SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Icterine Warbler still, singing at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick. 

Quail still at Bakkasetter.

Honey Buzzard flew NW over Viking Wind Farm, south of Voe.

Caspian Tern, then flew north, Little Stint at Pool of Virkie.

ISLANDS

Quail on road towards burnt house at Halligarth, Unst.

Marsh Warbler at Skaw, Isle of Whalsay.

Quail singing by pool at Out Skerries. 

 

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

 

Vivien visited Lucy today and we did a video call – they were both boiling hot with temperatures of 25 degrees! Not hot here at all, which is good. Spent some of the day sorting through photos.

 

White-billed Diver pictures etc added HERE.

 

Greenish Warbler pictures etc added HERE.  

 

Red-necked Phalaropes pictures etc added to Fetlar post HERE. 

 

Update from the new filtered shower head. The instant difference was the fact that my hair was extremely soft, never felt it this good before! It will be several hair washes later before and IF I notice a difference with my scalp – fingers crossed. 

RBA Weekly Round-Up 12th to 18th June!

By John Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2026_24.aspx?s_id=744676380 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Thursday 18th June

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Icterine Warbler singing at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick. 

Quail at Bakkasetter.

Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta. 

Quail singing opposite Dunrossness School, Boddam.

Quail at Hillwell.

ISLANDS

Quails x 2 singing at Ordale, Unst.

 

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

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Marsh Warbler singing in quarry at Sumburgh Head.

Quail singing at Pool of Virkie.

Rose-coloured Starling at Sellafirth.

ISLANDS

No news.

 

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

 

I've been suffering to the extreme with my itchy head and scalp, which is now seriously affecting my quality of sleep, which has been almost non existent over the last couple of nights and with going to work that is difficult to cope with. I can't handle this much more, I'm at my wits end. Long story short..... after much Googling, I discovered recently that you can purchase a shower head with a filter, which apparently removes lots of unwanted things in the water including metals, lead, chlorine etc etc. There are lots on the market, but after checking many reviews, awards etc etc I finally decided on the Curo Skin Filtered Shower Head and ordered this a few days ago. Why the hell I haven't found this out before I really don't know, but I suppose when you live on your own and there is nobody else to really talk to about this, it makes seeking advice difficult. Huge thanks to my long time blog supporter John, who kindly sent me an advice email about this recently.

Review from "Good Housekeeping" HERE: Product link HERE. Replacement filter here. I will be sent a new filter every 90 days at £34.00. This may sound expensive, but to potentially lead a normal life, this will be worth every penny if it works.

 

This product arrived today and was simple to install. Removed my shower head, replaced with new one – place filter in behind screw off shower head front section and go! I also ordered Curo's shower bracket for £10 to take the weight of the heavier shower head. I'm going to pray this works or at least relieves my symptoms. Ultimately I need to replace the lead pipe to my property but don't have the finances to do this.

 

After more Googling this evening I found out the following (see in blue), which is why (I guess) my symptoms have been worse over the last week, as we have had a run of hot weather (hot for Shetland) over a few days!!! I also don't think its just the lead causing my issues, I think is the other levels of metals in the water as well. I know from skin tests several years ago (I kept the paperwork results) that I am allergic to metals, so an increase in the percentage of metals to what I was used to prior to moving here, may be the issue, who knows! I was referred to see a dermatologist a while ago, but to have to wait until September to see one. There was a dermatology clinic this month (June) and I got myself on the cancellation list, but I was told this week that the clinic was full and there was no cancellations and so I have to wait until September, which is the next time a dermatologist comes up from 'south'.

 

Lead contamination in drinking water is significantly worse in hot weather. The rate at which lead dissolves from old pipes or soldered joints into your drinking water increases dramatically as water and ground temperatures rise.

Why Heat Increases Lead Leaching

• Higher Dissolvability: As water temperature increases, lead dissolves much faster. Studies show that for every 1°C rise in water temperature, dissolved lead levels can increase by about 17%.
• Seasonal Changes: Research indicates there can be up to three times as much dissolved lead in water during the summer and autumn months compared to the winter. 
• Standing Water: Hot weather means water stays warmer inside the house, especially if it sits in the pipes for a few hours, giving the lead more time to leach into the supply.

This evening I have emailed Anglian Water (Norfolk) to ask their advice re the results from my water test here in comparison to metal levels etc where I used to live.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Broad-billed Sandpiper just west of spit on estuary, Laxo.

Ring-necked Duck ad. drk still at Loch of Tingwall.

ISLANDS

Quails x 2 (both males) singing on Out Skerries.

Quail singing at Baltasound, Unst.

 

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

 

A message for John from Glasgow!

 

Thank you so much for hand posting to my place of work, the copies of Bird Watching Magazines with my late father's regular nature articles he used to write. Much appreciated and thank you for your lovely letter. With no email address etc, the only way of thanking you was here – hope you see this message! I hope you are enjoying your trip to Shetland! 😊

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Shorelarks x 2 at Dalsetter, Boddam.

White-billed Diver again at outer entrance of voe, viewed from road NW of harbour, north of Walls.

Ring-necked Duck ad. drk still at Loch of Tingwall. 

Quail at north end of Loch of Spiggie.

Quail at north side of Pool of Virkie.

Quail at Brake, Hillwell.

ISLANDS

No news.

 

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

 

A second day of grey skies and no sunshine.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

White-billed Diver again off West Burrafirth, but no further sign from mid afternoon, north of Walls.

Quail still at Setter, Sandwick.

Ring-necked Duck ad. drk still at Loch of Tingwall. 

ISLANDS

Quails x 3 on Out Skerries.

 

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

WHITE-BILLED DIVER

West Burrafirth Harbour

 

 

Arrived at West Burrafirth Harbour fairly early and was overjoyed to see the very striking White-billed Diver fairly close to the bank, but the light was appalling. The sun didn't come out at all today. Most of the time, the WBD was very distant in the harbour and at times disappeared from view around the cliffs. It only came close a second time, not quite as close as when I first saw it, but then it resurfaced very close to a handful of photographers when it was out of view for me as I was parked in front of a caravan and hadn't realised where it had resurfaced, unluckily. That's the luck of the draw as they say! Fabulous bird to watch and there were lots of other birds to see too – the supporting cast were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers very close before anyone else turned up, a Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Guillemots, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Fulmars, Common and Arctic Terns. The WBD then seemed to have disappeared altogether by mid afternoon. I drove up to the end of the voe (the furthest you can drive to a dead end and house) as did a couple of birders before me but couldn't find it.

Da Gairdins at Sand

 

 

Went to "Da Gairdins" at Sand, which is ideally viewed on a sunny day, which today wasn't at all, but still enjoyed an amble around these spectacular gardens. Drove to the "Original Cake Fridge", hoping for their divine lemon and coconut cake (which I had a very long time ago), but none there. Spitting with rain on and off all day long. Lit the fire when I got home as it was considerably colder than the last few days. Monday is an extra public holiday to celebrate Scotland's participation in the FIFA Men's World Cup, so not back to work until Tuesday!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Greenish Warbler still at Dave's Trees, Sumburgh Head.

White-billed Diver again off West Burrafirth, north of Walls.

Quail at Setter, Sandwick. 

ISLANDS

No news.

 

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

 

Was up until the early hours researching filtered shower heads that remove metals – long story short, through desperation I ordered a Curo Filtered Shower head and also set up to have filter replacements every 90 days at £34.00 for a filter. I'm praying this will help as I can't take much of my intensely itchy scalp. Because of this I wasn't able to get up as early as I had wanted to.

 

Checked out the Grutness Garden and pool, nothing of note found. The mass concrete area opposite the pool is so ugly – its needs to be dug up and everything put back as it was, it truly looks depressingly awful. Got to Sumburgh Head and spent far too many hours trying to see the Greenish Warbler at "Dave's Trees". Initially there were too many people and too much talking going on, so I knew it would be a long time before I saw it. Most people then left to go and see the Summer plumaged White-billed Diver which had been found again this morning, so I was left alone. Later, I had to return to my car as the rain was too heavy for my camera and I sat and had lunch and then returned. At 2.45pm I had a brief glimpse and no pictures. An hour (ish) later I had much better views along with Kevin K. and his family and managed to get some pictures. I got wet several times in rain showers.

 GREENISH WARBLER

Dave's Trees at Sumburgh Head

 

 

Later I spent nearly two hours at the roses by the lighthouse trying to see the Subalpine Warbler, no joy with that but there were at least 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wrens and 1 Blackbird in the roses. Saw some Puffins and took some funky scenery shots.

Chiffchaff in the roses at Sumburgh Head

 

Puffins at Sumburgh Head

 

Scenery at Sumburgh Head 

 

 

Filled up with petrol by the airport road. Had a quick scan around Loch of Virkie, which was alive with waders in awesome light and sunshine. Feeling rebellious, I went birding at Boddam. Five fluffy teenage Shelducks were seen with parents, Eiders, Curlew, Turnstones and unusually not much else. No hassle, but I guess it was tea time! 😉 Was thinking about driving to see the White-billed Diver, but it would have been late evening, so not worth the risk financially, so returned home.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Greenish Warbler at Dave's Trees this evening, then in roses by lighthouse at Sumburgh Head.

Subalpine Warbler sp. fem. still in roses by lighthouse this evening, Sumburgh Head. 

White-billed Diver off West Burrafirth, north of Walls.

Lesser Grey Shrike at south end of Stromfirth. 

ISLANDS

Quails x 2 on Out Skerries.

 

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

 

No sign of the Lesser Grey Shrike for any birders that went to see it including me.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 5th to 11th June!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2026_23.aspx?s_id=535595647 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

White-billed Diver imm. off Vaila from mailboat, Walls.

Quails x 2 singing along road to Staneydale Temple, Tresta. 

ISLANDS

Quail singing at Haroldswick, 3 Quails (2 at Buness, 1 at Daisy Park), Baltasound, Quail at Easting, Unst.

Quail x 2 at Funzie, Isle of Fetlar.

Quail singing at Symbister, Isle of Whalsay.

Quail east of Voehead Road, Isle of Bressay.

 

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

All Day Trip to Fetlar!

Red-necked Phalarope

 

I've only ever been to Fetlar once before and that was with an Oriole Birding Trip on 17th October 2017. I was way overdue to visit this fabulous island again and obviously visiting in October I never got to see the Red-necked Phalaropes. So after studying the weather forecast for the week and booking my trip, I set off insanely early this morning. 

Left home at 4.15am to head for Toft. On route I checked out the beach that the Bearded Seal was found on yesterday, just in case it had returned – it hadn't. Got the 5.45am ferry from Toft, arriving at Ulsta, Yell at 6.05am. A 30 minute drive to Gutcher and then got the first ferry out to Fetlar at 7.25am, arriving Harmars Ness on Fetlar at 8.05am. News arrived on the Rare Bird WhatsApp group of a male Black-headed Bunting on Foula!!! I spent a while trying to work out if I could get there and back – I could, but there was no where to stay when I checked, all booked up and I didn't want to spend £112.00 return for the plane fare, plus I'm not in love with these small planes after my Fair Isle Trip!

Red-necked Phalarope

 

Spent a fabulous day on the island, photographing Red-necked Phalaropes (not many on view today though), beaches and scenery. It was fabulous to bump into David Tipling (who lives in Norfolk) this morning, who was leading a photography tour – for those of you who don't know, David is one of the World's most widely published wildlife photographers and aside from that is a really nice person. The light and skies were truly spectacular today!

Papil Loch adjacent to Tresta Beach

 

 

Tresta Beach and Cliffs 

 

Found Tresta Beach for the first time and spent so much time wandering along the entire beach from the grass sheep tracks above, through the dunes and then down onto the glittering sands backed by towering cliffs, with Fulmars swirling everywhere. I can't ever recall seeing sand that had this much sparkle and it was the same with the rocks and stones. Terns, Gulls, Arctic Skuas, Bonxies, Dunlins, Red-throated Divers, Great Northern Divers, Meadows Pipits and Skylarks were all seen here and the turquoise crystal clear sea was on another level. I was fascinated to watch 15+ Bonxies bathing together in Papil Loch. I could have spent the entire day on Tresta beach, what a place!

Beach on Fetlar

 

It was nice to bump into Dave and Dawn from Sheffield, who visit Shetland annually and good to have a catch up, thank you for your company today. Quite a few visitors on Fetlar today. I checked out any sycamore trees and gardens for migrants, but best I could find was a Blackbird! Oh, I did hear a Chiffchaff singing by the cafe and shop at Houbie.

View from the hide 

 

RSPB Hide at Funzie. 

 

Path to the RSPB Hide

 

View of the RSPB Hide and pools at Funzie

 

Funzie Loch

 

 Funzie Beach

Went to Funzie Beach, which is a pebble beach with spectacular views. Drove to Everland to walk to a new beach I've not been to before, but as soon as I opened the car door a collie dog started barking extremely loudly and when I realised that it was loose, I just couldn't get out of the car, silly I know, but I couldn't, which was a real shame as I really wanted to walk to that beach which was called "Gruting".

At the end of the day I tried to find where "Sand of Sand" beach was and went the wrong way, which is south of Brough Lodge – I could see where the beach was but didn't have time to reach it. On another short walk, I accidentally stumbled upon a female Red-necked Phalarope feeding on the sea below some cliffs which I hadn't expected, what a fabulous find!

Red-necked Phalarope on the sea

 

Sand of Sand beach

  

Brough Lodge

 

 

 

Brough Lodge area and cliffs

 

Drove to Hamars Ness and got the 19.40 ferry to Gutcher which wasn't as smooth as the crossing this morning, so laid down on the back seat with my eyes closed – arrived at just before 20.10, half an hour drive and then got the 20.40 ferry to Toft, arriving back on the mainland at around 21.00. It was 21.50 when I pulled up in my driveway! A long but truly wonderful day!