The most exhilarating match I've ever watched!!!
England's game was phenomenal!
MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO ENGLAND!
Through to the quarter finals against Norway!
🏆
Monday, 6 July 2026
England 3, Mexico 2!!!!!!!!
Sunday, 5 July 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Bonaparte's Gull 1s still on airfield at Scatsta.
ISLANDS
Quail on Isle of Foula.
Saturday, 4 July 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.
Bonaparte's Gull 1s still on airfield at Scatsta.
ISLANDS
Ruddy Shelduck juv. on small lochan, below Houll by Loch of Funzie, Isle of Fetlar.
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!
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Friday 3rd July
Rare Bird Alert News
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.
Thursday, 2 July 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Bonaparte's Gull 1s still at airfield, Scatsta.
Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.
ISLANDS
No news.
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.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Wednesday 2nd July
Rare Bird Alert News
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.
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!
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
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.
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!
Monday, 29 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
No news.
ISLANDS
No news.
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!
Sunday, 28 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Trumpeter Finch, Blakeney Point, Norfolk – 3rd June 2008
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.
TRUMPETER FINCH found at Kirn o'Scroo, Fair Isle by
Luke Marriner – see pictures HERE.
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!
Digiscoped with my Nikon ED50 Scope
Saturday, 27 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Quail at Burn of Setter, NNE of Sandwick.
ISLANDS
Quail at Voehead, Isle of Bressay.
Friday, 26 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
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.
Thursday, 25 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
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.
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.
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!
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Got up very late and now starting to feel a lot better overall. Planning to return to work in morning, but will see how I feel when I wake up.
Icterine Warbler still, singing at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick.
Quail singing behind Tingwall Airport.
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta.
Quail singing at Loch of Brow.
Quail singing at South Nesting.
ISLANDS
Quail singing north of Uphouse Road, Quails x 3 singing at Gunnista Road, Isle of Bressay.
Quail singing on Isle of Mousa.
Greenish Warbler at Ham, Isle of Foula.
Quail singing at Northdale, Unst.
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Terrible night's sleep through my entire body aching (temperature) and then restless leg syndrome. Finally got to sleep early morning and didn't get up until just before 3pm. 3 Siskins on my feeders today and an partially leucistic House Sparrow.
Icterine Warbler still, singing at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick.
Little Stint, Quail at Pool of Virkie.
Ring-necked Duck drk still at Loch of Asta.
ISLANDS
Quail singing at Northdale, Unst.
Quail at Mail, Isle of Bressay.
Rose-coloured Starling still near horse field at Aith, Quail singing at Everland, Fetlar.
Monday, 22 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
I had full intentions of going to work today, but when I woke up I felt worse than I did on Saturday. I did a Covid test this evening which was negative, but that's how rough I feel. The cold came out properly today.
Icterine Warbler still, singing at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick.
Little Stint, Quail at Pool of Virkie.
Quail singing at South Nesting.
ISLANDS
Quails x 2 on Out Skerries.
Quail at Voeside, Isle of Bressay.
Quail at Norwick, Unst.
Rose-coloured Starling at Aith, Fetlar.
Sunday, 21 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
Another glorious sunny day here, but still feeling poorly, so not left the house. One of the disadvantages of not feeling well and living on your own – garden desperately needs attending to and the grass in the driveway is getting out of hand again, it will all simply have to wait.
Icterine Warbler still, singing at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick.
Quail still at Bakkasetter.
Quail between Sumburgh Farm and Sumburgh Hotel.
Quail from Middle Road, Little Stint at Pool of Virkie.
Quail at South Nesting.
ISLANDS
Rose-coloured Starling at head of Lamb Hoga, Honey Buzzard on west side of Lamb Hoga, Fetlar.
Wood Sandpiper on Isle of Bressay.
Quail singing at Baltasound, Unst.
Quail on Isle of Mousa.
Quail on Isle of Foula.
Saturday, 20 June 2026
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
MAINLAND
A glorious sunny day here, but sadly I woke up with a horrible head cold, which I suspect I caught at the hospital, being as a few patients have the same thing. I wasn't capable of doing anything at all.
Icterine Warbler still, singing at Loch of Clickimin, Lerwick.
Quail still at Bakkasetter.
Paddyfield Warbler in garden (elusive) at Sumburgh Farm
Quail between Sumburgh Farm and Sumburgh Hotel.
Ring-necked Duck still at Loch of Asta.
ISLANDS
Wood Sandpiper at Houbie Mires, Fetlar.
Friday, 19 June 2026
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.
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.
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