SHETLAND BIRD NEWS, PHOTOS, BIRDING, LIFE AND MORE! MY 15th YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2025!


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Friday, 25 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Ring Ouzel at Quendale.
Ring Ouzel at Geosetter. 
 
Serin in garden at feeders at Millfield, Norwick, Ring Ouzels x 2 at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.
Eastern Stonechat sp. male (probably Siberian) at Isle of Noss.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Isle of Foula.
Blue-headed Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher male, Ring Ouzel at Out Skerries.

 
Gorgeous day here. Car serviced and Winter tyres swopped for Summer ones, whilst I went to work on the bus to do a mandatory training course, that is only held on a Friday, so have a couple of hours time in lieu, which will come in useful. Nothing else of interest to report today!

RBA Weekly Round-Up 18th to 24th April!

By Jon Dunn

Thank you to the RBA Team for including my flycatching shot of the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler. Pictures of the week has to go to Hugh Harrop, who got some stonking pictures of last week's rarities here, particularly of the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler!

Thursday, 24 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Iceland Gull at Quendale.
 
Ring Ouzel fem. at Mid Yell.
Pied Flycatcher adult male at Stringa, Ring Ouzel male at Out Skerries.
Serin in garden at feeders at Millfield, Norwick, Unst.

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Hawfinch at Scatsta Farm, Scatsta.
Ring Ouzel at Sumburgh Farm.
Purple Heron at Loch of Brow.
 
EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER still in plantation at Skaw, Whalsay.

 
Beautiful sunny day here, but chilly (my perfect kind of day). After work I went birding at Clickimin Loch in Lerwick. Spent a good while searching for migrants and also at Helendale Terrace, but disappointingly didn't find a single bird, apart from the usual Starlings and Hooded Crows. Returned home to far more birds at my feeders, but nothing exciting.

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Eastern Subalpine Warbler male in gardens at end of road, Scatness.
Purple Heron at Loch of Brow.
Ring Ouzel at Toab.
Ring Ouzel at Sumburgh Farm.
 
EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER still in plantation at Skaw, Whalsay.
Hawfinch at Out Skerries.

 
In April its always a good idea to have essential birding gear in the car for after work. Headed south, straight from work to Scatness. After getting helpful info from Hugh H. to help me locate the Eastern Subalpine Warbler (found by Roger Riddington this morning), I spent an hour and three quarters searching, but failed. There was a moment when I thought I could hear it singing briefly in a clump of rosa bushes, but it wasn't long enough to be sure. A flock of 12+ Fieldfares flew in and landed on a field and there were a few Wheatears around, a couple of Wrens, House Sparrows and Starlings.
 
There were a good number of Long-tailed Ducks on the sea at West Voe Beach, but I didn't stop to count them. Checked out the Sumburgh Hotel garden, but didn't find anything exciting there. In the Grutness Garden there was a Chiffchaff and a Redwing landed briefly. There was a Pied Wagtail by the Grutness Pool along with a Redshank and 2 Black-headed Gulls. Drove around Toab in the last throws of light, thinking I might get lucky with the earlier sighting of a Ring Ouzel, but wasn't. The one disadvantageous of birding straight after work, is the fact that a mega bird could have been feeding at my bird feeders all day and I would never know!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Monday 21st April
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Purple Heron at Loch of Brow.
 
EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER still in plantation at Skaw, Whalsay.
Ring Ouzel, Hawfinches x 2, Blue-headed Wagtail (probable) at Out Skerries.
Eastern Subalpine Warbler male at Isle of Foula.

Sunday, 20 April 2025

EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER at Skaw, Whalsay!

EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER
SKAW, WHALSAY
 
Found by John Lowrie Irvine

 
Hugh Harrop very kindly said I could join him on the ferry from Laxo to Whalsay, to go and see the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler. Met Hugh at the ferry terminal and left my car in the carpark – we caught the 10.30am ferry. The only time I have been over to Whalsay, was for the Eastern Olivacious Warbler with Jill and Rob and it wasn't a fun crossing – today's was pretty smooth, thank goodness. The Eastern Bonelli's Warbler was at the far end of the island, in a plantation at Skaw.

Within seconds of getting out of the car, we immediately saw the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler in the plantation, which was flighty and seemingly feeding well. There was a couple and a single man along with Hugh and I, to see this very rare bird. Fantastic birding views, but the light wasn't brilliant for photography at this time of the day. Fabulous bird and a new tick for me! There was a Willow Warbler (singing) and a Chiffchaff in the plantation too and also a Red Grouse distantly in the heather!

EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER
 

Hugh was out of sight and round the end of the plantation, when I turned to see the other two birders walking as fast as they could over the boggy/mossy ground, to check on the lady who was laying on the ground! She had apparently fainted, so I administered first aid (feet up) until the colour came back to her cheeks. She was ok and was able to get up a while later and return to her car with her husband. Hugh arrived on scene, shocked at seeing us all there together in a huddle and thought we were all looking at plant or something! Whilst this had been going on, Hugh had got a fabulous shot – best picture I have seen so far by miles and I doubt if anyone will get a better one! (see Twitter/X here). Caught the 12.45pm ferry back to Laxo, which was another smooth crossing. Huge thanks to Hugh for giving me a lift over there.

Blackbird perched on New Zealand Flax at Da Gairdins

I decided to visit Da Gairdins at Sand, which was about half an hour away. I went for the first time last year and have been wanting to return. These gardens are spectacular and have several nature ponds, many varieties of trees, shrubs and plants and a stunning beach close by. I thought I might find some exciting birds there, but alas only found 1 Blackbird, 1 House Sparrow and 2 Collared Doves. Got a nice photo of a Blackbird singing on top of a New Zealand Flax. Chatted to Ruby who runs and works these spectacular gardens and I remarked how surprised I was to see Sea-buckthorn here (which reminded me of Holme). Went to the beach where I photographed a Wren singing its heart out on a boulder. Black-headed Gull here, a Rock Pipit and a Wheatear.

Horsetail (don't know which one) in the far pond at Da Gairdins
 
Water Cricket
Thank you to one of my blog readers and to John F. on Whalsay for the ID
 
Wren singing by the beach at Sand
 

Headed south – stopped at the shop at Bixter and bought a small bag of Kitkat Easter eggs! Not far from Scalloway I stopped and checked out the Burn of Njugalswater, which is SW of the Bridge of Fitch (where the Arctic Warbler was last Autumn) – nothing here at all. Went to Gulberwick to walk along the burn towards Wick House and no birds seen here either. Returned home and lit the fire. I was disappointed to find that I hadn't got one pleasing shot of the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, oh well, can't get good shots every time! Back to work on Tuesday.

MORE PICTURES TO BE ADDED

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Hobby at Dalsetter, Boddam.
White-billed Diver at South Nesting Bay.
 
EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER still in plantation at Skaw, Whalsay.
Common Crane at Haroldswick & Baltasound, Hawfinch at Firth, Unst.
Hawfinch at Out Skerries.

Saturday, 19 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER in plantation at Skaw, Whalsay.
 
Hawfinch male still at Baltasound, Unst.

https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2025/04/19/rare-warbler-found-in-the-uk-for-first-time-in-over-a-decade-in-whalsay 

The last Eastern Bonelli's Warbler was in a fir tree in my neighbour Jimmy's garden, from 10th-13th of October 2014! I don't think I can face a rocky ferry ride to Whalsay tomorrow?!

RBA Weekly Round-Up 11th to 17th April!

By Jon Dunn

Fair Isle Bird Observatory to open to public from late May!

Fabulous News!

https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2025/04/17/joy-new-fair-isle-bird/

https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2025/04/17/bird-observatory-finally-set-to-reopen-six-years-after-devastating-fire 

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

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 18th April
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Western Subalpine Warbler male still, singing at Dalsetter, Boddam.
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
Purple Heron still in Troswick Burn, SE end of Loch of Clumlie.
Hawfinch female in garden (mine), Scalloway.
 
Hawfinch male at Baltasound, Unst.

At last! My first Hawfinch (female) of the year on my feeders this morning and joined by a second one late afternoon! Also a Robin, Blackbirds, Starlings, House Sparrows, Rock Doves and Collared Doves.

 

Lea Gardens OPEN on Sunday 27th April

10.00am to 4.30pm & PLANT SALE

🌲 🌹 🌼 🌺 🌿 🐸 🌷

Thursday, 17 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Western Subalpine Warbler male singing at Dalsetter, Boddam.
Purple Heron flew from inflow to ditch at Boddam.
Orca x 2 this evening off Sumburgh Head.
 
Hawfinch at Baltasound, Unst.

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Western Subalpine Warbler (probably Western) still at Dalsetter, Boddam.
Hawfinch at Quendale.
Hawfinch at Exnaboe.
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
 
Great White Egret at Loch of Cullivoe, Yell.
Hawfinches x 2 at Out Skerries.

 
By this time last year, I had had a Hawfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in my garden, but no luck so far this Spring! We don't have Good Friday as a public holiday here in Shetland, but I don't work Friday's in any case, so have four days off!
 
From the WhatsApp messages today, I presumed the Western Subalpine Warbler was in someone's garden and not for general public viewing, so I didn't attempt to head south after work this evening, as no exact location given, but will check tomorrow, as I may well be wrong – always a lovely bird to see.
 
Strong Red Alert for the Aurora tonight, but looking on the webcams, it seems to be total cloud cover here, which is a shame. Had a lovely day out working/shadowing two community OTA's today.

Tuesday, 15 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Purple Heron in Troswick Burn, SE end of Loch of Clumlie.
Greenland White-fronted Goose at Scousburgh.
Western Subalpine Warbler (probably Western) this evening at Dalsetter, Boddam.
 
Hawfinches x 2 at Out Skerries.
White-fronted Goose at Loch Kirk, Yell.

Monday, 14 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Night Heron in pines at Bridge End, West Burra.
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
Purple Heron still at Loch of Clumlie.
Ross's Goose south of Eela Water, east of Urafirth.

Greenland White-fronted Geese x 3 at Haroldswick, Unst.
Hawfinch at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.

Very busy day at work and then drove straight to West Burra and Toogs and spent from 5pm to 8.30pm trying to find the Black-crowned Night Heron. Yes I have seen it, but it was a dot in the distance in my scope on a murky, rainy day. It would be good to even view it at half the distance I did, but luck is not on my side with this bird, after several visits. Several Grey Herons fishing, pair of Red-breasted Mergansers off the pier at the outdoor centre. At Toogs I bumped into Jane again who found a very distant Moorhen with just her bins! Back at the bridge I watched a couple of otters for a few moments before disappearing. A beautiful, but chilly evening and a stunning sunset as I drove home. Not having much luck with trying to get good views of the BCNH – think I might give up now!

Sunday, 13 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Purple Heron in Burn at Loch of Clumlie then later at Durigarth.
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
Ross's Goose at Brough, north of Toft.
Night Heron still at Toogs, West Burra.
 

Two male Siskins and one Robin in my garden today, along with the usual Starlings, House Sparrows and Collared Doves. Headed south birding. Walked along Swinister Burn and although it was extremely pretty, I didn't see a single bird! Climbed up to the top of the Geosetter Burn at Bigton and apart from 4 Ravens overhead and a couple of Meadow Pipits, no birds seen along the burn at all.

At Clumlie Loch there was no sign of the Purple Heron. Matt W. turned up and we walked along the burn to try and find the Purple Heron. Matt continued on to the cliff edge, but I turned back before this. Had a look at Boddam Voe: Eiders, Redshanks, Turnstones, Mallard and Shelducks here.

The Grutness Garden produced what I presume was the same male Blackcap I saw on Friday and also one Chiffchaff and the pool held a pair of Mallards and a couple of Common Gulls. Drove up to Sumburgh Head where I saw about 4 Wheatears on route. Stood for ages looking for Puffins coming into the cliffs, but only saw them flying distantly over the sea – nobody else had seen them either. Walked to the end of the 'Roses' and the view of the cliffs from here was stunning in the evening light. Fulmars were cruising round the cliffs and Razorbills, Guillemots and Shags also seen.

On West Voe beach I counted 138 Long-tailed Duck on the turquoise sea – it was a magical sight! Parked up to have a quick look at the Pool of Virkie and there was good numbers of waders including lots of Sanderlings, Dunlin, Redshanks, Shelducks, Turnstones and Curlew. Cruised home as the sun was setting.

Saturday, 12 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Purple Heron in Burn at Loch of Clumlie.
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
Green-winged Teal at Loch of Hillwell.
Ring Ouzel at Hillwell.
Iceland Gull at Mair's Pier, Gremista, Lerwick.
Night Heron, Black-throated Diver at Bridge End Outdoor Centre, West Burra.
Black Redstart at Dalsetter, Boddam.
 

Three smart male Siskins in my garden this afternoon.
One year since I bought my Skoda Monte Carlo Estate.
Lucy's severe mental state and angry mood upset my entire day.

Friday, 11 April 2025

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
Purple Heron at Troswick Burn, SE end of Loch of Clumlie.
AMERICAN COOT still off Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.
Green-winged Teal at Loch of Hillwell.
Greenland White-fronted Goose at Scousburgh.
Night Heron again distantly from Toogs Pier, West Burra.
 

Light rain, grey skies and foggy here. Robin in my garden this morning. Mossy Hill, produced nothing but thick fog – I could only just about see the sheep! I was hoping to find an Alpine Accentor up there – I last saw one on 30th October 2022 at Blakeney Point. Male Blackcap in the Grutness Garden, no sign of the RFB. Chiffchaff in the garden at Sumburgh Hotel along with four Blackbirds. Went to look for the Purple Heron at Troswick burn, no sign. Had a cruise around Levenwick, no birds of note seen. The day ended well, with finally getting to see the Black-crowned Night Heron from Toogs Pier at West Burra, which is a new bird for me. Met a lovely local birder called Jane who found the BCNH for me, thank you. Sadly though, it was a dot in my scope, so no gripping pictures from me. Fascinating to watch it skulking along the waters edge, searching for food. I really hope to see this again at a closer distance and in better light – such a flamboyant bird! Two Otters were also by the pier, but only seen briefly. South east winds and sunny tomorrow 😊

RBA Weekly Round-Up 4th to 10th April!

By Jon Dunn
 
Thank you to the RBA team for including my Purple Heron photograph in their weekly review!