Penny's Hot Birding and Life!

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

Tundra Bean Goose at Loch of Clumlie, north of Boddam.

ISLANDS

Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Baltasound, Black Redstart at Kirkaton, Norwick, Unst.

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

I had to go to Tesco and the Co-op yesterday evening after work and again this evening – the supermarkets are mostly stocked up again thank goodness. Phoned Lucy before I went to work today, no reply and the same in my lunch break but eventually she answerered her phone this evening so I could sing Happy Birthday to her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO MY DEAR SISTER LUCY

🥳 🎂 💐 🎁 🎉 😻 💝 😘 🎻 🎶

Monday, 9 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.

King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.

ISLANDS

No news.

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

Heavy rain all day again.

Mother holding me at The Firs, Holme

Happy Birthday to my dear mother who would have been 86 today 💕 xx

Sending you love – thinking of you today and always 💔

Bad Bunny's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show!

This has to be the best half time show ever, for so many reasons. I loved it and can't stop watching it over and over again! Lady Gaga was one of his surprise guests, who looked totally stunning – watching her dancing with Benito has got to be the hottest moment in history!

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/09/entertainment/bad-bunny-america-super-bowl-liam-ramos

https://www.reuters.com/pictures/photos-bad-bunnys-halftime-show-2026-02-09/

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/09/style/bad-bunny-super-bowl-white-outfit-lotw?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc&recs_exp=up-next-article-end&tenant_id=related.en

One of the commercials at Super Bowl – Benson Boone!

Sunday, 8 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

Little Auk at Quendale.

ISLANDS

Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Cullivoe, Yell.

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

Heavy rain and wind all day long. Went to Tesco and to the Co-op and there were no vegetables or fruit at all and also a huge lack of general products – shelves stripped bare. So my shopping bill was considerably cheaper than I expected it to be. I managed to get some spring onions and potatoes in my local shop though. I will survive without any of the things I couldn't get, but the most important thing was bottled water as I only have four bottles left. I probably haven't mentioned this before but I have had to buy bottled water since last Spring when I discovered through a test with Scottish Water that I have a lead pipe from the Scottish Communication pipe to my kitchen and the lead levels are higher than they should be. The quote for replacing this pipe was/is £6,500 which I obviously don't have, so the only alternative is to buy bottled water. Filtered water does not remove the lead content in case anyone messages me. I obviously didn't know this when I bought the house. I only buy the water for drinking, so still having to cook and shower with lead contaminated water. Anyway I hope they get some bottled water in soon! Weather forecast for the rest of the week remains poor. Back to work in the morning! It would have been my mother's birthday tomorrow 💞

NFL Super Bowl live on Channel 5 now and "Bad Bunny" (Benito) is the half time show! For anyone not able to sleep, he will be worth watching! 🔥🔥🔥

Benito was born in Puerto Rico, the Grammy-winning singer, rapper, and producer is known for driving the global popularity of Latin trap and reggaeton. Known as the King of Latin Trap. He is considered one of the best Latin rappers of all time.

Saturday, 7 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

Black Redstart still at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.

King Eider still at Bay of Quendale.

ISLANDS

Glaucous Gull at Loch of Littlester, Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Cullivoe, Yell.

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

Weather back to being rubbish. Some essential chores done, exercises done and generally had a chilled day at home and started to read a novel this evening. Putting off going to Tesco, but guess I will have to go tomorrow before returning to work on Monday. Brambling and Robin still in the garden.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 30th January to 5th February!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2026_05.aspx?s_id=696571839

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 6th February

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

King Eider still at Bay of Quendale.

Northern Bullfinches x 3 (1 male) in garden of Isleburgh House Hostel.

Black Redstart still at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.

Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Pool of Virkie.

ISLANDS

Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Dam Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.

Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Cullivoe, Yell.

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

Had my physio appointment at 10.15am and was given more advanced exercises to continue strengthening my shoulder and neck – next appointment in two weeks time. It was nice to bump into some of my physio colleagues whilst waiting for my appointment. Popped into my OT office to say hello to Catherine before I left the hospital. Returned home, had a quick 20 min power nap and something to eat and then for the first time in weeks I actually went out birding!!!

Today was the first day in at least twenty days where there has not been any wind and it was dry and a little bit sunny!!! I could see the forecast for Saturday and Sunday returns back to being dire, so knew it was a good time to get out for my mental state, which has not been good at all since being off sick on my own at home.

Little Gull at Sandsayre, Leebitten

Rock Pipit foraging at Sandsayre, Leebitten

Black Redstart at Sandsayre, Leebitten

Drove to Leebitten (13 miles away) to see the Little Gull that was found yesterday. As soon as I parked up the Little Gull was on the sea – very close to the shore. So lovely to see and it did me the world of good. Three other birders were here enjoying watching this beautiful Little Gull. I spent longer here than I had intended to as I wanted to see the Black Redstart that has been here for a few weeks – eventually I got to see it, which was lovely. There were also two Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea briefly.

Drove home, lit the fire, cooked tea and watched TV. Looking forward to returning to work and normality on Monday!

Rubbish weather here again. The Robin remains in my garden.

Sunday, 1 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Saturday 31st January

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

TENGMALM'S OWL – no sign of yesterday in undisclosed location on West mainland.

American Wigeon drk on muddy pool between Culsetter and Ringasta, NW of Hillwell.

King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.

Black Redstart still at Sandsayre, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.

Tundra Bean Geese at Loch of Spiggie.

Waxwing still in garden at Voe.

ISLANDS

No news.

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

Woke up in too much pain to continue sleeping, so got up and took more pain relief, had a hot chocolate and marmalade on toast and then went back to bed and woke up insanely late. Robin in the garden again. Crappy weather. Received a lovely birthday card from Pete Snook, thank you! Tengmalm's Owl has gone or relocated, maybe its headed over to Lea Gardens? This is where the last one was in 2019?! Wouldn't it be fabulous if it was the same bird?!

Previous records of Tengmalm's Owl in Shetland from the fabulous previous records resource from RBA:

I had a record 26 Collared Doves descend into the garden in one go after throwing down a load of bird seed, meal worms and sultanas.

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

Tundra Bean Geese at Loch of Clumlie, north of Boddam.

ISLANDS

No news.

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

Had a second physio appointment with my surgery physiotherapist yesterday and my first one with a Physio at the hospital this coming Friday. Still off sick with painful shoulder and neck, although its not as excruciating as it was and my physio was pleased with my progress so far, after doing all the exercises she prescribed daily. Pretty miserable being alone all this time, but there we go – not good at being on my own for long periods of time. Sooner I get back to work the better. Put my monthly electric readings in for the month (which is always on the 27th) and the bill for the last four weeks was a shocking £575.29 – I won't ever be able to afford to retire on the state pension. The extra money I earn working for NHS Scotland is taken by the electric. 😒 Lovely birthday surprise that was!

I have not bothered with a seperate birthday post this year as there is nothing exciting to report. Had lovely cards from both my sisters (plus presents) and one from Malcolm and one from John, thank you all. I guess others will arrive later due to cancelled ferries and planes. Huge thank you to all those lovely people who sent me very kind messages via Facebook, messenger and by text, much appreciated. 🤗

Poor weather here again. Had a Brambling in the garden and a Robin. Sadly no further updates on the mega Tengmalm's Owl. Couldn't face going to Up Helly Aa as the cold would have made my shoulder and neck even more painful, Oramorph would have helped, but you can't drive with that!

Live from Lerwick, Shetland: Up Helly Aa 2026 torchlit procession and Vi...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8p2rjeyveo

Monday, 26 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

TENGMALM'S OWL
in undisclosed location on the west side of mainland.

Waxwing in garden at Voe.

Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.

ISLANDS

Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.

White-billed Diver, Iceland Gull at south end of Hascosay Sound.

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

TENGMALM'S OWL

in undisclosed location on the west side of mainland.

This is a screenshot from a post earlier today on Facebook

What I would give to see this, just WOW! I remember all the excitement about the one at Lea Gardens at Tresta in 2019 when I was living in Norfolk and here I am living in Shetland, another turns up and nobody can go and see it, utterly heartbreaking. Hopefully the owner will change their minds about birders coming to see it. Its not as if the place will be flooded with twitchers from 'south' with the current weather conditions, more ferries and flights being cancelled over the next few days, plus any cheque book twitchers (as I call them 😉) would have nipped over in 2019 so won't need to come here again.

Sunday, 25 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare Bird Alert News

MAINLAND

King Eider 1w.fem still at Bay of Quendale.

Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.

Tundra Bean Goose at Trondra Hall Junction, Trondra.

ISLANDS

Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w briefly at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.

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

I M A G E S

All images remain copyright of Penny Clarke. No image may be downloaded, copied, printed, sampled or redistributed in any form, whole or part without prior written permission
©Penny Clarke 2026.

If you wish to purchase an image as a print or digital file for personal use or publication, please send an email to: pennyclarke@talktalk.net

P R I N T S
High quality prints are available at the following prices:

• 6"x4" £3.00 • A5 £6.50 • A4 £13.00

Postage and packing is an additional £1.50 per order
I have had images published in Birdwatch, Birding World, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mirror, Eastern Daily Press, The Lynn News, NOA Report, NWT 'Tern', FIBO and the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, Front Cover 2014. Front & Back Cover of the NOA Annual Report 2011 and Front Cover 2016, Shetland Bird Report, Dutch Birding and Pallas's Warbler in 'Siberia's Sprite' By Andy Stoddart 2016. Images published on-line for the BBC, Sky News, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail & more.