SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

King Eider 1w. fem off Gardie, Bressay, Lerwick.

Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta.

Icterine Warbler still at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.  

Pectoral Sandpiper again at by Sandsayre Pier, Leebitten, Sandwick.

 

ISLANDS

Red-spotted Bluethroat male still, Nightjar at Skibberhoull, Isle of Whalsay. 

Red-spotted Bluethroats x 2 (1 male), Blue-headed Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper at Out Skerries.

Icterine Warbler singing in cottage garden, Haroldswick, Unst.

 

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

 

SW winds again, mostly dull and cold and rain this evening and forecast heavy rain overnight.

 

I was in a low mood today and didn't go out until...... Julie Redpath found two Drake Mandarin ducks this evening, in the pull in area where tourists meet to see the Shetland ponies just before the Loch of Asta – this is 5 minutes from my house. I check this area marshy wet area regularly and did so last night as it looks good for wagtails eg a Citrine is what I'm hoping for eventually. When I arrived there was no one there and the Mandarins were feeding with three Mallards and a supporting cast of Lapwings + chicks, Curlew, Rock Doves and gulls. I positioned my car right next to the wire fence at the lowest point near the gate so that my camera would reach over the top rung of wire. Three other cars turned up, two stayed in the car and the third car didn't – as the people in the car got out of their car, the mandarins walked further away. All cars left and I was on my own and something spooked them (probably the unhappy Lapwings) and the Mandarins and Mallards all flew off over the road to a dyke in the valley, where they were now distant to view.

 

Jim N. turned up and I showed him where they were. I didn't realise for a while that Jim had a dog in his car who he told me was also called Jim! As many of you know I'm not a dog person, but this was an exceptionally nice and very sweet dog. Jim said to say "cuddle" and the dog will put his paw up, which he did! It was a long haired multi coloured type of sheepdog and I even gave it a hug. This dog reminded me of a lovely dog calle Sandy who belonged to the late Geoff Want who lived in Norwich, Norfolk – Geoff was a bird artist and part of the clan including RAR in the old days at Holme Bird Observatory. Anyway it was nice to chat to Jim who is always fun and pleasant company. Thanks to Julie for finding the Mandarins and getting me out of the house and to Jim and Jim!

 

Lucy is too hot in Norfolk (26 degrees) and Vivien and Ray are even hotter (30 degrees) in the Peak District, which is where they are currently in their narrowboat. Viven said all their fans are on and she had to have a cold shower to cool down. I'm fed up with the cold here which is 10 degrees – wearing my coat indoors as I refuse to turn the heating above 14 degrees in May and left it too late to light the fire this evening. Think I will do some gardening and potting up my plants tomorrow, go birding on Sunday and then its back to work on Monday. Enjoy the flamboyant Mandarin pictures!

DRAKE MANDARINS

Shetland pony field near Loch of Asta

Found by Julie Redpath

RBA Weekly Round-Up 15th to 21st May!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2026_20.aspx?s_id=982004223 

 

Thank you to the RBA Team for including my Pectoral Sandpiper and Red-spotted Bluethroat in their weekly round-up!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta.

Quail flew from rose bushes at lighthouse, Sumburgh Head.

Icterine Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Pied Flycatcher at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.

Red-backed Shrike by A970 south of Levenwick.

Red-backed Shrike male on fence by road to Papa Stour ferry, just north of Unifirth, NW of Twatt.

Red-backed Shrike still in garden at 9am, but no sign since at Bakkasetter. 

Red-spotted Bluethroat still in wet ditch on south side of s-shaped pool at Sumburgh Hotel.

 

ISLANDS

Todd's Canada Goose still at Gloup, Turtle Dove at Gutcher, Yell.

Nightjar briefly at Leagarth, Fetlar. 

Red-spotted Bluethroat male at Out Skerries. 

 

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

 

SW winds, lots of rain and fog later on in the afternoon.

 

Checked out the sunken garden in Scalloway and some areas at East Voe. At Wester Quarff I had 2 Swallows fly over – nothing else of note, but much warmer today. Explored Quarff and found a beach and a track leading to some very secluded houses with huge gardens right next to the sea, which I need to check out another time. I did find a couple of Siskins whilst exploring this area briefly.

 

Headed to Quendale Mill – as I got out of the car a Cuckoo flew up from the rhubarb under the small copse of trees and flew away along the track and landed briefly on a fence post, was duely mobbed by a Meadow Pipit, then flew off over the valley. My camera was in my bag as it was raining, so no time to get a photo. Paul H. phoned me as he needed Cuckoo for his 10 kilometer competition he was doing. I walked all the way up to the quarry and saw a few Swallows, House Martins, Meadow Pipits and Wheatears. Paul had joined me part way along the burn and then returned to the mill when he phoned me to say the Cuckoo had returned to the trees, so he got to see it which was good. I returned to my car and spent a good bit of time around the barns as there has to be a Turtle Dove due any moment! A Turtle Dove was found at Gutcher today. Lots of House Sparrows, Starlings and Rock Doves around the mill.

Red-spotted Bluethroat

Near the Sumburgh Hotel

 

 

Drove to Sumburgh Hotel and walked down the coast path and along to a stile. 11 people, most of whom was part of a tour group had just had fabulous views of the Red-spotted Bluethroat. I waited by a dry stone wall facing a water filled ditch. I was the only one here and I didn't have to wait too long before the flamboyant bluethroat arrived in the ditch to feed. A Wheatear was harrasing the bluethroat, which resulted in it flying very close to me a couple of times, so huge thanks to the Wheatear! I spent approximately an hour here and I was completely soaked and the camera needed to get dried out too, even though I had a waterproof cover over it. Made my way back to the car. Laid out all my gear on a towl on the passenger seat and then had my tea in the car.

Red-spotted Bluethroat

Near the Sumburgh Hotel

 

Drove to Bolts petrol pumps near the airport and spent the most money I have ever spent on fuel, it came to £60!!! Went to The Spiggie Hotel as Paul had had a Spotted Flycatcher there earlier, but it was too late in the day. Drove home in fog. Took ages to sort my gear out.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Pectoral Sandpiper still near Sandsayre Pier, Leebitten, Sandwick.

Red-backed Shrike in garden at Setter (10.45am, then again at 4.34pm in different garden) Bakkasetter.

Short-toed Lark (then flew north) at Levenwick.

Wood Sandpiper at Smalla Water, Grass Water, NE of Bridge of Walls.

Ring-necked Duck drk still at Tingwall Loch.

Bluethroat still in wet ditch on south side of s-shaped pool (no news all day until this evening at 5.36pm) at Sumburgh Hotel.

 

ISLANDS

Red-spotted Bluethroats x 2 (1 male) at Vadill Pool, Blue-headed Wagtail still on Out Skerries. 

Bluethroat male at Skibberhoull, Isle of Whalsay.

 

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

 

SE winds again, dull conditions and foggy in the afternoon. Spent ages birding around Scalloway, East Voe and Trondra and all I could find was a Woodpigeon at Trondra. Found a House Martin and 3 Swallows at Loch of Tingwall. Chiffchaff at Geosetter Burn and a Linnet at Maywick. No sign of the Bluethroat at Sumburgh first thing, but then news out later that it was still there at 5.36pm.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Tuesday 19th May

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Pectoral Sandpiper near Sandsayre Pier, Leebitten, Sandwick.

Bluethroat fem. in burn before quarry, Wood Sandpiper flew over at Quendale.

Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta. 

Bluethroat in wet ditch on south side of s-shaped pool at Sumburgh Hotel.

 

ISLANDS

Thrush Nightingale at Ham, Red-backed Shrike on south side of island, Isle of Foula.

Greenland Redpoll (possible) at Mid Yell, Yell.

Little Stint again on beach at Haroldswick, Unst. 

Bluethroat adult male at Vadill Pool, Blue-headed Wagtail on Out Skerries.

 

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

 

45mph SE winds, very cold and torrential rain mid afternoon and evening.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Hawfinch at Helendale House, Lerwick.

Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta.

Pectoral Sandpiper near Sandsayre Pier, Leebitten, Sandwick.

Wood Sandpiper at Loch of Hillwell.

Arctic Redpoll at Findlin Farm, Hillswick.

Icterine Warbler in garden (very elusive) at Springfield, Scousburgh.

 

ISLANDS

Little Stint on beach at Haroldswick, Unst.

Blue-headed Wagtail this evening on Out Skerries.

 

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

 

Stunning day, a balmy 12.5 degrees and SE winds! After Andy J. found a Spotted Flycatcher in Lerwick this morning, I decided this must be one here. I have had a Spot Fly in the tall trees opposite my garden before. I spent a long time searching my road and different areas of Scalloway but only found Siskins. I also checked out the areas where the Golden Oriole had been but found nothing other than a Blackbird and House Sparrows. Someone had found the first Cuckoo of the year at Kergord.

Sycamores in Ladysmith Road, Scalloway

 

Sitting in my front garden, Scalloway

Leebitten – Pectoral Sandpiper feeding on the shore

 

PECTORAL SANDPIPER

Sandsayre Pier, Leebitten, Sandwick
 

 

Headed to Leebitten where visiting birder Andy H. had found a cracking Pectoral Sandpiper feeding on the shore amongst the seaweed with Turnstones and one Purple Sandpiper. I sat with Hugh and Anne photographing this in the sunshine – as we sat still and in silence, the Pectoral Sandpiper walked right up to us and then a bit later it decided to sit in the seaweed to have a snooze until the Turnstones got it moving again! The entire scene was a wonderful spectacle with gulls bathing at the waters edge and the Mousa Ferry going back and forth with trips. I sat at the picnic table to have my lunch and then left and headed to Noness. I sat on the cliffs – the sea was glittering in the sunshine and the first Sea Thrift was out in flower. I video called Vivien who was doing her monthly visit to Lucy and showed them the view where I sitting, Lucy seemed impressed. A very small bee was on the pink thrift – I'm not good at bee ID, which I need to get better at. I suddenly felt a whoosh of air close over my head, a Bonxie had almost skimmed my head and headed over the clifftops – this reminded me of the Bonxies that come for you on Ward Hill on Fair Isle, which is a seriously scary experience. It was an idyllic spot to be enjoying the sunshine and there were lots of lambs in the field alongside the road.

Pink Sea Thrift on the cliffs at Noness

 

 

Walked along Swinister Burn and found 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Blackbirds. The sun had gone in and it all looked quite dull now. I watched a Wren with a feather in its beak head for a hole just under the riverbank, which I thought was very unusual. Seconds after this I heard a huge commotion of splashing water – a cocker spaniel off lead was charging all the way through and along the burn with owner shouting at it to come back and of course it didn't, no recall whatsoever. There was another dog owner with a dog off lead here too although that was better behaved overall. Swinister Burn has sadly got a poor reputation for dogs off lead here, which is why I don't go there very often.

 Swinister Burn, Sandwick

 

 

At The Orca Inn there were no birds at all. I was on route to walk my favourite Geosetter Burn when a message came up that a singing Icterine Warbler was in a garden at Scousburgh, so I naturally switched direction. It was a garden I was unfamiliar with, but found it and also found Anne's car so I knew I was in the right place, but couldn't see her anywhere. I walked all around the circumference of the garden (fields) and then found Anne who had seen the Icterine briefly. We stood for a long time at the entrance to the driveway of the garden and eventully the Icterine showed briefly for Anne, I saw a movement but couldn't get on it, so can't count it! There were some lovely Linnets here, a Blackbird and House Sparrows. It was freezing cold by the time we left. Drove home via the road over Mossy Hill that comes out on the main road by Levenwick – it was totally foggy up here and I had a job to see the road, which I hadn't expected! I was back home too late to think about lighting the fire and it was chilly in my house. Bird feeders all empty again! SE winds again tomorrow, but 45mph and rain!