SHETLAND BIRD NEWS, PHOTOS, BIRDING, LIFE AND MORE! MY 16th YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2026!


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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.
 
 
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.
 
 
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 

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. 
 
 
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!

Thursday, 5 February 2026

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.
 
 
Physio appointment tomorrow, back to work on Monday.

Wednesday, 4 February 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
No news.
 
ISLANDS 
Little Auk off Vats-Houll, Isle of Whalsay.
 
 
Sleet, snow showers, rain and strong winds. Robin and Brambling in the garden.

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

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.

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.

Monday, 2 February 2026

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.

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

Saturday, 31 January 2026

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Friday 30th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
No news..
 
ISLANDS 
No news.
 
 
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.

Thursday, 29 January 2026

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.
 
 
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.

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

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. 
 
 
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. 
 
 
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. 
 
 
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.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Saturday 24th January
Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w. fem still at Bay of Quendale.
Green-winged Teal drk at Culswick Marsh. 
 
ISLANDS 
No news.

Friday, 23 January 2026

RBA Weekly Round-Up 16th to 22nd January!

By Jon Dunn

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
MAINLAND
King Eider 1w.fem a Bay of Quendale.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 still at Virkie.
American Wigeon ad.drk still at Loch of Spiggie. 
 
ISLANDS 
Black-throated Diver at Otterswick, Yell.
 
 
This is the third day of the Northlink Ferry being cancelled, which is unusual, well it certainly is since I have been living here. The gales have continued and are still raging outside as I type, but there seems to be a bit less wind from 2pm tomorrow, which will give us all a bit of a break and hopefully the ferry will depart for those needing to travel.
 
Nothing exciting in my garden apart from the usual House Sparrows, Starlings, Collared and Rock Doves. Vivien visited Lucy and we did a video call, which was lovely and finally managed to get Lucy to decide what she would like for her birthday.
 
I have not watched any of the other Traitor series, but I have been completely hooked by this last one and last night was a terrible cliffhanger, couldn't believe how the semi-final ended! I'm so glad Rachael and Steven were faithful to each other to the very end in tonight's final, even though they were both Traitors and brilliantly played by both of them.
 
A birthday card arrived today and on the envelope it was titled "Lady Pennykins Clarke", who on earth wrote that I pondered? Then the penny dropped, I knew exactly who this was from 😂 😂 😂 – I haven't opened it and won't until the 27th, but thank you John! 🤗