SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News 

Marsh Warbler at Hoswick Burn.

Marsh Warblers x 2 at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.

Marsh Warbler singing at Old Manse, Cunningsburgh.

Red-backed Shrike male at Wester Quarff.

Icterine Warbler still, Pied Flycatcher fem. at Greenfield Place, Lerwick.

Icterine Warbler, Mealy Redpoll at Bakkasetter.

Icterine Warbler at Scatness.

Red-backed Shrike fem. above Setter Marsh, Loch of Spiggie.

Thrush Nightingale at Moarfield, Cullivoe, Yell.

Red-backed Shrike male at Ham, Bressay.

 

https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings.

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

 

Another DIY day, second coating of painting skirting boards and planning the layout of my new room. It was an expensive mistake to buy two new 6ft office desks from Norwich Office Supplies, which came flat packed and ready for me to put together when I eventually found my forever home – ideally they now need to be 5ft desks, maybe someone clever can cut a foot off them?!

 

New RSPB feeding poles arrived today and interestingly they are a far more sturdy pole at a cheaper price than my previous more expensive one (which they don't sell anymore) – all good, apart from the fact I bought two feeding poles and one pronged base, the old pronged base is fine and not bent, so left it in the ground ready for one of the new feeding poles to go into – you've guessed it, its a difference size, smaller diameter and new pole won't go in! Now I need to send off for another pronged base!

 

Another glorious day here with total blue skies, sunshine and too hot for me. Went to the garden centre and then headed into Lerwick to try and see Andy J's Icterine Warbler and Pied Flycatcher in the large garden at Greenfield Place. I found this quite quickly and what a stunning garden, completed packed with bluebells and bees buzzing and a good number of mature sycamores. This is the first time I have heard an Icterine Warbler singing and not being able to locate it! Extremely frustrating indeed and no sign of the Pied Flycatcher.

 

Joined others on the pier at Lerwick to watch Orcas in the harbour on the Bressay side, so distant, but still amazing to watch. Was chatting to a nice lady, who was here on holiday with her husband and this was the first time she had seen Orcas, she was very happy indeed. Bought a "fish supper" and bumped into Baz Scampion and his wife, who are here on holiday from Norfolk – lovely to see them and have a little catch up. Returned home and did the second coating of painting the skirting boards. Sent Alex (builder) a message about next plans for the room. Back to work tomorrow. Light rain and south easterlies for the next three days, will hopefully bring some good birds and fingers crossed they are still around after I finish work in the evenings!