SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Northern Bullfinches x 3 (1 male) at Burn of Sound, Lerwick.

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

Taiga Bean Geese x 3, Tundra Bean Geese x 4 at Exnaboe.

Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.

Tundra Bean Goose at Tingwall.

White-billed Diver, Northern Eiders x 3 (possible, form borleasis) on sea off Sound Gruney, Bluemull Sound.

 

ISLANDS 

No news.

 

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

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Taiga Bean Geese x 3, Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Exnaboe.

American Wigeon still at Setter, Loch of Spiggie. 

Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.

Waxwing still in garden at Mulla, north of Voe.

 

ISLANDS 

Tundra Bean Geese x 4 at Skaw, Isle of Whalsay

 

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

 

Robin in the garden again today. Sprinkling of snow everywhere and beautiful sunshine all day! Had to wait in this morning for Scottish Water to come out. Sadly there was no news on the Bittern that Hugh H. found two days ago, but I headed south anyway, in case it reappeared. I checked the outfall and other areas where it had been seen but no sign. I hope it survived and either relocated somewhere else or moved on – pity it didn't hang on for me today, but that's the way it goes when you have to work.

 

Bumped into Nat Hall at the little car parking area by Spiggie Beach and she had just found a Pintail which was lovely to see. Lots of Wigeon, a Heron, a Goldeneye and Whooper Swans on the loch. Stopped at Boddam and saw another Heron and 2 Mute Swans. Headed home and had a cosy evening by the fire and caught up with Vivien & Ray and Lucy on the phone.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 6th to 12th February!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2026_06.aspx?s_id=905715012 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Thursday 12th February

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Bittern at outflow, American Wigeon still at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.

Tundra Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Geese x 13 Russian White-fronted Geese at Loch of Tingwall.

Taiga Bean Geese x 3, Russian White-fronted Goose x 1 at Pool of Virkie.

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

 

ISLANDS 

No news.

 

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

 

Had a late afternoon GP appointment and was prescibed some steroid cream for my scalp, which the doctor described as "inflamed", none in stock in chemist though, so have to wait until tomorrow. Had to scrape ice off the car this morning before going to work – it was a stunningly beautiful day here – the second day of sunshine for absolutely ages. Light covering of snow this evening.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Tundra Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Loch of Clumlie, north of Boddam.

Bittern at North end of Loch of Spiggie.

Waxwing still in garden at Mulla, north of Voe.

 

ISLANDS 

Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Cullivoe, Yell.

Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at Uyeasound, Unst. 

 

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

 

Lovely photos on Shetland Facebook pages of the Bittern at Loch of Spiggie today – a very rare bird here and under 30 previous records someone stated! It was a very rare day here also with blue skies for most of the day, if not all, but couldn't keep track of the entire day being as I was at work. Its now light after 4.30pm, but not light enough to drive down to Spiggie Loch to see a Bittern before dark!

 

Going through a difficult time right now (again). Last Spring my scalp developed a severe burning and itching, which is why I got the water tested in the first place (see my post on 8th Feb) and that is when I discovered to my horror that my pipe to the house was a lead pipe and the lead levels were above what they should be and lead can cause scalp irritation amongst other things. I have had much milder symptoms of this since, but around a week again this intensified to severe burning and itching, much worse than last year. Had to wash my hair two days later when I normally wash it around every 5 days and it made no difference to the burning feeling at all. Its torture it really is and last night I didn't get much sleep because of the severity of the burning. I have Scottish Water coming out again this week to see if the lead levels have increased further. I googled that lead levels can increase when there has been an increase in rainfall and we have certainly had that for several weeks now, so this may be the cause? It also increases when the water is heated, which of course the shower does exactly that. The last time I washed my hair I made sure the shower temperature was luke warm to cold and it made no difference whatsoever.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

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

Northern Bullfinches x 3 at Soldian Court, Lerwick. 

 

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

🥳 🎂 💐 🎁 🎉 😻 💝 😘 🎻 🎶 

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!

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.

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!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Little Auk off Catti Geo, Leebitten, north of Sandwick.

Waxwing still in garden at Mulla, north of Voe.

 

ISLANDS 

Tundra Bean Geese x 6 south of Kirk Loch, Yell.

 

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

 

Physio appointment tomorrow, back to work on Monday.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

No news.

 

ISLANDS 

Little Auk off Vats-Houll, Isle of Whalsay.

 

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

 

Sleet, snow showers, rain and strong winds. Robin and Brambling in the garden.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

American Wigeon drk at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.

Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Virkie.

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

 

ISLANDS 

Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Tundra Bean Geese x 5 at Baltasound, Unst.

 

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

 

Snow here again! 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Monday 2nd February

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

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

Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Exnaboe.

American Wigeon drk at Setter, Loch of Spiggie.

 

ISLANDS 

Kumlien's Gull or Thayer's Gull 3w still at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Tundra Bean Geese x 9 at Hamar, Unst.

 

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

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Sunday 1st February

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

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

Waxwing at Mulla, north of Voe. 

ISLANDS 

No news.

 

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

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

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Saturday 31st January

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

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

Waxwing at Mulla, north of Voe.

Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.

American Wigeon drk at North Shore, Loch of Brow.

 

ISLANDS 

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

 

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

 

Brambling and Robin along with the usual birds in the garden today. Same weather as yesterday!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 30th January

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

No news..

 

ISLANDS 

No news.

 

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

 

Another dire day of weather, which included sleet, snow, hail, rain and strong winds! Went to my physio appointment at the GBH (hospital) and was given new and different exercises to do. Left in pain after being assessed. Next appointment with new physio is next Friday. Went home and lit the fire at 11am, the earliest I have ever done this. Didn't go looking for any owls, far too cold and wet. Robin in the garden along with three Blackbirds, Starlings, House Sparrows and a few Collared Doves.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

TENGMALM'S OWL – on Tuesday in Weisdale and Whiteness area at undisclosed location.

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

Waxwing still in garden at Voe.

 

ISLANDS 

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

 

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

 

Interesting that RBA seem to now know the area that the Tengmalm's Owl was and still around on Tuesday – this has not been mentioned on our WhatsApp groups. Oh well, if it has actually moved on and its not a cover up, then Scalloway could be a good bet. I will have a thorough check tomorrow in pouring rain after my physio appointment if I feel up to it.