SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Quail between Sumburgh Hotel and Sumburgh Farm.

Quail at Middle Road, Virkie.

Quail at Hillwell.

Quail at Burn of Setter, Sandwick.

Quail at Quendale.

Quail at Aith Meadows, Cunningsburgh.

Quail singing at Watsness, south of Dale of Walls.  

King Eider 1w. fem just south of harbour, Lerwick.

 

ISLANDS

No news.

 

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

 

ENGLAND and NORWAY

World Cup Quarter Final!

What a nail biting match that was!

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MAINLAND

King Eider 1w. fem just south of North Harbour entrance, Lerwick.

Quail singing at Watsness, south of Dale of Walls.

Quail at Sandwick. 

 

ISLANDS

Quail singing at Ordale, Unst.

 

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

RBA Weekly Round-Up 3rd to 9th July!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2026_27.aspx?s_id=51665559 

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MAINLAND

No news.

 

ISLANDS

Ruddy Shelduck still on small lochan west of Loch of Funzie, Isle of Fetlar.

 

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

 

I'm glad its the end of my working week without going into details. Tesco shop after work, had tea and now waiting for the France/Morocco quarter final to kick off.

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MAINLAND

Quail singing at Watsness, south of Dale of Walls.

Marsh Warbler singing in garden at Virkie.

 

ISLANDS

Ruddy Shelduck still on small lochan west of Loch of Funzie, Isle of Fetlar.

Quail at Tripwell, Isle of Whalsay.

Ring-billed Gull at Voe of the Mels, Isle of Noss.

 

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

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MAINLAND

No news.

 

ISLANDS

Ruddy Shelduck still on Loch of Funzie, Isle of Fetlar. 

 

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

 

Just got home in time to see the first goal being scored by Egypt. I can't believe Argentina turned that match around after 79 minutes when the score was 2 goals to Egypt and Argentina had none! It was a really shocking but exhilarating game. I actually wanted Egypt to win, they deserved to win. Never seen Messi that emotional before at end of the match, he knew they were close to going out, but somehow the Argentinians battled to get through and scored 3 goals!

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MAINLAND

Bonaparte's Gull 1s still on airfield at Scatsta.

Quails x 2 singing 3.03am at Voxter.

Quail NE of cemetery, NE of Graven, Sullom Voe.

 

ISLANDS

Quail singing east of Voeside, Isle of Bressay. 

 

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

 

I managed an extremely busy day at work by myself quite well for an old bird, considering I watched the England/Mexico match live this morning! I still can't take in how brilliant that match was! Also search Fleur East on Instagram (English singer, songwriter, rapper and presenter for those of you that don't know her) for her insanely brilliant raps she has been creating after each England match! Here's the link to this morning's on Tiktok and England v Congo a few days go here. Spain and Portugal were so slow tonight compared to England and Mexico. Good night! 😴

England 3, Mexico 2!!!!!!!!

The most exhilarating match I've ever watched!!!
England's game was phenomenal!

MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO ENGLAND! 

          

 Through to the quarter finals against Norway!

🏆 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cr5j14eyzm8t 

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MAINLAND

Bonaparte's Gull 1s still on airfield at Scatsta.

ISLANDS

Quail on Isle of Foula.

 

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

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MAINLAND

Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.

Bonaparte's Gull 1s still on airfield at Scatsta.

* Atlantic White-sided Dolphins x 20 off Freester, Vassa Voe, SE of Catfirth.

ISLANDS

Ruddy Shelduck juv. on small lochan, below Houll by Loch of Funzie, Isle of Fetlar.

 

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

The match last night between Argentina and Cape Verde was the most exciting match of the tournament. I really wanted Cape Verde to win – they played like their life depended on it. Raining here all day until the evening, when the sun came out. I have two wash loads of clothes dripping on the washing line, hopefully my uniforms will dry by Monday morning!

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Friday 3rd July

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MAINLAND

Alpine Swift again at Noss of Noup, Isle of Noss.

Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.

Quail singing at Catfirth. 

ISLANDS

Ruddy Shelduck juv. at Loch of Funzie, Isle of Fetlar.

 

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

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MAINLAND

Bonaparte's Gull 1s still at airfield, Scatsta.

Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.

ISLANDS

No news.

 

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

 

50mph winds all afternoon. Went birding straight after work. At Clumlie Loch there were 3 Swallows and a Bonxie and also a few Wheatears. Beautiful light and lots of wild flowers and orchids to be seen. Drove up to Mossy Hill – the aim was to find the Trumpeter Finch that left Fair Isle – as always, beautiful views of St Ninian's Isle. Lots of Wheatears, Oystercatchers, 2 Linnets and Common Terns seen.

 

Went to the Pool of Virkie where Roger R. had found a male Red-necked Phalarope – very distant but gorgeous views of this and also a Curlew Sandpiper seen and a Mediterranean Gull that Hugh H. found whilst I was there. So many birds to here including Redshanks, Ringed Plovers, Dunlins, Turnstones, Black-tailed Godwits, Eiders, Shelduck with young, Black-headed Gulls etc.

 

Back at home I managed to stay up to watch the Portugal vs Croatia match which kicked off at 12am! So pleased Portugal won, what a game! They go on to play Spain on Monday, that will be a fight to the end! England play Mexico at 1am on Monday.

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Wednesday 2nd July

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MAINLAND

Great Shearwaters x 2 from boat at mouth of Dales Voe, north of Lerwick.

Eastern Subalpine Warbler (of form albistriata) from 9th-12th June at Sumburgh head [identified from mtDNA]

ISLANDS

Quail at Burrafirth, Unst.

 

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

 

After a poor start from England, Kane saved the day! It will be a miracle if they make it past the next stage, but miracles do happen! 🤞 England now play Mexico at 1am on Monday – how are you supposed to watch this when you are working Monday morning! Its probably best not to watch it anyway.

 

I made the huge mistake of getting hooked on a film called "Blink Twice", a psychological thriller – I never watch films like this as they screw me up, I will now probably have nightmares after that!

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MAINLAND

Bonaparte's Gull 1s in mowed field by runway at Scatsta.

Quail singing at Bakkasetter. 

ISLANDS

Alpine Swift over clifftops at Noup of Noss, Isle of Noss.

 

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

 

TRUMPETER FINCH still at Kirn o'Scroo, Fair Isle.

 

50+ House Sparrows feeding in my front garden, Collared Doves, Rock Doves and lots of Starlings. I think France will win the World Cup. Serena Williams lost today, but my goodness, what an athlete!

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MAINLAND

No news. 

ISLANDS

No news.

 

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

 

TRUMPETER FINCH still at Kirn o'Scroo, Fair Isle.

 

Strimmed and mowed the grass after work. The novelty of the hand lawnmower I purchased has worn off, think I need to buy an electric lawnmower. I don't generally watch football, but really enjoying the World Cup matches. 50+ House Sparrows feeding in my front garden along with 3 Siskins, Collared Doves and lots of Starlings. Fair Isle is doing so well for birds this Spring, maybe that's where I should be living!

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MAINLAND

Icterine Warbler still at north end of Clickimin Loch, Marsh Warbler by lower wooden bridge of Burn of Sound, Lerwick.

Quail at Loch of Clumlie, north of Boddam. 

ISLANDS

Quail at Northdale Mires, Fetlar.

 

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

 

TRUMPETER FINCH found at Kirn o'Scroo, Fair Isle by
Luke Marriner – see pictures HERE. 

 

Congratulations to Luke, what a find! Here's my write up on Birdforum of the Trumpeter Finch that I saw on Blakeney Point on 3rd June 2008, before I started my blog in 2010. I didn't have a camera then, just digiscoping kit, but managed to get a record shot. I missed the one in June 2010, Cley, Norfolk as I was on Fair Isle! It would be fabulous to see another one, maybe it will end up here!

 Trumpeter Finch, Blakeney Point, Norfolk – 3rd June 2008

Digiscoped with my Nikon ED50 Scope

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MAINLAND

Quail at Burn of Setter, NNE of Sandwick.

ISLANDS

Quail at Voehead, Isle of Bressay.

 

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

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MAINLAND

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

Quail found dead along fence at Kettleness, West Burra.

Common Rosefinch male in fields by croft house at Boddam.

ISLANDS

Honey Buzzard flew SSW, NW of Burravoe, Yell.

 

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

RBA Weekly Round-Up 19th to 25th June!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2026_25.aspx?s_id=770032045 

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Marsh Warbler just upstream of wooden bridge by beach at Ireland Burn. 

Quail still singing at Bakkasetter. 

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

Bonaparte's Gull in mown field by runway at Scatsta.

* Bearded Seal again on Graven Beach (morning only) at Sullom Voe.

ISLANDS

Red-backed Shrike fem. at Everland, Funzie.

Long-tailed Skua from ferry, 3 miles south of Foula. 

 

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

 

Returned to work today. I finally caught up with the singing Icterine Warbler at Clickimin Loch this evening in the rain. Had several brief views but insanely difficult to get a decent photo. Nice to catch up with Andy J. and Brian H. Also Willow Warbler singing, 2 Chiffchaffs seen, a Blackbird and billions of midges. Lots of off lead dogs and crap left on the newly mowed grass verges – such a shame in a very scenic area.

 

Both my sisters are baking in insane heat whilst I turned the heating up here! 😂 12 degrees tonight and raining. 34 degrees forecast tomorrow where Lucy lives in Norfolk!