. Sunday looks the best day to go out. Monday temperatures drop to 3 degrees and sleet showers forecast for the week.
Wednesday, 13 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
American Wigeon ad. drk still at Loch of Hillwell.
I have started unpacking boxes to arrange stuff into the office/studio, I thought it would be fun, its not! I also discovered a large box of crockery I didn't know was amongst the boxes, I have to somehow squeeze the contents of this into the dresser in the kitchen – its like a jigsaw in there now! Its going to be an exhilarating weekend! 😑 😒 😂
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
American Wigeon ad. drk still at Loch of Hillwell.
Sooty Shearwaters x 10, Blue Fulmar flew past Sumburgh Head.
Hen Harrier flew over Loch of Spiggie. Great Shearwater at sea, off Funzie from boat, Fetlar.
Monday, 11 November 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIVIEN!
Happy Birthday Dearest Vivien!
💖 🤗 🎉 💝 🥳 🍫 💐 💞
Lots of Love Penny
x x x x x
Vivien and Ray are on a Winter mooring with their narrow boat and no post is allowed to be sent to them, so I managed to send presents via Amazon to an Amazon locker for Vivien to retrieve! Worked fantastically well! Here is one of the presents I bought for Vivien, which I knew would make both her and Ray chuckle! 😂 Poor Vivien has not had the best birthday, as she hasn't been and still isn't very well with a viral/cold infection, but she did birthday brunch with Ray, so still did something nice.
😂 😆 😉 😂 😆 😉 😂 😆 😉
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Lapland Bunting at Uyea, NW of North Roe.
Sooty Shearwater, Blue Fulmars x 2 flew past Sumburgh Head.
Ring-necked Duck fem. at Loch of Gards, Scatness.
American Wigeon ad. drk still at Loch of Hillwell.
Short-toed Lark still along road between Setter Marsh and West Spiggie, Loch of Spiggie.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Feal.
Hawfinch still at Setter, Sandwick.
White-billed Diver flew past Skaw, Whalsay.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Voehead, Isle of Bressay.
Lucy is cold, the heating system has not worked properly in her flat since she has moved in, so unfair. Sent an email to the managers this evening, with a list of other issues too. If I was super rich, didn't need to work and crazy, I would move Lucy in with me now, but not practical or sensible, however much I love my sister.
Sunday, 10 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
White-billed Diver flew south at 10am, Great
Shearwaters x 3, Sooty Shearwaters x 18, Little Auk flew past Sumburgh Head.
Firecrest still (but elusive) behind Dunrossness Primary School at Boddam.
Snow Buntings x 5 flew over Boddam Voe.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Law Lane, Lerwick.
Short-toed Lark still along road between Setter Marsh and West Spiggie, Loch of Spiggie.
Hawfinch at Setter, Sandwick.
I have been on a waiting list since August, to buy one of Kate's fabulous and very popular Croft House Planters. By appointment today I picked this up – couldn't resist choosing one with a turquoise door! I'm now on another waiting list to purchase two of the smaller ones, which will be "sometime next year"!
My "Greencroft" Crofthouse planter
I've messed up this weekend with birding big time. Anyway, without going into all the reasons why – I set the alarm for 6.30am this morning and then missed it completely. By the time I got to Sumburgh, the Great Shearwater party was over. There were five Snow Buntings on the roadside briefly, just before the carpark. From "The Look Out" I Saw Fulmars, Gannets, Eiders, Shags and lots of Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfares feeding on the grassy cliff top around the Look Out Post. Oh well, at least I got out of the house, always next weekend, try harder next time Penelope! The Look Out Post at Sumburgh is really cool and very well designed. It would be nice to have a door, to give you a bit more protection from the elements, but its pretty obvious why there isn't one! 🌬 It wouldn't even last a day here!
The Look Out Post at Sumburgh
Posher than the "Beach Hotel" at Cley! 😉
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Saturday 9th November
Rare Bird Alert News
Great
Shearwaters x 27, Sooty Shearwaters x 10 flew past Sumburgh Head.
Common Rosefinch, Iceland Gull at Isbister.
Great Shearwater flew past, Boddam.
Hawfinch behind Dunrossness Primary School at Boddam.
Hawfinch in garden at Kergord.
Snow Buntings x 150 at Esha Ness.
Snow Buntings x 3 at Grutness.
Hawfinch at Gorie, Isle of Bressay.
Friday, 8 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Great
Shearwaters x 25, Sooty Shearwaters x 9, Little Auk flew past Sumburgh Head.
Hawfinch at Toogs, West Burra.
Sooty Shearwater flew past Boddam.
Firecrest behind Dunrossness Primary School at Boddam.
Snow Buntings x 150 at Esha Ness.
Great
Shearwaters x 12 at sea off Fetlar.
Occupational Therapy Week!
It was very nice to be asked to write something on how I felt about my job as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. I did write much more than above (typical me!), but obviously space only allows so much, so I guess it needed to be shortened and made more concise! I was one of a few other team members who's thoughts have been published daily this week on the NHS Shetland Facebook page (which is for public viewing). It was good to have our service highlighted, as not everyone knows what an OT is. Here is the link if you would like to read more: 💙
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Thursday 7th November
Rare Bird Alert News
Great
Shearwaters x 26, Sooty Shearwater flew past Sumburgh Head.
Short-toed Lark still along road between Setter Marsh and West Spiggie, Loch of Spiggie.
Hawfinch at Swinister, Sandwick.
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat, probable (form blythi) at north end of Hillside Road, Sandwick.
Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler at Voe, west of Ollaberry, North Mavine.
Great
Shearwaters x 3 flew north past Skaw, Black Redstart at Norwick, Unst.
Glaucous Gull at Gutcher, Yell.
Great Shearwaters x 3, Glaucous Gull off Isle of Noss.
Last night I managed to order presents off Amazon for Vivien's birthday on Monday and get them delivered to an Amazon locker, close to where Vivien and Ray have the boat moored for the Winter months – you are not allowed to send post to where they are staying. It took quite a while to sort, as many of the lockers in the area would not accept delivery for various reasons.
Studio/office bookshelves painted with the last coat of paint and finally looking fabulous with glossy brilliant white front edges. I can now finally start moving loads of things into the office!
My tyres are being swopped to Winter tyres tomorrow morning, there is no fixed appointment time – but I have to drop the car off at 8am, so will then walk home and wait for a telephone call to say they are ready. Hoping very much to see a Great Shearwater this weekend, fingers crossed!
Wednesday, 6 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Great
Shearwaters x 12, Blue Fulmar, Little Auk flew past Sumburgh Head.
Waxwings x 3 briefly at north end of Gilbertson Road, Lerwick.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff at Hoswick.
American Wigeon ad. drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Great
Shearwaters x 5 flew past Sumburgh Head.
American Wigeon ad drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Great Shearwaters x 5, Sooty Shearwaters x 30 from boat, east of Mousa.
Short-toed Lark still at Loch of Spiggie.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Bunting at Pool of Virkie.White-winged Scoter off south end of Linga in Bluemull Sound, between Yell and Unst.
The Dulux "Once" paint dried horribly – sanded it down lightly this evening and going over with normal gloss brilliant white tomorrow night for a smoother slicker finish!
Monday, 4 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Great Shearwaters x 3, Little Auks x 14, Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Blue Fulmar x 10, Storm Petrel flew past Sumburgh Head.
Great Shearwaters x 3, Sooty Shearwaters x 20 from boat, east of Mousa.
Short-toed Lark still at Loch of Spiggie.
Black Redstart on sea wall at Brewick Road, Lerwick.
Black Redstart at Pool of Virkie.
Bluethroat, Black Redstart on Isle of Foula.
Finally got round to painting the Dulux 'Once' Pure Brilliant White satinwood paint (over an undercoat of special paint), on the front edges of the 'cream' bookcases in office/studio this evening after work. I wanted the normal satinwood but couldn't get it – this paint was drippy and I didn't like the consistancy of this at all, won't be buying that again. I can finally start unpacking boxes and moving loads of stuff into that room tomorrow night!
Chosen an unsensible colour for the new living room carpet, Manx Tomkinson Berber – Elder, when I have a wood burning stove, but its the only colour that will go with my Laura Ashley wallpaper, so not much choice really. My 'Shetland' carpet in the corridor and office/studio would have also worked in the living room, as it matched the wallpaper very well, but then there would have been far too much of a yellow theme going on. The colour I have chosen is boringly neutral and will go with anything, should I wish to change the wallpaper at a later date, but not planning to! I won't be able to afford to change the carpet again, so need to play safe. I will buy a rug to put by the hearth to protect the main carpet. Booked a fitting date of 6th December for the carpet, which means I will have to empty the entire living room (including my father's precious bookcase), all good fun, not! I have decided I don't like pine wood floors, they are horrible to hoover and cold, I wanted the living room more cosy. I will have to leave the dining room as it is, as hardly any funds left, but one day I will get that room carpeted too.
I doubt this will happen before Christmas, but I'm also going to try and order my bookcases for living room and display, dresser type furniture for dining room. The armchairs, sofa and sofa bed will not happen until the new year now, but I least I have my old two seater sofa to sit on. I really hope this does happen, as it will be nice to sit at the dining table (surrounded by and boxes stacked on top of currently) for the first time and on Christmas day!
The insulating of the outside walls in my bedroom will have to be saved up for next year, my temporary solution to the mouldy, wet chimney breast is polystyrene between that and my bed! Cheap solution and working brilliantly so far! 😀
I have never seen a Great Shearwater, they only appeared on 'work days' in Norfolk and seems to be same pattern here too! One day, maybe!
Sunday, 3 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Snow Buntings x 4 at North Road, Boddam.
Short-toed Lark at Loch of Spiggie.
Hawfinch at Helendale, Lerwick.
Snow Buntings x 12 at Moul of Eswick.
White-billed Diver off Tressa Ness, Fetlar.
Great Shearwater at sea, 3 mls east of Isle of Foula.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Baltasound, Unst.
Hawfinch on Out Skerries.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Cullivoe Marina, Yell.
Saturday, 2 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Little Auk on supply vessal at sea at night.
Orcas x 5 in Lerwick Harbour.
Huge numbers of Starlings, House Sparrows, the Leucistic House Sparrow, Blackbirds, Rock Doves and Collared Doves squabbling over the feeders in my garden. Raining all day.
In Memory On Your Birthday
Happy Birthday to My Dearest Father
You would have been 98 today – 2nd November
Its going to be a busy few months, scanning your lifetime's work of photos and slides into digital format, it may take several Winter seasons to complete, but I will get it done.
Thinking of you today and always
Forever in my heart
Always in my thoughts
Always with you
Until we meet again
💔 💔 💔
Friday, 1 November 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Sooty Shearwater, Snow Bunting at Sumburgh Head.
Rose-coloured Starling still at 28 Haldane Burgess Crescent, Lerwick.
American Wigeon still at Loch of Hillwell.
Snow Buntings x 5 at Scousburgh.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Quendale.
Snow Buntings x 9 at Grutness.
Lapland Bunting at Cullivoe, Yell.
Black Redstart at Skaw, Whalsay.
The sun was out quite a bit today, which was a pleasant change from the last few days of rain. Lots of Blackbirds, Redwings, Fieldfares and Starlings feeding on Gallow Hill behind my garden and drinking from the burn trickling down the hill – a wonderful scene along with the sheep. Its fantastic that I don't I have to leave the house to see some good birds. I couldn't do that in King's Lynn! Topped up all the bird feeders and cleaned the bird baths out. Since most of the trees have shed their leaves, I now have a better view of Scalloway Harbour. Very chilly here, but nice and warm in my house.
Lucy seems to be settling in and was playing her violin today, which I was very pleased to hear. She's not good at unpacking though and has not unboxed any of the items I have sent her via Amazon apart from a tin of biscuits! Yesterday she managed to walk to the garage shop and back which is 0.8 miles each way, which I couldn't believe she achieved. So, touch wood, things are going better than they were.
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