SHETLAND BIRD NEWS, PHOTOS, BIRDING, LIFE AND MORE! MY 14th YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2024!


Ring RARE BIRD ALERT with your sightings to: 01603 456789 or Hotline: 0207 0382820 or Text: 07520 634324
All Bird News & Megas via The Rare Bird Alert Website – Subscribe To RBA For Detailed News & Much More!

OVER ELEVEN MILLION VIEWS! If you would like to advertise here, please contact me at [pennyclarke@talktalk.net]

Monday 28 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Dusky Warbler in gardens at Beach Road, Levenwick.
American Pipit still by ruined croft at Clavel, Rerwick.
 
Little Auk, Sooty Shearwater, Blue Fulmar, Yellow-browed Warbler at Skaw, Yellow-browed Warbler at Norwick, Glaucous Gull at Uyeasound, Unst.
Black Redstart at Skaw, Whalsay.
Lapland Bunting at Cullivoe, Yell
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (form blythi) in garden at Mid Yell.
Black Redstart on Out Skerries.
 
 
4 degrees here this evening, glad I moved my non-frost hardy plants into the shed yesterday. Lit the fire this evening, very cosy, but I never get any jobs done, as I love watching the flames flicker. Changing over to my Winter tyres on Friday, not cheap to get this done though, but necessary I feel. I will eventually go to all weather tyres when the Summer and Winter tyres need changing. No more birding after work in the evenings, now the clocks have changed, but a small possibility of seeing something good before work, if its on route between Scalloway and Lerwick!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Sunday 27th October
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Dusky Warbler in gardens at Beach Road, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 3 at Levenwick.
American Wigeon ecl.drk at Loch of Hillwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Swinister, Sandwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff at Hoswick.
 
Lapland Bunting at Cullivoe, Yell.
Snow Buntings x 20 at Out Skerries.
 
 
It took me four hours to put a flat-pack 4 draw metal filing cabinet together. Not easy at all and nearly lost the plot doing it. Cleared the big tubs of tomato plants out of the shed and brought in my geraniums and other non-frost hardy plants for the Winter. Sleet forecast for next Friday!

Nothing unusual in the garden yet – the usual House Sparrows, Starlings, Collared Doves, Rock Doves, 1 Robin and 2 Blackbirds and also the Leucistic Sparrow. I'm surprised I haven't had any Bramblings or a Hawfinch yet. The last few leaves remain on my sycamore tree in the drive. A typical day here of rain, sun, rain, sun and so on!

After advice from the paint shop in Lerwick, I'm going to paint the front edges of my new bookcases, which involves lightly sanding with a fine sandpaper, then applying an undercoat of specialist paint and then a top coat of pure brillliant white. Its all set up and ready to start tomorrow night after work. By Friday I can then put everything in the office, which is very exciting!

Saturday 26 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Storm Petrel off Tesco, then flew south, Lerwick.
American Pipit by ruined croft at Clavel, Reawick.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff at Swinister, Sandwick.
 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 25th October
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Yellow-browed Warbler at Brakefield Road, Sandwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Hawfinch at Tresta.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Boddam.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff at Da Gairdins, Sand.
Olive-backed Pipit still at Clickimin Loch, Yellow-browed Warbler at Helendale, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Burn of Sound, Barred Warbler in garden at bottom of Hillcrest, Sound, Black Redstart at Nedersund Road at Sound, Barred Warbler at Peerie Oversund Park, Sound, Lerwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Easter Skeld, Reawick.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Gardins, Culswick.
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 on south side of Olas Voe, NE of Culswick.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 4, Siberian Chiffchaff at Bridge of Walls, NE of Walls.
Yellow-browed Warbler in garden, north of Loch Gruting, Staneydale, east of Walls.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Walls.
Black Redstart at Eswick.
Common Rosefinch in large garden at Turrifield, Siberian Chiffchaff at Sandness.
American Wigeon, Hawfinches x 2, Yellow-browed Warbler, Snow Bunting at Loch of Hillwell.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 5 flew over Bakkasetter.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Vementry.
Yellow-browed Warbler near Aith Voe.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Kergord.
White-beaked Dolphins x 8 offshore at Levenwick.
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Levenwick.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Geosetter Burn.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Maywick.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Ireland
 
Yellow-browed Warbler at Voehead, Isle of Bressay.
Bluethroat at Haroldswick, Glaucous Gull at Uyeasound, Snow Bunting at Saxa Vord, Yellow-browed Warbler at Northdale, Unst.
Barred Warbler, Snow Bunting on Out Skerries.
Hawfinch, Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (probable) in garden on Mid Yell.
 
 
A beautiful sunny and calm day here. I had an emergency optician's appointment at 9.10am this morning, after having a minor eye accident on Wednesday evening – I had just got out of my car to walk into a paint shop after work, when I pinged the elastic toggle from my coat into my right eyeball. The pain was extreme and I had to sit in the car for a while to recover. Sat with icepack on eye all evening, which felt very tender and sore, the next day at work it was okish, but became sore again late afternoon, went to optician's after work, but they couldn't see me until Friday morning. They suggested some eye drops to soothe the pain, which I purchased from them and they did help. At my appointment, they were very thorough and assured me that it wasn't serious, although they could see slight grazing on my cornea, it should heal in a few days at the most.
 
Headed to Clickimin Loch in Lerwick, to try and have a second view of my rainy, windy sighting of the OBP on Monday evening. I spent more than several hours here, trying to locate the Olive-backed Pipit! I found 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Robin, several Redwings on the grass at Anderson High School, Blackbirds, Starlings and several Wrens, besides the usual Hooded Crows. Bumped into two birders, Pete F. who had been looking for the OBP for the last 4 days, who felt sure he had it briefly on the corner in a grassy area by the edge of the trees by the loch, opposite the school and later a young man joined us too called Dan (who had just come off Fair Isle). Long story short, I was at the opposite end of the path, where I had seen it on Monday night, when Dan G. put news out of the OBP being in the same place that Pete thought he had seen it earlier. I speed walked to join them and of course it was gone again! I stood there for another hour and a half, patiently waiting, which was noted by amused passers by! I was just about to leave when Paul Harvey turned up, so I walked round with him for a while, presuming he would find it, then bumped into him a little later and he couldn't find it either! Gave up.
 
Went to Tesco to do a much needed food shop. Drove past Perrie Oversund Park (Barred Warbler found there a short while later!). Stopped on route home to check out Njugalswater Burn, SW of Bridge of Fitch and found nothing but sheep. Returned home to find the House Sparrows, Starlings and Collared Doves had stripped most of the feeders empty in under a day.
 
The last few days has been very difficult for Lucy and for Vivien and I, but today was the first day I heard Lucy talking to me fairly normally and quite calmly, which was good! She had walked to one of only two shops where she is living now, a butchers shop, which also sells a few other food items and purchased some milk, which she had ran out of until her next weekly food shop with staff tomorrow. In the evening a member of staff had gone to the fish n chip shop for her and she said the fish n chips were fantastic! Lucy's older musical friends, Judy and Jim had replied to her text she had sent to them to let them know she had moved, which she felt very relieved by as she had not heard from them a while. Judy and Jim have very, very kindly supported and visited Lucy on a fairly regular basis for many many years. I think today was Lucy's first okish day in her new flat!

Thursday 24 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Long-eared Owl, Yellow-browed Warbler at Frakkafield.
Olive-backed Pipit still at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Vidlin.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Islesburgh, Northmavine, Voe.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Loch of Spiggie.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Loch of Hillwell.
  
Snow Buntings x 5, Black Redstarts x 2 at Out Skerries.
 

Wednesday 23 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Hawfinch at Community Woodland, Brae.
Olive-backed Pipit still at Clickimin Loch, Yellow-browed Warbler at Burn of Sound, Yellow-browed Warbler, Lerwick.
Cackling Goose, Barnacle Geese x 13 at Loch of Spiggie
Siberian Chiffchaff at Voe.
American Wigeon still at Loch of Hillwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler at East Burrafirth, NE of Aith.
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Hoswick.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Siberian Chiffchaff at Swinister, Sandwick.
Snow Bunting at Dale of Walls.

Snow Buntings x 5, Black Redstart on Out Skerries.
 

Tuesday 22 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Snow Buntings x 2, Black Redstart at Boddam.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Voe, SW of North Collafirth.
Cackling Goose (probably Taverner's Cackling Goose) (form taverneri) at Loch of Spiggie, Bakkasetter, & Ringasta.
Olive-backed Pipit still at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
 
Yellow-browed Warbler at Voehead, Isle of Bressay.
Black Redstart on Out Skerries.
 

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

By Jon Dunn

Monday 21 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
American Wigeon ecl. drk still, Yellow-browed Warbler at Loch of Hillwell.
Golden Oriole in garden at east end of Ronas Voe, North Mavine.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Arisdale.
Olive-backed Pipit at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.
Great White Egre flew over The Kames, Sullom Voe.
 
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Voehead, Isle of Bressay.
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Norwick, Glaucous Gull at Uyeasound, Yellow-browed Warbler at Baltasound, Unst.
Black Redstart on Out Skerries.
Hawfinch at Hillend, Mid Yell.
 

I had just finished work and gone to the post office and was just about to drive home, when news came through on WhatsApp, of an Olive-backed Pipit found at Clickimin Loch! I was first on the scene. It was raining and dark skies. The three birders who had found the OBP were still there and one had a thermal imager – you realise how useful these are in this situation, with dire light and conditions. Initially I had rubbish flight views, then had a full view of the OBP perched on a branch, lifted camera up, pressed shutter, puff! Gone! Next view was the OBP skulking under a bush, amongst leaves for a few seconds and then vanished again. It was very mobile, which I guess it would be, when trying to find as much food as possible before nightfall. Only two more birders turned up, including Anne. A Reed Warbler was found with the imager, but I didn't see this. Thank you to the lovely birders who put the news out so quickly and added sparkle to the end of my working day, sadly no pictures though. I had alot of wet gear to sort out when I got home.

Lucy is in a very unhappy and angry mood when I phoned her this evening – she had to sign tenancy forms and said "I had to sign loads of things and don't know what they were". She was angry as staff who didn't know how to operate her washing machine/dryer initially, as it was owned by the previous tenant, who was completely independent. The staff have since googled and now know how it works, but Lucy got inpatient with them and told them to switch it off, as she was worried about her clothes shrinking and she reported to me that her clothes had been washed four times today. Lucy was so angry, that she refused to let staff help her cook her tea – she was eating a jam sandwich, when I phoned her. Vivien and I are both very worried, but nothing we can do about the situation. Nothing I said seemed to make her feel any better and I had the phone slammed down on me a few times.

My second door curtain arrived today, so I have two curtains up at my back door, which you may think is excessive, but the door hasn't been mended yet and has far too much air flying through the gaps. The two curtains have improved things no end.
 
Siberian Rubythroat after work in Lerwick? Yes please!

Sunday 20 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Yellow-browed Warbler at Loch Benstonin, South Nesting.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Burn of Sound, Lerwick.
American Wigeon ecl. drk still at Loch of Hilwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Otterswick.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Community Wood, Brae.
Sooty Shearwaters x 4 flew past Sumburgh Head.
 
Hawfinch at Mid Yell.
Dusky Warbler trapped and ringed at Skaw, Dusky Warbler at Brough, Whalsay.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Black Redstart at Feal, Fetlar. 
Greenland Redpoll at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.
 

With Storm Ashley fast approaching, I decided it was a good time to remove all items in the garden that could be whisked away! Screwed several cup hooks in the wooden ceiling joists in the shed and hung up all my hanging baskets, hanging glass coloured balls and removed several garden ornaments, all safely tucked away until next Spring. The storm hit earlier than forecast and its been raging winds and rain all afternoon. I didn't need to light the fire as the wind is south, so not that cold really. My stable door leaked, well it more than leaked, it poured water through the brass door plate key hole, which I hadn't noticed for a while. Thank goodness for duck tape, which I had to put on both sides of the keyhole and is now fixed.

Lucy seems to be okish. With a completely new situation to deal with, its going to be a long while before she feels settled, if ever to be honest. Because she is now in 'supported living', she has to buy all her own food. On Sunday's she has the option of buying a cooked meal for £5.00. which she opted for today and described her sausages, mash, broccoli and gravy as 'really lovely', which was really good to hear. She doesn't seem to want to unpack anything though. She is waiting for someone to show her how to use the washing machine, as she is now really behind with laundry, I'm sure this will happen asap. I ordered a clothes airer from Amazon for her today. Vivien is back with Ray on their narrow boat and is cream-crackered from both her trips a week apart to see and help Lucy.

With the clocks going back on Sunday 27th October, there will no light after work to twitch a Siberian Rubythroat, so let's hope one is found on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Back to work tomorrow!

Saturday 19 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at cemetery, Yellow-browed Warbler at Vidlin.
Great Grey Shrike at Quendale Mill.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Muckle Roe.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Snow Buntings x 7 at Boddam.
Hawfinch, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Community Wood, Brae.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Hamnavoe, Lunna.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Hoswick.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Ring Ouzel at Dale of Walls.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Siberian Chiffchaff at Mid Dale, Walls.
Pallas's Warbler in garden at Heylor Road, NNW of Urafirth.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2, Hen Harriers x 2 at Maywick.
Great Grey Shrike at plantation, Sullom.
Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler at Sullom Voe.
American Wigeon ecl.  drk at Loch of Hilwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Sumburgh Hotel.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Aith Ness, near Aith Voe.
Yellow-browed Warbler at East Burra.
Yellow-browed Warbler in sunken garden at Scalloway.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Arisdale.
Hawfinch at Dury, south of Laxo.
Yellow-browed Warbler in copse by power station at Lerwick.
   
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, Black Redstarts x 2 at Skaw, Whalsay.
Great Grey Shrike at Gardie, Firecrest along road to South Ham, Isle of Bressay.
Greenish Warbler at Valyie, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 4, Yellow-browed Warbler, Hawfinch at Norwick, Bluethroat, Siberian Chiffchaff at Haroldswick, Unst.  
Black Redstart at Gambligarth, Fetlar.
 

At Geosetter Burn I found 2 Goldcrests and a Blackbird. At Mossy Hill there were 10+ Redwings, nothing else of note apart from pot holes! Watched the American Wigeon (found by Hugh H.) distantly on Loch of Hillwell and also a Little Egret!

Just beyond the dam at Quendale Mill I found the Grey Grey Shrike, beheading a small bird that it had impaled on a barbed wire fence – a female Blackbird was perched opposite and stared intently at the shrike. There wasn't much left of the meal, so I couldn't work out what it was, but it looked like it had a ring on each leg.

Watched a Great Crested Grebe with a Slavonian Grebe at the south end of Spiggie Loch, distantly but in perfect light. Drove to Spiggie Beach and had a lovely walk as the sun was setting, casting pink shadows across the wet sands. A beautiful end to the day.

Pictures later!

Friday 18 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Hoopoe first thing this morning only at Boddam.
Great Grey Shrike at Quendale Mill.
White-winged Scoter ad. drk. from pier at Wadbister, SE of Girlsta. 
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Vidlin.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Brakefield Road, Sandwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff at Arisdale.
Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler at Muckle Roe.
Golden Oriole, Hawfinches x 2 at Community Wood, Brae.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Burn of Valayre, Voxter.
Yellow-browed Warbler at light house, Sumburgh Head.

Greenish Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2, Bluethroat at Haroldswick, Unst.
Black Redstart at Out Skerries.
 

I had an unexpected job completed today, my builder texted to say he had time to put my large Wayfair "Bücherregal Jena" white bookcases together – they have been sitting in my house since late September, as far too big and heavy for me to attempt. It took Alex and Peter over three hours to complete these, it did not look easy at all. They are both fixed to the wall and are built very strongly and good quality. There is only one issue and that is typical of Wayfair with their 'white' goods – the picture portrays that these bookcases as pure white, but in fact, they are a cream white and don't match (as intended) my pure brilliant white walls at all! Its way past the return period, so can't send them back and to be honest, the effort involved with that would be awful and then I would have to search again and take another risk of the next bookcases not being pure white, so I will live with it. By the time I have filled them up, I'm sure they will look fine.
My bookcases are cream versions of this!
 
 
I unboxed my flat pack four draw metal filing cabinet and laid this out on the new desks to put together on Sunday, when it will be pouring with rain and 60mph winds for most of the day. When this is done I can then finally move everything I need to into the office.
 
Vivien visited Lucy again today and walked with her to the garage shop, which is the only place Lucy can buy her chocolate etc – half way there, Lucy said she couldn't walk any further and turned back. Apparently its 0.8 miles each way. I don't mean to sound mean, but Lucy loves her chocolate and 'snacks' more than me, so I'm sure she will make it there one day! Mind you, she will be taken by car to do her food shopping regularly, so I'm sure she will add chocolate to her list.
 
My delivery of flowers to Lucy from Amazon arrived and they looked rubbish, when Vivien sent me a photo, very disappointing. Lucy was so shattered last night, I think she slept through the noise of the Air Source Heat Pump, according to Vivien. Lucy won't let anyone arrange things and unpack with her, does this mean she's not staying, who knows what she's thinking?! Staff are checking in on Lucy several times a day and helping her to do her meals, so that's brilliant. Let's hope Lucy accepts more help, when offered to her over the next few days and weeks.

Thursday 17 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Yellow-browed Warbler at Brakefield Road, Yellow-browed Warbler at Swinister Burn, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Setter, Sandwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Hawfinch at Wadbister, SSE of Girlsta.
Rose-coloured Starling on Saturday at Haldane Burgess Crescent, Lerwick.
Hawfinch at Helendale, Hawfinch at Lower Sound, Siberian Chiffchaff at Dales Voe, Yellow-browed Warbler behind Sound Hall, Lerwick.
Hoopoe, Great White Egret, Snow Buntings x 6 at Boddam.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Sumburgh Farm.
Siberian Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler at Sumburgh Hotel Carpark.
Yellow-browed Warbler at south end of Muckle Roe.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Burn of Valayre, Voxter.
Common Rosefinch, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff, Great White Egret at Maywick.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Hoswick.
Barred Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff at Grutness.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff at Wester Quarff.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Geosetter Burn.
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at cemetery plantation, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Hawfinches x 2 at Vidlin.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Gott, Tingwall.
Great Grey Shrike at Quendale Farm.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Levenwick.

Paddyfield Warbler at Leawart, Greenish Warbler, Little Bunting, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 3 at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Funzie, Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff in plantation at Feal, Fetlar.


Atrocious weather and rain pouring off the side of the guttering and like a torrent into one plant pot, which means it will probably die now, I should have remembered not to leave any pots in that particular spot, after the same thing happened in early Spring. The burn (which I think is called Burn of Shalders Ayre) was raging down Gallow Hill and under my house. Lots of flooding on roads in Shetland today.
 
I spent a while searching Scalloway for migrants, nothing found, but my neighbour Jimmey said he had had a couple of Grey Wagtails feeding on the road between our houses this morning! I did have a Robin in the garden along with the usual crew. Gulberwick only produced a couple of Blackbirds. News came through of a Hoopoe at everyone's favourite place to go birding, Boddam! I arrived very late and the light was fading fast. After bumping into Roger R. and then Paul H., the Hoopoe had flown off, presumably to roost somehere. Luckily I relocated it as I walked along a track between houses – it flew across me and landed on someone's guttering! Lucky me! I was shocked I managed to get a picture at 6.04pm, but it won't win any prizes! 😆
Hoopoe at Boddam – at dusk

 
Lucy Update
After several hours on buses, Vivien arrived at her hotel in King's Lynn and had to get another bus to visit Lucy in her new flat. Vivien said the flat looked really nice, but there is alot of stuff to sort and Lucy can't unpack until she buys some furniture to put everything away properly. Lucy understandably was exhausted. There is only one major thing wrong at the moment and I can't see that being rectified – Lucy said she didn't get much sleep last night, as all she could hear was what sounded like a very loud extractor fan throughout the night. Lucy was very stressed and unhappy about this tonight and wanted to know exactly what it was and where it was coming from. So, I rang the staff this evening and two people confirmed that it must be the Air Source Heat Pump, which is situated close to Lucy's flat. Apparently the tenant next to Lucy has 'learnt to live with it', well sadly Lucy won't at all. Lucy had a similar issue with a person's bathroom extractor fan in her last place and we heard about it nearly every single day. Her description was correct "sounded like a very loud extractor fan" Oh dear! This is such a shame and means Lucy won't be able to stay there if nothing can be done – she was very angry about this. After Googling, there are quieter models than some and they can have casing built around, to reduce the noise output.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 8th to 14th October!

By Chris Batty

Wednesday 16 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Sooty Shearwaters x 10 flew past Sumburgh Head.
Yellow-browed Warbler at cemetery plantation, Vidlin.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Hamnavoe, Lunna.
Red-breasted Flycatcher in garden at Sandgarth, north of Voe.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Hawfinch at Wadbister, north of north of Laxfirth.
Olive-backed Pipit in garden, then flew off at Loch of Hillwell.
Long-eared Owl at Cunningsburgh.
 
Bluethroat at Skaw, Whalsay.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Common Rosefinch at Otterswick, Yell.
Eastern Yellow Wagtail (probable) at Aith, Fetlar.


Atrocious weather, not cold really, just very strong winds and rain. Not many leaves to sweep up now! Checked the sunken garden in Scalloway and the Burn of Njugalswater, SW of Bridge of Fitch again in gales and rain – a few Redwings, nothing else found. Bought a funky patchwork design chair to sit next to the radiator in my kitchen, far more comfortable than a pine chair! Super comfortable upright, older person's chair (that's me!). Picked up my turquoise wool binded carpet from Shetland Wool Brokers, which was an off cut from my new carpet and I asked them to bind the edges with turquoise wool, so my office chair can sit on this and not ruin the main carpet – they had a job to make the 5-ply wool stitch the carpet edges and wanted to give it to me free, being as it was finished as perfect as they wanted it, but I insisted on paying for it – looks brilliant! Nipped to Tesco. Drove home. News came through of a American Robin found on North Rondaldsay late afternoon!
I've obviously been supporting Lucy today. She has moved into her new flat and she is exhausted. I can't believe the manager at her new abode, took her food shopping and got her to buy a microwave after moving in aswell, no wonder Lucy is tired! Lucy was very appreciative of Maureen's (Senior Manager) help, which sounded like it was for most of the day. The most important thing is that her mobile phone signal is working, phew! I had several phone calls this afternoon and evening, all calm and oddly chilled queries and advice sort from Lucy – I think she is too worn out to get cross, poor girl! She forgot to bring her TV aerial, so someone will pick that up for her. I have posted chocolates and a tin of nice biscuits to arrive tomorrow from Amazon and a bouquet of flowers and a vase from Vivien and I will arrive on Friday. This evening I spent ages typing up a regular Shopping List for Lucy and emailed it to the staff to print out for her. From the old care home, she has been given her bed, a bedside cabinet, wardrobe (already there), an armchair, a chest of draws and a kettle. She doesn't have a toaster or a pedal bin in the kitchen yet and I am sure there are many other things she will need to buy. We will see how the next few days goes. I actually feel a huge sense of relief that she has moved in and is safe. Vivien is very sweetly going over to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights, for the second week running and visiting Lucy, which will be a huge support for Lucy.

Tuesday 15 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
White-winged Scoter ad. drk. still at Girlsta, Wadbister, north of Laxfirth
Lesser Scaup (probable), Scaup at Loch of Vatster, 2 miles NNE of Tingwall.
Little Bunting in crop field, south of Toab.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at south end of Muckle Roe.
Snow Buntings x 5 at Boddam.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Levenwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Ronas Voe.
Long-eared Owl in lower quarry, Sooty Shearwater flew past Sumburgh Head.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Wester Quarff. 
 
Greenish Warbler, Bluethroat at Valyie, Little Bunting at Kirkaton, Norwick, Unst. 
Yellow-browed Warbler at Skaw, Whalsay.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff at Feal Plantation, Fetlar.


Checked out Burn of Njugalswater, SW of Bridge of Fitch (where the Arctic Warbler was) – a few Redwings and heard a Blackbird, that was it. Dropped something off in Lerwick and then headed south to Channerwick. There has been no news either way on the recent Bluethroat on the beach, so decided to have a look for it. It was good to be out and this is the first time I have walked to the actual beach at Channerwick – a really lovely spot and I can see why birds are found here with the scrub, old buildings and the burn trickling down to the beach. I was glad I put my wellies on, as it was quite soggy in places. Lovely to bump into Norfolk birder Mike Edgecombe, who had just popped over to Shetland this morning and had found a LEO at Sumburgh. Mike said he had also searched for the Bluethroat this morning, with no luck either.

Headed further south to see the fabulous Long-eared Owl in the first quarry at Sumburgh – it didn't move an inch all the time I was there and not once did I see his eyes move, he must have been very tired – it was as though he was frozen in time, I hope he survives. Checked out the second quarry and found a Robin, Song Thrush and a Wren. Parked up at Grutness Pier and went to look into the Grutness Garden – nothing found. Cruised home. Lucy moves to her new flat tomorrow – it will be a stressful day for her.

Long-eared Owl
Resting in the first quarry, leading up to Sumburgh Head

Monday 14 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Turtle Dove still in garden by Carnegie Hall, Sandwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler at south end of Muckle Roe.
White-winged Scoter ad. drk. still at Girlsta, Wadbister, north of Laxfirth.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Isbister.
Lesser Scaup (possible) at Loch of Vatster, 2 miles NNE of Tingwall.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Ronas Voe.
 
Bluethroat between Leawart and Valyie, Greenish Warbler still, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Valyie, Norwick, Glaucous Gull at Uyeasound, Unst.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Hamnavoe, Yell.
Common Rosefinch at Skaw, Whalsay.
Common Rosefinch, Glaucous Gull, Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff on Fetlar.


New birds in the garden this morning! A Robin (last seen in the Spring) and my first Wren in the garden. The Leucistic House Sparrow remains, with what seems like an ever increasing flock of House Sparrows and Starlings, along with Collared Doves and Rock Doves. The feeders need re-filling every other day!

Another extremely stressful day with Lucy, no energy to go into details. Raining more on than off all day. Did some chores. Popped into Lerwick, then had fish 'n' chips ("fish supper" here) for tea overlooking the harbour. Spent ages going through the Duette blind sample catalogue (I picked up today) to make final decision on colour for kitchen blinds inbetween angry phone calls from Lucy. Going birding tomorrow.

Sunday 13 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Yellow-browed Warbler at south end of Muckle Roe. 
Roe.
White-winged Scoter ad. drk. still (for 14th day) at Girlsta, Wadbister, north of Laxfirth. 
Siberian Chiffchaff, Barred Warbler at south end of Hoswick.
Snow Bunting at Sumburgh Farm.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Dale of Walls.
Grey Phalarope (probable) at The Sletts, Lerwick.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Hillswick.
Yellow-browed Warbler in plantation, Sullom.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Aith.
Bat sp. (possibly Parti-coloured Bat) on south side of Community Wood at Brae.
Bluethroat still at Channerwick.  
Hen Harrier ringtail at Loch of Spiggie.
 
Turkestan Lesser Whitethroat (probable) (form halimodendri) trapped and ringed at Hunters Wood, east of leisure centre, Yellow-browed Warbler, Mealy Redpolls x 7 at Baltsound, Paddyfield Warbler still in oats, Greenish Warbler in garden, Siberian Chiffchaff at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.
Snow Buntings x 8 at Skaw Taing, Whalsay.
Barred Warbler at Out Skerries.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Ring Ouzel, Siberian Chiffchaff on Fetlar.


Re-tuned the TV and its working better, but still stops and starts and goes into slowwwww motiion! Beautiful day here, but spent a long time doing cleaning and housework, as has some lovely guests coming to vist – Jacquie & Dave Bridges and their friend Graham. After tea and cakes, I showed them round my new abode – it was nice to have some visitors. In the evening I decided to do a WhatsApp call with Eddie M. – it was good to have a catch up. Thank you to those who have messaged and emailed with advice re Lucy, much appreciated.

Siberian Rubythroat on North Ronaldsay this evening, will we get one here? Fingers crossed!

Saturday 12 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
White-winged Scoter ad. drk. still (for 14th day) at Wadbister, north of Laxfirth. 
Cattle Egret still in field from road The Wart, Turtle Dove near Carnegie Hall, Sandwick.
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Wester Quarff.
Bluethroat in field along burn at Channerwick.
Snow Buntings x 6 in Twarri Field, Mossy Hill, Scousburgh.
Barred Warbler at South Pund, NE end in plantation, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at south end of Muckle Roe.
Pied Flycatcher in garden at Easter Quarff.
Pied Flycatcher at Veensgarth.
Red-breasted Flycatcher, Snow Buntings x 2 at Grutness.
Scaup at Sae Water, Voe.
Siberian Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler at Maywick.
 
Little Auk at Ham Voe, Isle of Foula.
Turkestan Lesser Whitethroat (probable) (form halimodendri) at Hunters Wood, east of leisure centre, Baltsound, Paddyfield Warbler still in oats, Greenish Warbler in garden, Yellow-browed Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Glaucous Gull at Haroldswick, Unst.
Snow Buntings x 10, Siberian Chiffchaff at Papa Stour.


I have been seriously affected by Lucy's forthcoming move, as has Vivien. Today was the first time I have got seriously upset since I have been here. Lucy leaves the place she has lived in for 27 years, next Wednesday. After speaking to Lucy's new Home Manager (who sounds extremely nice), she didn't realise how much this move is affecting Lucy's mental health. Vivien is back with Ray and shattered after helping Lucy pack and having to do two long bus journeys back to where their narrow boat is moored. Lucy is now surrounded by boxes and very stressed. After having meals provided for her over the last 27 years, I don't know how she will manage to plan, shop and cook for herself, I really don't. The only items in the flat are a fridge/freezer, built in oven and a wardrobe, she will have to purchase everything else. The other residents have already left, there is only Lucy and one other person to leave. I never expected this to happen.

On Friday, whilst in Lerwick, I noticed a sign in the window of The Tourist Information Centre saying all display items were for sale, ahead of their closure in November, which should never be happening, very very sad indeed, a service which is essential for visitors and locals and obviously the lovely staff are losing their jobs. I popped inside and was shocked to hear how cheap things were being sold off – I bought a very large wicker basket and a smaller one, which were top quality and would have cost a fortune to buy new! Also three wicker shopping baskets, one for me and one each for my sisters when I next visit and also a fabulous large dried plant display in a vase, which I have stood in a corner of my new office/studio and some clear perspex square display boxes, which can be used for storage – I'm glad I saw the notice in the window.

Today, whilst changing a light bulb in an antique glass ceiling lampshade in the living room, I hadn't realised how heavy the glass shade was and it crashed to the floor in a million pieces. I took me over an hour to pick up all the glass and then hoover all the shards and splinters of glass up! Will have to find and buy a new ceiling light now and pay an electrician to put it up, oh dear!

Finally finished the final layer of wood filler between skirting board and wall in the long corridor. Put together two flat packed white storage boxes to go in bathroom and then tried to mend the TV, which says "No Signal" – I failed, so no Strictly Come Dancing tonight. Maybe I will have to upgrade the rusty satellite dish? The front door is very leaky with drafts and needs sorting out, but not heard from my builder yet, so decided to buy a door curtain, in fact I have purchased two and also two extendable, telescopic curtain rods, which should make a difference to the chilly hall by the back door. Need to get a door curtain sorted out for the front stable door too. Adam from A1 Flooring came out yesterday and measured up my three kitchen windows for new blinds.
 
The Leucistic House Sparrow still around my garden with a large flock of House Sparrows, Starlings, Collared Doves and Rock Doves. Raining for most of the day here and tons of leaves have covered my garden again, so more sweeping tomorrow!

Friday 11 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Cattle Egret at Kirk, Sandwick.
Red-breasted Flycatcher at Anderlea, Wadbister, north of Laxfirth.
White-winged Scoter ad. drk. at Wadbister, north of Laxfirth. 
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Loch of Clickimin, Siberian Chiffchaff at Sound of Burn, Lerwick.
Red-breasted Flycatcher in plantation behind bakery, Pied Flycatcher between Lower Road and Hillside junction at Voe.
Red-breasted Flycatcher at Sandgarth, north of Voe.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff in gardens behind beach at Levenwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff at Gulberwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Barred Warbler at Muckle Roe.
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (form blythi) at visitor centre carpark (for 2nd day), Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 by road above Bay View House, Barred Warbler at Cliff Cottage at Hoswick.
Sooty Shearwater at Esha Ness.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Snow Buntings x 2 at Isbister.
Barred Warbler in garden at Sand Voe, north of North Roe.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Ocraquoy.
Pied Flycatcher at Easter Quarff.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Cruisdale, Sandness.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Brake junction, Quendale.
Olive-backed Pipit still on south side of plantation at Sullom.
Bluethroat still on beach at Channerwick.
Barred Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Brake, West Burra.
 
Paddyfield Warbler still in oats though elusive, Greenish Warbler in garden at Valyie, Siberian Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Yellow-browed Warbler at Uyeasound, Yellow-browed Warbler at Hillsgarth, Turkestan Lesser Whitethroat (probable) (form halimodendri) at Hunters Wood, east of leisure centre, Eastern Yellow Wagtail 1w. (possible) east of Clingera, SE of Baltasound, Little Bunting at Scraefield, Baliasta, Unst.
Red-backed Shrike 1w., Barred Warbler at Cullivoe Marina, Barred Warblers x 2, Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (form blythi), Yellow-browed Warber at Burravoe, Yell.
Black-throated Diver from ferry, Fetlar.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Out Skerries.