SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Icterine Warbler in garden at Grutness.

Subalpine Warbler sp. fem. in roses at Sumburgh Head.

🦭 Bearded Seal on beach north of B7096 at Graven, south of Sullom Voe.

Bee-eater near Loch of Watsness outflow, then flew off.

ISLANDS

Marsh Warbler at Skaw, Nightjar still at Brough, Isle of Whalsay.

Nightingale at Valyie, Norwick, Unst. 

Red-backed Shrike fem. again from road between Aith and Houbie, Isle of Fetlar.

Quails x 5, Icterine Warbler at Muckle Grind, Marsh Warbler at Harrier on Isle of Foula. 

 

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

 

From the car park by the cemetery at Ireland 

 

 

Fabulous sunny day here. At the Geosetter Burn, nothing found at all, no sign of any Crossbills or Common Rosefinch. Ireland – chilled and had early lunch. Was just heading south to try and see the Icterine Warbler in the Grutness Garden and the Subalpine Warbler at Sumburgh, when news of a Bee-eater came up. I've seen several Bee-eaters including the breeding ones in Norfolk, but how can you ever tire of seeing a Bee-eater! A second message came up that the Bee-eater had already departed, but I headed north anyway as you never know, it could have been relocated or I might have even re-found it (ha ha). Checked out Dale of Walls, Walls and then went on an exploration tour to places I hadn't been before including West Burrafirth, the ferry terminal for Papa Stour, the pier at Brindister etc. Its so fascinating what you stumble upon in Shetland – some fabulous houses with wonderful gardens and trees. I'm in love with the house at West Burrafirth, the garden looks amazing.

 

I messaged the finder Ashley Cooper who said he had been simply scanning from the last house at Watsness (Da Haa) when the Bee-eater came into view in his bins!!! "It was hunting insects and landing on fence wires near the outflow of Loch of Watsness". Ashley said that by the time he got his boots on to walk across the bog to try and and get some shots, the Bee-eater disappeared. Ashley also searched the same areas I did. 103 miles later I'm back home and getting up very, very early in the morning!