SHETLAND BIRD NEWS – SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN & TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Yellow-browed Warbler at Orca Inn, Barred Warblers x 2 by road at west side of Hoswick Burn, Hoswick.

Yellow-browed Warbler north of road at Hoswick Burn. 

Firecrest in 2nd garden on north side of south road, Yellow-browed Warbler at Netherburn, Wester Quarff.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Easter Quarff. 

Yellow-browed Warbler at Brig O' Fitch.

Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Stromfirth.

King Eider ad. fem off Twagoes Road, Yellow-browed Warbler at Helendale Drive, Lerwick.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Brakefield Road, Sandwick.

Little Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler at Califf, Veensgarth.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Sumburgh Hotel.

CITRINE WAGTAIL flew over West Voe towards Sumburgh Hotel. 

Barred Warbler, Lapland Bunting at The Spiggie Hotel, Yellow-browed Warbler at Scousburgh.

Bluethroat, Common Rosefinches x 2 at in wild bird crop at Scousburgh. 

Yellow-browed Warbler at Loch of Voe.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Geosetter.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Wadbister, SSE of Girlsta.

OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT in garden (Wiltrow) at Boddam.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Longwell, Aith, Yellow-browed Warbler at Kenswood, Cunningsburgh.

Little Bunting, Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.

Hawfinch at Voe of Scatsta.

Sooty Shearwater flew past The Lookout, Lapland Bunting, Sumburgh Head.

Common Rosefinch, Yellow-browed Warbler at Swining.

Barred Warbler at Orbister.

Little Bunting in driveway of old school house, Dale of Walls, WNW of Walls.

OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT at croft above Loch of Sung between Dale of Walls and Mid Walls.

Little Bunting in paddock of Silly Sheep Company, Yellow-browed Warbler at Lower Dale, Walls. 

Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Leean Plantation, Mid Walls.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still in wet field at Fleck.

Red-breasted Flycatcher still at Lower Voe.

Ring Ouzel in quarry between Watsness and Dale.

Yellow-browed Warbler in small plantation at South Nesting.

Little Bunting, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at plantation by road at Hamnavoe, NNE of Lunna.

SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN

in garden at Hillwell

Yellow-browed Warbler at Hillwell.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Brake.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper juv. still at pool SE of lighthouse at Eshaness.

Barred Warblers x 2, Yellow-browed Warblers x 4 in garden by play area at Hestingott.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Grutness.

Black Redstart at Swinister, Ollaberry. 

EASTERN STONECHAT sp. (probably Siberian) by garden at Netherton Road, Levenwick. 

TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER at Quendale Mill.

Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler at Gulberwick.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Bridge End, Burra.

Little Bunting by picnic bench at Swinister Burn, Yellow-browed Warbler in gardens behind beach at Sandwick.

 

ISLANDS

Barred Warbler in garden by crossroads at Gutcher, Yellow-browed Warbler at plantation by marina at Cullivoe, YELL.

ARCTIC WARBLER north of Springpark Road, Common Rosefinch at Baltasound, Pallid Harrier juv. flew over Valyie, Norwick, Common Rosefinch in roadside cottage garden north of Mailland, Lapland Bunting at Baliasta, UNST. 

Firecrest at Soberlie, ISLE OF FOULA.

Barred Warbler, Little Buntings x 2 at ISLE OF WHALSAY.

Long-eared Owl this evening on OUT SKERRIES. 

 

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

As predicted there was something BIG, something HUMONGOUS!! "Mega" was not big enough! When I saw the message at work I felt sick, SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN in Hugh Harrop's garden at Hillwell!!! I could not believe what I was reading. I wanted to go now. I don't normally get stressed about a rare bird turning up when I'm at work as I always hope I will see it after work and mostly I do. But this bird was on another level, I couldn't not see it. I finish early on a Thursday at 3.23pm, I asked if I could take an hour's TOIL that I have left and I was granted this. Left work at 2.23pm. The Siberian Blue Robin had not been seen since before I even left work and Hugh had closed his garden, but I just hoped and presumed that it would be found again, how wrong I was.

I parked up on a verge between Hugh's house and Quendale Mill. Most birders were now at MEGA Number 2 of the day a TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER at Quendale Mill! You couldn't make up today, you really couldn't. I went straight to stand and peer over Hugh's garden and there were only about five other people here and Ashley Banwell from Norfolk turned up moments after me who was on route to Fair Isle. At this moment I couldn't even think about any other bird other than the Siberian Blue Robin. There was a Yellow-browed Warbler in the garden, a Robin, a Chiffchaff and a Blackbird.

Eventually I tore myself away to walk to Quendale Mill where I had brief views of the Two-barred Greenish Warbler – I would normally have stayed to try and get a photograph, but gave that up when I heard that Hugh was going to do a circuit of his garden and kindly allow birders to stand in his garden again. I rushed back up the road to make sure I was there for this. Long story short, nothing, nothing at all. Hugh did this again half an hour later and then closed his garden for the day. Massive congratulations to Hugh, how excited he must have been this morning – he was telling Roger R and me that initially he thought it was a 'bluetail' and I think it took him a little while to pin it down by the sounds of it. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it reappears tomorrow. I had heard that a Robin was chasing it around a lot, so it could have relocated to another garden close by?!

It was either still in Hugh's garden or had relocated to another garden to escape the Robin. So I decided at this point it would be a good idea to check the nearby gardens at Brake. Andy J and Anne E. ended up joining me. There was one particular very large garden with a paddock in front of it that seemed to be full of bird action with 2 Pied Wagtails, a Robin, Blackbird, Chiffchaff and I found a Yellow-browed Warbler to the side of the garden in a sycamore along a little track. I genuinely thought this track was a track you could walk along, how wrong I was, big mistake. A man drove up on his quad bike and was very angry. I remained calm and polite and apologised when he said this track was his drive and said we will leave now and we did, but he was going on about people being here all day..... looking in people's windows.... yes that what's everyone was doing..... looking through windows to see if a Siberian Blue Robin was perched on people's kitchen tables – silly man, does he really believe that all these birders are here to peer in windows!!! I won't ever walk on that track again now I now it belongs to him, but I will be checking out the same garden again in the morning, it wasn't his garden I was looking in by the way, he lived much further down the track. I'm allowed to walk on a public road and that's where I will be tomorrow. Even if I wasn't a birder and was just walking, I love looking in people's gardens to see what's growing and what flowers are still out etc, I find it fascinating, the hope of seeing birds in gardens as well is an added bonus!

 

I left Brake and returned to Quendale Mill for a last look at dusk for the Two-barred Greenish Warbler and was surprised to find quite a few birders still here – I saw the bird again, but not long enough to photograph plus the light was appalling now. A bat appeared around us and for a short while landed on a wall where several of us photographed it and then flew off again. Bats are not very common here. I returned to my car and went home to Scalloway. Had a sandwich and a scone which I had purchased from work at lunchtime in preparation for this evening. Its been a long day.

Bat species at Quendale Mill

 

 

What a day to be out birding in Shetland for those not at work. So many birds were seen and the crazy thing is that because everyone went to see the Siberian Blue Robin, hardly anyone was looking anywhere else! Just think about how many megas that were blown in yesterday haven't been found yet!! I feel that tomorrow will continue to produce more big birds. At least I now have three days off! Phew!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Barred Warbler at large quarry, Sooty Shearwaters x 3 from The Lookout at Sumburgh Head. 

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler still in garden at Sumburgh Hotel.

Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 in garden at Toab.

Pied Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler in Sunken Garden by Lovers Lane, Yellow-browed Warbler in garden along Ladysmith Road at Scalloway.

Firecrest in large garden on north side of south road, Yellow-browed Warbler in 2nd garden on south road at Wester Quarff.

Red-breasted Flycatcher still at Da Lodge, Lower Voe.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Mid Dale, NW of Walls.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Orca Inn, Hoswick.  

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Wadbister, SSE of Girlsta.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Lunning, NE of Vidlin.

Glossy Ibis again, Lapland Bunting on rocky ground, south of lighthouse at Eshaness.  

Yellow-browed Warbler at Sandness.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Barred Warbler at Pool of Virkie.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Orbister.

 

ISLANDS

Buff-breasted Sandpipers x 2 in field north of road at Clivocast, Common Rosefinch at Skaw, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch at Baltasound, UNST.

Yellow-browed Warbler at plantation by marina at Cullivoe, YELL.

Red-necked Grebe at Loch of Funzie, FETLAR.

Barred Warblers x 2, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 on ISLE OF WHALSAY.

Little Buntings x 2, one at Bruray + one at Housay bird crop on OUT SKERRIES.

 

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

Atrocious weather here today – the sea was rolling and crashing onto the rocks from the hospital windows. When I opened the door to leave the hospital this evening, I was nearly blown over, not joking! I had to get to the post office before 5pm so after returning a parcel, I looked around Scalloway for birds in pouring rain. I left the camera in the car, not worth getting it wet. In the Sunken Garden by Lovers Lane I found a Chiffchaff skulking in the lower parts of a sycamore and a Merlin perched up and being mobbed by a Hooded Crow, no sign of the birds found in there earlier (see list above), but this garden is massive and impossible to see even a small part of it, so there could have been tons of stuff in there and you would never see it on a still day, never mind in these conditions. Drove around to some of the gardens with good habitat and did lots of short walks to try and find something in awful conditions. I got soaked but wasn't too bothered. There is a large detached house with an equally large square walled garden which you can see into via the front gate that used to be the doctor's surgery I was told – its between Sycamore Avenue and Harley Street and always looks exciting for finding migrants. Didn't find anything else in fading light aside from a few Starlings, but when I returned home I instantly heard a Yellow-browed Warbler calling a few times in Jimmy's much larger garden, next door to me – I couldn't see it though, after much peering over the wall from the Gallow Hill side – I think it was in a large fuchsia bush. The Shetland ponies on the hill didn't look overly impressed with the conditions. There was so many deep piles of sycamore leaves blown into my driveway, will have to sweep them up on a still and non birdy day, so will probably get done in late October!

I don't think my long work coat will be dry by the morning. Tomorrow's the big day then!!! I love seeing all the birders being added to the WhatsApp groups as they arrive on Shetland – there are several big names here now, including a good number from Norfolk. With all these elite birders here I will be shocked if nothing mega isn't found tomorrow in much calmer conditions and sunshine, good luck to you all – see you after work! If there isn't anything major when I finish work I have decided to search Scalloway for a Black-and-white Warbler, how cool would that be! First one here in Shetland was in October 1936 found dead at Vatster, Tingwall and after that was in May 2020 at Aithsetter, Cunningsburgh for one day only.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still on pool east of lighthouse, Glossy Ibis still on flood at Eshaness.

Red-breasted Flycatcher in small geo below RSPB staff car park at Sumburgh Head.

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Sumburgh Hotel. 

King Eider ad. fem off Twagoes Road, Common Rosefinch with Redpolls at Upper Burn of Sound, Yellow-browed Warbler at Helendale House, Yellow-browed Warbler at Seafield, Lerwick.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Geosetter.  

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler at Da Lodge, Lower Voe.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Vidlin. 

Barred Warbler in scyamores at north end, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Levenwick.

Little Bunting at top of burn at Quendale.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Middleton, Maywick.

Yellow-browed Warbler in plantation near Strand Loch, Tingwall.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Orca Inn, Hoswick.   

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Easter Quarff.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Swinister Burn, Yellow-browed Warbler at Brakefield Road, Sandwick.

Little Bunting briefly by parking area at far end, Muckle Roe.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Leean Plantation, Mid Walls.

LANCEOLATED WARBLER at Aswick (elusive), South Nesting.

Western Bonelli's Warbler in garden at Eswick.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Hamnavoe, NNE of Lunna.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still at wet field, Fleck.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Channerwick.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Garth, NEE of Sandness.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Voe of Scatsta, Scatsta. 

 

ISLANDS

Pallid Harrier juv. male flew east over Lund, Yellow-browed Warbler at Setters Hill Estate, Common Rosefinch near school, Baltasound, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Valyie, Norwick, UNST.

Arctic Warbler, Pallid Harrier, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Little Bunting, Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Quails x 2 on OUT SKERRIES.

Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Gunnista Road, Yellow-browed Warbler at in bushes along the edge of Uphouse Road, ISLE OF BRESSAY.

Barred Warbler still in plantation at Skaw, ISLE OF WHALSAY

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at cemetery, WEST YELL.

 

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

EYEBROWED THRUSH – FAIR ISLE 

As expected there was a huge amount of bird news being posted whilst I was at work today. As I left this evening I couldn't decide which way to go – best birds were a Western Bonelli's Warbler and a Lanceolated Warbler (which I have never seen). There had been no news on the Lancie since the initial sighting at 2.27pm, so I asked on the WhatsApp group if anyone had seen it and they had, but long story short it sounded extremely elusive and there are questions (apparently) about the ID - maybe any further pictures will confirm things. Very strong south easterly 50mph winds all day.

I checked Helendale Terrace quickly before I headed to South Nesting and found nothing. Started to head to South Nesting for the Lancie and sighed when I ended up in a long queue at the traffic lights out of Lerwick – as I slowly progressed along the road I realised I wasn't going to get to South Nesting and find the exact location before the light went. Someone had kindly added a pin to their post, but I had no signal to open the pin – the phone signal is shockingly bad in Lerwick (I'm Vodafone). Postcodes work best for birds as you can put this quickly into your Sat Nav and you are away promptly. Having to get paper OS maps out of the car and try and work out where something is, when you are the only person in the car, slows you down considerably and with fading light too its not a good situation. I realised that the best thing to do was to change plans and trying find my own birds close by, so I didn't waste any of the daylight that I had left. I wasn't too bothered, its going to take a very big bird to overshadow my Blue-cheeked Bee-eater on North Ronaldsay – maybe something like a male Siberian Blue Robin or my dream – a Black-and-white Warbler?!!! There are a few weeks to go here yet!

Checked out Njugalswater Burn at Bridge of Fitch which was not sheltered in the slightest so probably no birds here and this was the case. Returned to the Siberian Thrush trees at Tingwall and searched the garden areas and tracks and got excited when a bird flew up from a driveway, which I quickly found perched on a fence wire – a Meadow Pipit which should have been an OBP. From this point it was car birding and I drove around some of the spectacular gardens situated high up the hill with lots of pines/trees and habitat at East Voe – too late in the day, nothing apart from a Blackbird and one LBJ that flew from one bush to a large dense hedge. So headed home, it was dark and that's was the end of my spectacular birding evening! 😂 So many pictures to process and post.... 😏

The hardcore amongst you will be out tomorrow in dire conditions of 56mph + winds and rain from 10am all day. More birds will be discovered on Thursday when there is minimal rain, a moderate breeze and sunny nearly all day – whatever mega bird you find on Thursday, please keep with it until I arrive after my early finish at 3.23pm precisely PLEASE?! Good luck and enjoy tomorrow for those of you visiting and local birders who are able to get out and find the big one! 👍 🔥

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Citrine Wagtail still at Burn of Quendale at south end of farm buildings at Quendale Mill.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still on pool east of lighthouse, Lapland Buntings x 2 south of lighthouse, Glossy Ibis again at Eshaness.

Quail singing at Isbister, Yellow-browed Warbler in irises at Sand Voe, north of North Roe.

Yellow-browed Warbler in gardens south of shop at Walls.

Common Rosefinch at Lunna Kirk, Yellow-browed Warbler at Lunna Ness, Hamnavoe, Lunna.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper in grass field with pools at Fleck.

King Eider ad. fem off Twagoes Road, Lerwick.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Geosetter. 

Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Levenwick.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper in field at Effirth.

 

ISLANDS

Pallid Harrier juv. male still at Houlland & at Baliasta, Yellow-browed Warbler at Baltasound, Buff-breasted Sandpipers x 2 (all juvs.) at Lund, Yellow-browed Warbler at Halligarth, Baltasound, Unst.

Little Bunting in plantation at Skaw, Isle of Whalsay.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Gorie, Isle of Bressay.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Burravoe, Isle of Yell.

 

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

After work I went to have a quick search of Helendale Terrace in Lerwick for any migrants – as I parked up at Clickimin Loch, visiting birders Robert & Sue had re-found the Kingfisher sitting distantly on a rock which was lovely to see and thank you, but a bit too far away for photography. Had a lovely chat with some visiting birders and then headed to Scalloway. Diverted to Tingwall to check out the Siberian Thrush garden and surrounding trees, nothing found apart from a couple of Collared Doves and 1 Blackbird.

Returned home to find most of my bird feeders were empty – busy birds whilst I have been at work! Cooked tea and felt unusually exhausted and too tired to do any more door waxing which I need to finish. South east winds from 3am tomorrow along with sunny intervals and no rain all day! The heavy rain forecast on Wednesday has been updated to light rain showers along with 55mph east winds. It could be very exciting for everyone over the next few days.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Citrine Wagtail still on stream behind farm buildings at Quendale Mill. 

King Eider ad. fem off Twagoes Road, Lerwick.  

Barred Warbler on wall by access road, Sooty Shearwaters x 117 from The Lookout at Sumburgh Head. 

Quail singing at Isbister, North Roe.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still east of lighthouse, Lapland Bunting by small pool at lighthouse, Eshaness.

Sooty Shearwaters x 6 off Ocraquoy.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Da Gairdins, Sand.

Olive-backed Pipit feeding in 'Rubythroat drive' at 2.18pm (elusive & not seen again after 2.51pm) at Levenwick.

 

ISLANDS

Buff-breasted Sandpipers x 4 (all juvs.) at Lund, Yellow-browed Warbler at Uyeasound, Unst.

Barred Warbler at Skaw, Isle of Whalsay. 

Yellow-browed Warbler, Quails x 2 on Out Skerries.

 

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

With raging 50mph winds and rain all afternoon, there was bound to be birds dropping in – visiting birder Will Walmsley found bird of the day, an Olive-backed Pipit in Levenwick, which was elusive and not seen again. I had a huge count of at least a 100+ House Sparrows in my garden along with Starlings and Collared Doves, but didn't see the Leucistic House Sparrow today. Topped up the bird feeders and changed the drinking baths.

I didn't fancy joining the crowds so went to find my own birds. Checked out lots of areas in Scalloway, went to the boathouse at Tingwall to see if the American Black Tern was still around, but no sign of it. 4 Ruff feeding on the newly mowed grass along the road just south of the boathouse. Checked some garden areas close by – gardens I'm going to be keeping an eye on over the next few weeks. Parked up and checked the willows and garden where the Siberian Thrush was last year – under the canopy of the huge sycamore there were several birds feeding amongst the leaf litter, which really should have been far more exciting, but only found House Sparrows and two Blackbirds.

Drove around Uradale Farm on the outskirts of Scalloway, which always looks insanely exciting for birds, but never found anything major yet – some Greylag Geese and a couple of Curlew seen here. Headed to the large, long copse at Trondra and best I could find here were a couple of Wood Pigeons in the tall pines. I was hoping for a Nutcracker at the very least, oh well. Lots of Hooded Crows here and one Raven seen. Continued to East Burra where I didn't find anything else at all.

Returned home and continued waxing my pine doors with wire wool and Briwax "Rustic Pine" – a messy, smelly job, but its been on my jobs to do list since I bought the house. The fumes are horrible and I really should have done this earlier in the year when the weather was nice. Back to work tomorrow. Booked the wrong week off really, but I have got loads of jobs done that needed doing. I could have gone to see some of the birds that have been found, but seen them all before and yes always good to see again, but having to be careful with my petrol usage now its gone up so much. I'm going to change what I do next year completely – I'm not going to book any weeks in September and will ask for a special request of the first three weeks in October.

Birders who have just arrived, have hit it just right as on Tuesday its south east all day long and then at 11pm it continues with 44mph winds and heavy rain all the way through Wednesday and up to 55mph winds. Thursday is sunny and almost no wind, so that's when big birds will be found, lets hope I can get to them after work before the sun sets at around 6.45pm. Thursday is my favourite work day for birding as I finish at 3.23pm!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

King Eider ad. fem, Surf Scoter drk off Twagoes Road, Lerwick.   

Citrine Wagtail still, just SSE of farmyard along burn at Quendale Mill. 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still near pool of end of power lines by car park, Lapland Bunting by small pool at lighthouse, Eshaness.  

Buff-breasted Sandpiper south of Fleck. 

Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at south end of East Burra.

Leatherback Turtle moved south, close in past Sumburgh Head Car Park.

Yellow-browed Warbler at South-heog, Queyfirth, Collafirth.

Pied Flycatcher at Geosetter.

 

ISLANDS

Buff-breasted Sandpipers x 3 at Lund, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 in garden at Uyeasound, Yellow-browed Warbler at Rockfield, Haroldswick, Unst.

Yellow-browed Warbler on Out Skerries.

 

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

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Citrine Wagtail still, just SSE of farmyard at Quendale Mill. 

Sooty Shearwaters x 2 from the The Lookout at Sumburgh Head.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Fleck.

King Eider ad. fem off Twagoes Road, Lerwick.     

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still near pool of end of power lines by car park at Eshaness. 

Pied Flycatcher at Michaelswood, Aith.

Pied Flycatcher at Geosetter.

 

ISLANDS

Buff-breasted Sandpipers x 2 at Lund, Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Uyeasound, Pallid Harrier juv. briefly, Pied Flycatcher at Houlland, Yellow-browed Warbler at Haroldswick, Unst.

Yellow-browed Warbler on Out Skerries.

Yellow-browed Warbler, Nightingale trapped & ringed at Gorie, Isle of Bressay.

 

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

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

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News

MAINLAND

Baird's Sandpiper still at Dalsetter, Boddam.

American Black Tern still at Tingwall Loch.

King Eider ad. fem off Twagoes Road, Lerwick.    

Buff-breasted Sandpiper still near lighthouse at Eshaness.

Glossy Ibis flew high north over Braewick Cafe, NE of Eshaness.

Lapland Bunting flew over Exnaboe.

Citrine Wagtail in farmyard at Quendale Mill.

 

ISLANDS

Pallid Harrier juv. at Houlland, Buff-breasted Sandpipers x 2 near Easting at Sandwick, Unst.

 

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

Late yesterday I went to try and see the Western Bonelli's Warbler at Glover Lodges and failed, which was nobody's fault but my own, which I regret very much indeed – sadly not seen there this morning either. Started today checking for birds in Scalloway. Walked to the end of my road and chatted with Marcus L. who has just moved back here permanently (long story) along with his wife – they live a couple of houses away from me and moved here from Norfolk originally. One of my lovely neighbours Gwen was doing some gardening. In the burn along the road I could only find House Sparrows and a couple of Blackbirds. Checked out the Sunken Garden next to Lover's Lane and found nothing.

AMERICAN BLACK TERN
Tingwall Loch

 

Went to Tingwall Loch for another look at the American Black Tern by the boathouse. So lovely to bump in to Dave and Jacquie Bridges and their friend Graham from Norfolk who arrived here last night for their yearly visit for a few weeks. Also Dave Fairhurst here, Anne and a few other birders. It was glorious sunshine this morning and the ABT was showing fabulously and put on a very close display in front of us for a while! Managed to get slightly better shots than my last visit, but for some reason I'm not mastering flight photography since I had this camera. I was fine with my Canon 7D Mark II and 300mm prime lens. I really need to get the bottom of this – I can't seem to get on with the animal tracker mode either. Anyway, after this I had to return home as I received a call from Robertsons (electrical goods shop) in Lerwick to come and look at my 'frost free' freezer I purchased from them last September which doesn't seem to be frost free! This took an hour out of my plans. My receipt says frost free but the electrician didn't think it was and said he would discuss with the manager etc and they would get back to me. I reported this issue to them yesterday when I was in the shop to look at a new oven and cooker hood. I have only used my airfryer and the hob since I have lived here as the oven didn't look in a good state and when I fully investigated the cooker hood I was horrified with the poor state it was in behind the metal cover – I won't go into the gory details but it needs to go the dump.

Left the house again and went to Gulberwick. Parked up by the kirk and walked along the track to Wick House and the Burn of Wick – found nothing at all. Left here and headed south when news of a Citrine Wagtail came up on the pager that Roger R. had found at Quendale which "came up from the burn just below the road". When I arrived there were no other birders there at all. Spent a while searching and then walked along the burn towards the dam and back again. Chatted to a couple of birders who turned up and we couldn't find it. More birders turned up and a young man called James refound it along the road past the barns and viewed very distantly by farm machinery. I only saw it once and the 50mph winds were now in full force and I didn't even get a rubbish shot, but glad I saw it. A huge Heatherlea tour group turned up and I think several of them got to see it through a scope, but it wasn't good viewing conditions at all.

Returned to my car and went to Grutness so I could use the loo – two notices on the door saying the toilet was out of action – great! The vast area of concrete here looks so depressing. Its not fully clear where you are supposed to leave your car if you were heading across to Fair Isle, but I suppose the ferry crew would let you know. Checked out the Grutness garden in the now gloom, fading light and light rain – only found House Sparrows. Returned home. Robertsons are coming out at 9am to look at my old cooker hood to give me a quote for a new one, but I have my sandwiches etc done for the day, so I can go straight out after that. The weather looks much nicer tomorrow and no strong winds forecast. 

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MAINLAND

Buff-breasted Sandpiper on pool by end of power lines near carpark, Lapland Bunting south of lighthouse at Eshaness.

Baird's Sandpiper still at Dalsetter, Boddam.  

American Black Tern still at Tingwall Loch.

Western Bonelli's Warbler at Glover Lodges, Ocraquoy.

Spotted Sandpiper at Voxter House Burn then flew west, Voxter.

Yellow-browed Warbler trapped & ringed at Scousburgh.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Ronas Voe, Ronas Hill.

Citrine Wagtail 1w. half way along beach at 4.05pm, Grutness.

White-beaked Dolphins x 100+ this morning off Sumburgh Head. 

 

ISLANDS

Barred Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.

 

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

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King Eider ad. fem still in harbour off Victoria Pier car park, Lerwick. 

American Black Tern still at Tingwall Loch. 

Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater seen from The Lookout, Sumburgh Head.

Glossy Ibis still, Buff-breasted Sandpiper on pool by end of power lines near carpark at Eshaness.  

Baird's Sandpiper at northern loch, Dalsetter, Boddam.

Slavonian Grebe at Loch of Spiggie.

 

ISLANDS

American Golden Plover on ridge of Hill of Clibberswick, Barred Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.

 

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

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American Black Tern still from boathouse at Tingwall Loch. 

Lapland Bunting flew over Hillwell.

Glossy Ibis still on pool by B9078 1.5 miles east of lighthouse, Buff-breasted Sandpiper on pool by end of power lines near carpark at Eshaness. 

King Eider ad. fem SE of Victoria Pier car park, Lerwick.

 

ISLANDS

Barred Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.

 

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

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King Eider ad. fem in harbour off Victoria Pier car park, Yellow-browed Warbler at Seafield, Lerwick. 

American Black Tern still from boathouse at Tingwall Loch.

Glossy Ibis still on pool by B9078 1.5 miles east of lighthouse, Buff-breasted Sandpiper on grass 50yds east of lighthouse at Eshaness. 

Pallid Harrier juv. near Loch of Brindister, SSW of Gulberwick.

 

ISLANDS

Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Isle of Foula.

Common Rosefinch at Hillend, Mid Yell, Yell. 

Barred Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Black Redstart at Valsgarth, Unst.

 

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

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King Eider ad. fem off North Ness Business Park, Lerwick. 

American Black Tern still from boathouse at Tingwall Loch.

Sooty Shearwaters x 4 from The Lookout, Sumburgh Head.

Glossy Ibis on flood by lighthouse at Eshaness.

Storm Petrol flew past Mousa Sound.

Curlew Sandpiper at Scatness.

 

ISLANDS

Barred Warbler at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.

 

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

 

Leucistic House Sparrow with others, 1 Siskin, Starlings, 9 Collared Doves and a very daring and cheeky couple of Hooded Crows at my bird feeders. A mixed day of heavy rain, sunshine and increasingly stronger south westerly winds. Finally got round to finishing my photography curtain, which included added grommets with my Grommet Tool Kit that I bought in the Spring and lots of hand sewing – this allows me to open the top half of the front stable door and photograph any birds at the feeders.

 

Petrol is seriously expensive here now: current fuel prices average around 171.8p per litre for unleaded petrol and up to 199.8p per litre for diesel, so if you are about to arrive on Shetland, fill up to the max before you get the ferry over! It cost me £37.01 to fill up exactly half a tank in my Skoda estate a few days ago, never paid that much before.

 

Continuing to chat about Nutcrackers, I dug out my Austrian hand-written diary to look up the date I saw my only sightings of Nutcrackers. Prior to owning any kind of laptop or iMac I used to write holiday diaries in A5 spiral bound hardback books, which I illustrated with postcards and pictures cut from travel brochures and printed out the headings etc from whichever print job I used to be in. I have one for every holiday I went on in the past, which is not that many really, Austria x 2, Corfu x 2, Portugal x 2, Paris, Wales x 2, Scotland x 2, Fair Isle x 2 (3rd & 4th trip on my blog).

Anyway, Austria 13th June- 27th June 1990 with my then partner Keith (we married in 1992), we stayed at the "Hotel Post" in Heiligenblut, a fairy-tale village nestling beneath Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner – the most magnificent scenery and loads of birds and wildlife. I had forgotten some of the incredible birds we had seen there which included 2 Nutcrackers together. Here is an excerpt from 24th June: "...... as we turned the corner just past a house and stream, we saw the BIRD of our holiday, a NUTCRACKER. At first Keith and I thought it was a Jay, we then picked it up in our bins in flight and could see it was unmistakably a Nutcracker, which then landed on the top of a larch tree where he shook and ruffled his feathers. I got very excited when I realised what it was and so close as well! Then as the Nutcracker took off a second bird joined it and both flew off into the trees together!" Other birds seen on the trip included Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Pale Crag Martin, Alpine Accentor, Bonelli's Warbler, Black-throated Thrush, Golden Oriole, male Pine Grosbeak (right in front of us on a branch!), Alpine Chough and lots more!

 

Very sadly I only had a Kodak instamatic film camera in those days! My very first SLR camera was one my father gave me (old one of his) a Canon EOS 300mm film camera which I used for the first time on my first trip to Fair Isle in June 2005. I would love to return to Heiligenblut again one day, that would be so good. I loved Austria so much that I went again with my sister Vivien and we stayed at "The Waldrand", Scheffau in September 1997. Happy times!

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MAINLAND

Great Shearwater flew past Sumburgh Head.

American Black Tern still at Tingwall Loch.

Yellow-browed Warbler in thistles opposite burn at Geosetter.

Common Rosefinch at Hillwell.

Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.

Nutcracker (possible) reported in garden then flew towards Henderson's Garage  + no further sign at Scousburgh.

 

ISLANDS

Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Isle of Foula.

Common Rosefinches x 2 at Valyie, Norwick, Unst.

 

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

I needed a day of rest and doing nothing much at all and that's exactly what I did. Siskin on my bird feeders along with House Sparrows and Starlings. No Nutcracker in my garden yet! See pictures I have added to yesterday's post.

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

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp

 

Thanks to the RBA Team for using my Blackpoll Warbler photo taken on 17th October 2025 in their round up. 

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MAINLAND

King Eider ad. fem off North Ness, Lerwick.

 

ISLANDS

King Eider at Djubawick, off Hascosay Sound. 

 

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

Andy Johnson found a male Kingfisher (scarce bird here) at Clickimin Loch in Lerwick today. In a very small window of dry weather after work, I cleaned and disinfected all my bird feeders and hung them up in the shed to dry. I haven't filled them for ages, which means it must have been costing my neighbour Jimmy a small fortune to feed the birds. I then got the hosepipe out to wash down all my plant pots etc that were blasted with crap after my pressure washing last night. That's the garden finished.

 

Birder Paul Harvey highlighted on our WhatsApp group that there are sightings of Nutcracker in Norway currently and suggested we keep a look out – I've never seen one in the UK, I saw one in Austria, many many years ago. It would be fabulous to see one here, fingers crossed. I will make sure I get the nut feeder up tomorrow! Somewhere in my father's photographic collection (in a box somewhere in my office) is a photo of a Nutcracker in his hand at Holme, so looking back at the records on RBA it must have been either 11th or 12th August 1968 – I was aged 3 and have no recollection, but may have seen it 😉😀 I see there was one in Lerwick, on 21st to 23rd August 1968 – the year of the Nutcracker invasion.

 

I dug out the following from father's diaries: 

My father's written entry into his notebook

11th August 1968 at Holme Bird Observatory

Note: 'The Firs' was where we lived and this was Holme Bird Observatory, until the Norfolk Naturalist's Trust (now called Norfolk Wildlife Trust) purchased the house. Very few people left alive from those days that would know this.

 

Entry in the NOA report for 1968

RAR drawing on front cover 

 

I'm now on annual leave for a week, which I'm very pleased about as its been really busy at work over the last few weeks. I have several jobs to get done intermingled with birding – jobs I want to get done before the more serious Autumn birding in my two weeks off in October. At the Egyptian Nightjar, Roger Riddington said "its all down hill from here", but is it? I think we will get some mega surprises and at least a first for Britain, that's my prediction!

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MAINLAND

Icterine Warbler at Toab.

AMERICAN BLACK TERN still from boathouse at Tingwall Loch.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Geosetter.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 in garden, Law Lane, Lerwick.

Common Rosefinch in garden just south of Scalloway Caravan Park, just west of Asta.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Hillwell.

 

ISLANDS

Yellow-browed Warbler at Brough Lodge, Fetlar.

Yellow-browed Warblers x 5 on Isle of Whalsay.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Norwick, Unst. 

 

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

After work this evening I pressure washed all the paths, concrete, patio and steps this evening – I had to put my head torch on to finish the job. Its my least favourite job, but had to be done,  otherwise the concrete would be like a skating rink once Winter hits – I should have done it in the Spring too, but never got round to it. I was soaked from head to toe when I finally finished. Straight in the shower. Glad I got it done as it is forecast to rain every single day for quite a while.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

PETE SNOOK!

 

🎊 🎉 🍹 🎂 😊 😘 🤗 

 

Best Wishes Penny xx

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MAINLAND

Baird's Sandpiper still, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Dalsetter, Boddam.

AMERICAN BLACK TERN still from boathouse at Tingwall Loch. 

Sooty Shearwater from boat off Sumburgh Head.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Sumburgh Head. 

Yellow-browed Warbler at Grutness.

Yellow-browed Warbler at Quendale.

Common Rosefinch in garden at Hillwell.

Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.

 

ISLANDS

Yellow-browed Warbler on Isle of Bressay

 

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

Raining all day again. After work I tried to find my own YBW locally and checked out Burn of Njugalswater at Bridge of Fitch, but not a single bird seen there or in the large sunken garden in Scalloway. Parked up in my driveway to discover some selfish git allowed their dog to crap right in front of my large wooden rubbish box on the small concrete area, right where you have to stand to lift the lid up to put the rubbish in. I had no choice but to clear it up and bleach the concrete, absolutely disgusting. If you can't be bothered to clear up after your dog, then you shouldn't have one.

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MAINLAND

Baird's Sandpiper still at Dalsetter, Boddam.

Curlew Sandpiper at Boddam. 

AMERICAN BLACK TERN still at Tingwall Loch.

Sooty Shearwaters x 2 past The Lookout at Sumburgh Head.

Pallid Harrier at Hillwell.

Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Law Lane, Lerwick.

 

ISLANDS

Common Rosefinch, Yellow-browed Warbler at Valyie, Common Rosefinches x 2 at Halligarth ENE of Baltasound, Common Rosefinches x 3 at Norwick, Unst. 

Yellow-browed Warbler on Isle of Mousa.

 

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

I was up so early this morning, I managed to go and have a quick look at the American Black Tern at Tingwall Loch before work – it was fairly distant and flying across the loch in the 10 minutes I had to watch it. Also watching the ABT were Robert C. and his wife, who had just arrived on Shetland this morning for their annual Autumn trip – lovely to see you both!

Yesterday I spent the entire day getting the garden sorted, pruned, weeded, swept up and cut and strimmed the grass so I don't have to do any gardening in my forthcoming week off. I'm now hoping for a sunny evening (0% chance of that looking at the weatherforcast) so I can do the last outside job of pressure washing all the concrete. Its been raining ALL day and night here. The first YBW's have arrived here today! After work I did a Tesco shop and then in the pouring rain walked along Helendale Terrace to see if I could find a YBW, not worth getting soaked for as didn't find a single bird.