Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Brow.
ISLANDS
No news.
Cold here and no fall of Spring migrants yet!
Thursday, 7 May 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Wednesday 6th May
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Brow.
ISLANDS
American Wigeon drk at Papil Water, Fetlar.
Black Tern flew north over campsite at Uyeasound, Smew fem. at Loch of Belmont just west of Belmont, Unst.
Sleet, snow and 1.5 degrees this morning on the way to work and then 9 degrees and sunshine later! Just heard some good news this evening, that "Da Moors Cafe" will be opening at the former Mackenzies Cafe in Cunningsburgh.
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Brow.
Wood Sandpiper at Papil Loch, West Burra.
Pied Flycatcher male in garden at Boddam.
ISLANDS
American Wigeon drk at Houbie Mires, Fetlar.
Wood Sandpiper flew north at Halligarth, ENE of Baltasound, Unst.
5 Siskins and Robin still in my garden this evening and a Hedgehog scurrying around under the bird feeders.
Monday, 4 May 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Brow.
ISLANDS
American Wigeon drk at Houbie Mires, Fetlar.
2
Siskins and 3 Goldfinches still in my garden this evening.
Sunday, 3 May 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Blue-headed Wagtail in ploughed field above Setter at Loch of Spiggie.
Ring-necked Duck drk at south end of Loch of Brow.
ISLANDS
American Wigeon drk at Houbie Mires, Fetlar.
Ring-billed Gull at Booths Voe, Isle of Noss.
2
Siskins and 3 Goldfinches in my garden again this morning. I had loads of jobs to do in the house, but went birding instead. Very chilly here with NW winds, no rain until this evening though.
Checked out Njugalswater Burn at Bridge of Fitch, which is the first time I have visited since last Autumn – nothing here at all. Went to Wick House area at Gulberwick and found nothing apart from a Wren singing and cute lambs skipping about amongst the daffodils.
The track and part of the garden at Wick House, Gulberwick
Headed to Loch of Spiggie. I know that wagtails don't hang about usually, but I had to hope that Paul H's Blue-headed Wagtail was still around – it wasn't, after searching the entire ploughed field it was seen in and one behind that high up on the hill. I love all the wagtail family, it would have been fabulous to see this, but that's the way it goes. The light was beautiful over the loch. There were a brood of Mallard ducklings which was lovely to see, hope they survive! Black-headed Gulls, Redshanks, Ringed Plovers, Lapwings, Tufted Ducks and a pair of Mute Swans were seen here.
Lambs at Loch of Spiggie
Drove around Boddam Voe and there were lots of birds on the voe including Eiders, Redshanks, Turnstones, Oystercatchers and Shelducks. Couldn't find any passerines around Boddam. Stopped in the layby just before Cunningsburgh to finish the other half of my sandwich and had a coffee and then drove home. Spent ages cleaning the bird baths and bird feeders – raining now.
Saturday, 2 May 2026
Three Year Anniversary!
Da Blade, Heylor, Ronas Voe
I moved to Shetland three years ago today!
Can't quite believe its been that long, I've spent a lot of that time doing DIY. I've seen some fantastic birds since I've been here and feel very lucky, but there have been several I have missed because of being at work – not much I can do about that! It seems that most of the birders here have retired or in a role/position where they can just go birding any time! I don't think I will ever be able to afford to retire.
There are advantages and disadvantages to wherever you live, but overall I much prefer living here to Norfolk and I'm pleased I had the guts to make the move here. Of course there are things I miss, number one being my sisters (although Vivien has also left the county and on a permanent narrowboat cruise with Ray) and yes I do miss some of the habitat in Norfolk, there are far more trees for a start and all the lovely Norfolk birders whom I have known for many many years, although its fabulous to see several of them in the Spring and Autumn here. The beaches in Shetland and the colour of the turquoise seas are on another level – there is no beach in Norfolk that comes close.
My house has had a lot of issues and still has and I have run out of funds, but its quirky and I love it and the view over Scalloway harbour is stunning and being surrounded by mature trees is wonderful. I need a French drain around the house, lead pipe needs replacing, the house and exterior garden walls and railings need painting and all the windows need replacing – perhaps I should start up a Go Fund me page! I have some lovely neighbours in my road which is nice, although I have only met a few of them.
The most difficult thing is making new friends here, which hasn't really happened – I feel this is far more difficult when you are single and older! I love my job at the hospital very much indeed, so my social fix is my job and I meet so many lovely people in my work and its very fulfilling. I'm not too bothered by the extreme weather here, but if I'm honest the rain does get to me at times. The wind and cold doesn't phase me, but its not fun walking in the rain. A cold day with sun is my perfect day wherever I live and the light here is truly spectacular. The cakes and bakes here are far too good in all the shops and the cake fridges and that's why I had put on a ton of weight, but working on that currently and have lost my first stone so far. I love seeing all the cruise ships arrive in Lerwick in the Spring and Summer months, I find it fascinating! I love the fact that nearly every dog is on a lead, so no issues with angry canines so far. I love seeing all the sheep, ponies and cows and there are some really beautiful cats here, which reminds me – if I do get really lonely, I will be getting cats! Will I be staying here? 100% YES! 😊
* * * * *
I was up late last night to sort some things out. My Apple Mac has suddenly become insanely slow and this was because the hard drive was almost full, so had to move a ton of photos off onto an external hard drive. Got up this morning, washed hair and made diet food for the day. Then sat leisurely eating my porridge with pear and cinnamon whilst watching 3 Goldfinches and 3 Siskins on the feeders.
Made my way to Kergord to see the Common Crane that arrived yesterday. I made the fatal mistake of not getting there soon enough. I presumed (one should never presume!) that it would stay happily feeding in its favoured field for a good few hours, if not all day at the very least. I was under 5 minutes away when someone put a message out that it had flown! I found out later that it was disturbed because of loud and raised voices at the roadside. Field craft is something that several birder/photographers need to brush up on, not just here – everywhere! Keeping voices very low if you have to talk, but silent is preferable. Not slamming car doors, turn phones on silent, be considerate of others birders around you, do not walk in front of someone and be considerate for others who have not arrived on site yet. Few tips from the RSPB here for us all! I have seen a crane here once before when I visited, so not the end of the world.
https://group.rspb.org.uk/newcastle/news-blogs/blog/field-craft-look-listen-and-learn/
* * * * *
I decided to head extreme north to areas I have not been to yet. It was a very chilly day, but beautiful light. I found some incredibly stunning beaches and scenery. Shetland is vast and so much bigger than you think. I headed to Isbister which is the furthest point north of North Roe and the start of the walk to Fethaland, which is a walk I would love to do but you need all day and very good weather I feel. Just south west of here is Sandvoe which has a stunning beach by a cemetery with a handful of crofts – not a soul on the beach, just me, perfect! Few Oystercatchers on the beach and one Ringed Plover. A very sweet black lamb wanted a fuss and kept running along the fence line for me to stroke it, made my day!
Sandvoe
Stopped off and spent ages trying to find the Ring-necked Duck on Loch of Housetter amongst the Tufted Ducks – found it eventually! Very, very cold here, but probably because I was standing still for so long. A marine specialist lady stopped to ask what I was watching. Had a coffee and continued to explore this fascinating part of Shetland.
Loch of Housetter
Decided to divert off a road to "Heylor" and discovered Blade Beach alongside Ronas Voe. WOW! What insane scenery! From https://www.northmavine.com/things-to-do/ "Ronas Voe is seven miles long, and dominated by Ronas
Hill, named for its redness. Ronas Voe is often likened to a Norwegian
fjord with its steep sides and is very picturesque. Arctic terns nest on
the Blade, the beach at Heylor, in the summer and care should be taken
not to disturb them when they are nesting. Between 1903 and 1920 there
were two Norwegian whaling stations at the head of the voe."
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/maps/map35sh.shtml
The Blade, Heylor, Ronas Voe
Stopped off at Loch of Haggrister and had a walk around the loch, but only found a few Greylag Geese and one Redshank. Had a quick walk from the roadside to view Mavis Grind. Headed home via Kergord, just in case the Crane had decided to return (although unlikely), no sign but had 4 Woodpigeons amongst the Rooks in the field south of the farm.
Loch of Haggrister
Mavis Grind
Kergord
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w, fem. still of The Knab, Hawfinches x 2 still in Law Lane, Lerwick.
Common Crane still just south of wood at Kergord, then at 11.30 flew south along Weisdale Voe.
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta, then later at Loch of Tingwall.
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Housetter.
ISLANDS
Ring-billed Gull at Isle of Noss.
White-billed Diver in bay at Uyeasound, Unst.
2
Siskins and 3 Goldfinches in my garden again this morning.
Friday, 1 May 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w, fem. still of The Knab, Hawfinches x 2 in Law Lane, Lerwick.
Turtle Dove flew east over Kirk Loch.
White-billed Diver still just north of Mousa at Mousa Sound.
Common Crane at Kergord Farm.
Ring-necked Duck drk at Loch of Housetter.
ISLANDS
No news.
2
Siskins and 3 Goldfinches in my garden again this morning. I'm seeing the most bees this Spring I have ever seen since I have been here, which is awesome! Overall it was a pretty dull day weather wise. Headed south to the see the Little Tern that had relocated to Pool of Virkie and watched this distantly through my scope – it was having a snooze next to a couple of Common Terns and a Black-headed Gull at the far side of the loch towards the airport. Lots of birds on the pool including good numbers of Ringed Plovers, Dunlins, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Eiders, a Goldeneye and Long-tailed Duck. Saw my first butterfly of the year, a Red Admiral!
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
Grutness Pool
Lovely views of a Pale-bellied Brent Goose which Hugh H. had found on Grutness Beach and the pool, but sadly found out that the Imager Stabilizer button on the lens was switched off, so nothing pin sharp. I watched 7 Swallows fly over the Sumburgh Hotel. Checked out the gardens along the road at Scatness, nothing of note, but lots of Tufted Ducks on Loch of Gards. Boddam Voe was also alive with waders including Eiders, several pairs of Shelduck, Mallard, Mute Swans, Redshanks, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew etc and I found a Chiffchaff in a small pine tree near the Crofthouse Museum. 2 Sand Martins (my first ones this Spring) flew low over Loch of Spiggie. Drove up to Mossy Hill and found several Wheatears, but nothing else of note. I really wanted to see the Common Crane at Kergord, but felt completely exhausted so returned home.
Fair Isle had its first record of two Spoonbills this afternoon, but they only stayed for 15 minutes on "Da Water" and then flew high south west towards Orkney – see the Fair Isle link to read about it above.
A lovely lady who works in Scalloway chemist recommended a shampoo called Sukin which is made in Australia and doesn't have any chemicals etc in it and works brilliantly for her. I ordered some from Amazon and along with conditioner, they arrived today – will see if this helps.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Thursday 30th April
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Ring-necked Duck drk at Loch of Asta.
Hawfinch in Law Lane, Lerwick.
ISLANDS
Ring-billed Gull at North end of Booths Voe, Isle of Noss.
Common Crane flew towards Sand Water, Isle of Yell.
2 Siskins and 3 Goldfinches in my garden after work this evening. Another glorious sunny day here. I didn't realise how rare a Little Tern was here until today, someone found one over St Ninian's Bay this evening and posted it on the Common Bird News App and it was then quickly forwarded to the Rare Bird News App!
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
King Eider fem. still off The Knab, Lerwick.
Ring-necked Duck still at Loch of Housetter.
ISLANDS
Wryneck, Garganey on Isle of Foula.
5 Siskins, 1 Goldfinch,
House Sparrows including a partial leucistic bird, Starlings and
Collared Doves in the garden. This is the second day I haven't seen any of my Hawfinches, so guess they have departed, which is a shame as was hoping to get some better pictures in good light, oh well, see you both next Spring! Just seen a Hedgehog feasting on pieces of suet dropped from the suet blocks in my feeder. Gloriously sunny day here and forecast the same tomorrow.
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
King Eider fem. still off Twageos, Lerwick.
Wood Sandpiper at Loch of Spiggie.
White-billed Diver just north of Mousa at Mousa Sound.
ISLANDS
No news.
No sign of any Hawfinches today, but still 8 Siskins, 1 Goldfinch,
House Sparrows including a partial leucistic bird, Starlings and
Collared Doves in the garden.
Monday, 27 April 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
King Eider fem. still off Twageos, Lerwick.
Ring Ouzel above 2nd quarry at Sumburgh Head.
Hawfinch still in garden at Ladysmith Road, Scalloway.
ISLANDS
Waxwing in garden on Out Skerries.
One
Hawfinch seen again early this morning along with 8 Siskins, 1 Goldfinch,
House Sparrows including a partial leucistic bird, Starlings and
Collared Doves in the garden.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Sunday 26th April
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
King Eider fem. still towards The Knab, Lerwick.
Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Housetter.
Hawfinch still in garden at Ladysmith Road, Scalloway.
ISLANDS
Ring-billed Gull on Isle of Noss.
My garden this afternoon – Scalloway
One
Hawfinch seen this morning along with 5 Siskins, 2 Bramblings, a Robin,
House Sparrows including a partial leucistic bird, Starlings and
Collared Doves in the garden – same birds as yesterday.
Spent a long time making, measuring and sewing my curtains for photographing in the garden and realise I need a Grommet Tool Kit. Managed to photograph the Hawfinch through the new and partly completed curtains! Cold here. Lit the fire this evening.
Saturday, 25 April 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
One Hawfinch seen this morning along with 5 Siskins, 2 Bramblings, a Robin, House Sparrows including a partial leucistic bird, Starlings and Collared Doves in the garden. 
King Eider fem. still south of Lodberries, Lerwick.
Ring Ouzel at Sumburgh Head.
Hawfinch still in garden at Ladysmith Road, Scalloway.
TENGMALM'S OWL found dead at Lea Gardens, Tresta, SE of Bixter.
ISLANDS
Common Crane just north of Uyeasound, Unst.
Went into Lerwick to buy some dull teal coloured fleece fabric from Home furnishings, some mini cup hooks, cotton and some small bulldog clips from the post office, which in total cost me £25.40. I have had a much cheaper idea than buying or getting a bird hide made. I'm making a type of curtain to go across the far dining room entrance to the front porch and stable door. This means I will be able to open the top half of the stable door and photograph through the new curtain. I will take a photo and post it when I have finished it.
Mandarin Ducks (pair), plus Black-headed Gull
SETTER MARSH, LOCH OF SPIGGIE
Very distant – phone-scoped
From Lerwick I headed south to Loch of Spiggie to see the two very distant but flamboyant pair of Mandarin Ducks resting on the edge of a spit on Setter Marsh – there were two Black-tailed Godwits with them too. Took a phone-scoped picture, which I have not done for absolutely ages, which wasn't particularly brilliant, but you can see what they are! Better pictures I have taken of Mandarin Ducks here and here.
Went to Scatness and scanned all the gardens for any migrants, but it was late in the day and nothing found. At Sumburgh Head, there was no sign of this morning's Ring Ouzel or any Puffins on the cliffs, but plenty of seabird action with Fulmars etc etc. Wren singing on a stone wall briefly.
Fitful Head near Sumburgh
Stopped to take some sunset pictures and then drove around Exnaboe, as not been here for ages and looped round back onto the main road and back home. I was shocked to see on the WhatsApp group a picture of a beheaded Tengmalm's Owl and it was thought that it may have been a Sparrowhawk that killed it – what a terribly sad end, poor thing! This owl was found in Lea Gardens, where there was one in March 2020. SE winds on Sunday.
Friday, 24 April 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Back to being chilly again, no sun, dull day, wrong winds for migrants, no rain though. Birded around Scalloway whilst my car was being serviced and there was very little to see. Had a Chiffchaff in the sycamores in Sycamore Avenue and that was it.
White-billed Diver still just north of Mousa, Mousa Sound.
King Eider fem. south of Lodberries, Lerwick.
Hawfinches x 2 still in garden at Ladysmith Road, Scalloway.
ISLANDS
Stone Curlew on Out Skerries.
Common Crane at Burravoe then flew north, Yell.
Back at home I had both Hawfinches in the garden again, but they only make a brief appearance, as my front garden is small and unless I still insanely still by the window, they can see me and Hawfinches are very wary birds – I guess they spend longer in the garden when I'm not watching or not here. Also 1 Goldfinch, 5 Siskins, 4 Bramblings (2 very smart males), 2 Robins, 2 Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Starlings and Collared Doves.
Thursday, 23 April 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Glorious sunny day here and felt quite warm! I didn't get up early enough to watch my bird feeders and arrived home too late, so don't know if the Hawfinches are still around or not. The Tourist Office reopened in Lerwick today, which is very good news for everyone.
White-billed Diver off Bannaminn Beach, West Burra.
King Eider fem. at Horse of the Knab on south side of Lerwick.
White-billed Diver juv. north of Lunning, 2.5 miles NE of Vidlin from Whalsay Ferry.
White-billed Diver off north tip of Mousa, Mousa Sound.
Hawfinch at Loch of Hillwell.
ISLANDS
Black Redstart on Out Skerries.
White-billed Divers x 3 (all ads) on sea off White Hill Lighthouse, Vatsetter, Yell.
Channerwick Beach
After work I headed south to Channerwick to see if I could see last night's reported Pied Flycatcher – didn't find this but had my first Wheatears this Spring and there were several of them around the Channerwick area, fabulous to see. Also saw a male Blackcap in the scrub next to the large house at the bottom of the road which got me excited as it took forever to reveal itself. It was so beautiful here, the climb down to the beach over a short area of rocky path was a little tricky for my painful knee, but worth it to spend time on this stunning beach, where the burn runs over rocks into the sea. 2 Great Northern Divers on the sea, nothing else of note.
Levenwick Beach
At The Geosetter Burn I had a female Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a Blackbird – so lovely to see everything coming out into bud and the willows starting to green up. Sat at the top of the burn for a while, so peaceful here and listened to a Wren singing its heart out. Parked up at Levenwick Beach and decided to go a bit crazy and get my fold-up backpacking chair out of its bag and sat on the beach! 4 Ringed Plover on the shoreline, a Pied Wagtail and a Bonxie flew over. I pretended it was boiling hot whilst sitting in my chair, but it actually wasn't! 😆 Black Rabbits and Wheatears feeding on the hillside next to the cemetery. As I returned to my car, a lady and her daughter (presumably) arrived and the young lass when for a swim – hardcore! The water would have been icy cold. A good number of people swim regularly in Shetland and in all weathers throughout the Winter, rather them than me! Returned home, lit the fire and cooked tea. Car in for its yearly service tomorrow morning.
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