Rare Bird Alert News
Iceland Gull at Loch of Spiggie.
Franklin's Gull 2s at Funzie Mires, Fetlar.
Sunday 30 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Saturday 29th June
Rare Bird Alert News
Mealy Redpoll at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Bee-eaters x 3 on Papa Stour.
Nightjars x 2 at Ham Yard, Foula.
Coldplay at Glastonbury – WOW!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0j4x4tr/glastonbury-coldplay
Friday 28 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Marsh Warbler, Nightjar at Ham Yard, Foula.
My wood Eco Hive Composter, Ladder Planter and Window Boxes arrived this morning. Its been raining for most of the day and very windy. I got drenched preparing the spot where I wanted the composter, but good to see it in place. I positioned bricks on the ground, so the composter was not directly on the soil, hopefully it will lengthen its life a little bit.
I watched a Hedgehog running up the driveway this morning and then disappeared onto Gallow Hill to join the sheep! Lots of House Sparrows and young Starlings in my garden today. Gwen (two houses away) very kindly came and had a chat with me and she told me that the gorgeous smelling shrub in my front garden is called "Mock Orange" – delicate little white flowers and highly scented with a gorgeous orange fragrance. I gave her a tour of the house and she told me she and her sister have pictures of my house from her relatives years ago – so looking forward to seeing those one day.
Electricians came this afternoon and fitted my new Arezzo 4 Way Adjustable Ceiling Spotlight Bar Track Lighting in the studio/office and put in three new double sockets. They are coming back to do a bit of filling and then all electrical work in that room is finished. Went to the garden centre just before they closed to pick up some bags of seaweed compost, gravel and plastic sheeting to line the window boxes. Saturday looks atrocious for weather again, Sunday looks better.
Thursday 27 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Quail at Loch of Hillwell.
Dense fog on route to work this morning. Chilly and windy here. Lucy and Vivien both report they are far too hot, even with their fans on. Had a lovely catch up on the phone with Hilary early evening and she said it was 30ºc yesterday and 20ºc today in King's Lynn, Norfolk – I don't miss that awful heat at all.
Wednesday 26 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Quail at Swinister, Sandwick.
Quail at Loch of Hillwell.
Quail at Brough, Whalsay.
Iceland Gull at Laxa Burn, Mid Yell, Yell.
Weather has switched to dull, rainy and windy and for the next few days. I wouldn't be too bothered by this, but I have more plants to get planted up, before I start an entire weekend of decorating – oh well!
Tuesday 25 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Quail at Loch of Hillwell.
Marsh Warbler at Ham Yard, Foula.
Another warm day here. Very tired this evening. The usual parties of House Sparrows, a few Siskins, Starlings, Blackbird, Rock Doves and Collared Doves, but not seen any Robins for a good while now.
Lucy phoned me with more sad news, last week a resident where she lives sadly passed away and then another one four days later on Sunday! Both of them have lived in the same place as Lucy for over 25 years, if not more. Very upsetting for Lucy, other residents and the staff. My most sincere condolences to both their families – Rest in Peace John🕊 and Nick🕊.
Monday 24 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Honey Buzzard at Skaw, Whalsay.
Another glorious day here and quite warm. Lucy reports that's it too hot in Norfolk. Back to work today and good to be back to normality! Fell asleep when I got home, had tea and then did some late gardening when it was cooler. Midges out late evening, so you have to give in and come indoors after being bitten so many times. Put some crushed eggshells around my new annuals this evening, so along with the cinnamon, the slugs will hopefully think again! 🤞
Sunday 23 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Honey Buzzard over Setter, Sandwick.
Quail singing at Loch of Hillwell.
Quail at Loch of Clumlie, north of Boddam.
Honey Buzzard flew over Dalsetter, Yell.
A glorious sunny day here with a light wind. Didn't go anywhere, but did some more gardening. Planted some bedding plants next to the sycamore tree in the driveway and sprinkled cinnamon around them to hopefully stop the slugs! Back to work tomorrow.
Saturday 22 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Quail singing at Sumburgh Farm.
Quail singing at Loch of Hillwell.
Marsh Warbler at Clickimin Loch and at Helendale House, Lerwick.
Honey Buzzard at Maywick.
Quail by Everland Road, Fetlar.
Red-backed Shrike at Foula.
Marsh Warbler at Baltasound, Unst.
Marsh Warbler at Camb, Yell.
I have not left my house since my second GP appointment on Monday or felt like doing anything at all. My GP rang me at 5.40pm on Friday to let me know that my Whooping Cough test had come back negative, but he explained it is a very small window with testing for it – I might have been too late. He said that they can only confirm Whooping Cough within the very first few days. I'm still taking the prescribed antibiotics.
Today I went to Planticrub to buy some green lawn edging and four shrubs. On route, birders Anne and Andy were listening to a Corncrake at Tingwall Loch. On the way back from the garden centre, I stood with them for a while and listened to to the Corncrake somewhere in the irises! I didn't see it though, as is typical. This was my first interaction with other people since last Monday!
This afternoon I created a new border on the lawn in the drive behind my car. It took several hours to complete. The four new shrubs were finally planted and I finished at 10.55pm. I then filled up all my bird feeders. Still light at 11.30pm.
Friday 21 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Hawfinches x 3 at Kergord House, Kergord.
Marsh Warbler at Boddam.
Thursday 20 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Marsh Warbler at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Temminck's Stint at Shoedals, Foula.
Wednesday 19 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
None!
Dreary day here, no sun, chilly, strong winds this evening. Still in quarantine until tomorrow morning and still waiting for results from GP. Chesty cough remains, but better than it was, feel very, very tired.
Tuesday 18 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Marsh Warbler at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Waxwing at Cullivoe, Yell.
Monday 17 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Marsh Warbler at the Virkie Willows, Pool of Virkie.
Quail singing on east side of dunes at Quendale.
Hobby flew over Clevigarth, Exnaboe.
Quail singing at Loch of Hillwell.
Waxwing at Cullivoe, Yell.
Had a second GP appointment today and had tests taken for Whooping Cough. Was given anti-biotics and was told I will get the results from the tests in a couple of days, so in quarantine at home. 😒
Sunday 16 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Blyth's Reed Warbler male singing at the Virkie Willows, Pool of Virkie.
1+ Bee-eater flew north over Swinister Burn, Sandwick.
Have slept all day and not left the house. I can't believe how tired I feel. I phoned Rob to wish him Happy Birthday and Jill suggested I could have Covid – if it was, that would be the third time, I can't believe its that, but with how tired I feel, who knows?!
Saturday 15 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Blyth's Reed Warbler singing x 2, Waxwing at the Virkie Willows, Pool of Virkie.
Hawfinch at Geosetter.
Golden Oriole in valley at Maywick.
Quail singing at Loch of Hillwell.
Mealy Redpoll at Hoswick.
I haven't been very well today, so no news from me. A strange sorethroat I've had for a few weeks has now developed into a severe cough and last night I was coughing so much, I was struggling to breathe at one point. I had a GP appointment on Friday, but no sign of chest infection when I was checked over with stethoscope. The doctor did suggest it could be Whooping cough, but I pointed out that I have been immunised for this as a baby and I have the little card my mother kept that states that, but the doctor pointed out that I could still get it. Hopefully its just a 'normal' cough, but I haven't felt right all day, so no DIY done at all and not left the house.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Friday 14th June
Rare Bird Alert News
None!
Atrocious weather for June, wherever you live! 40mph winds and heavy rain all day long. My plants are getting battered. I drove into Lerwick to get various DIY items I needed, also had a GP appointment and then ended up
popping into Odie's Antique and Collectable Shop, which is always
fascinating to look in and purchased an insanely heavy, life size lamb
statue. It looks brilliant on my front lawn and I have named it Lucy! 😊
After not being able to get hold of my builder Alex since the 27th May, as his phone wasn't working properly, he arrived this morning to finish off the room, which he has insulated, replaced the floor and today put new skirting board on and finished off sanding the filler. There is still more sanding I need to do before I start to paint. Alex also had to remove some of the bottom of the door, now the floor is higher, to allow for the new carpet to fit underneath when its fitted in July. I may have to cancel the carpet fitting though, as the electrician needs to do some work in there beforehand – he was supposed to be here at 9.30am, by 12.30pm I heard nothing, so rang him and he then texted to say he had a family emergency – I hope that whatever has happened, that everyone is ok!
Alex ran out of skirting board (that I had already painted), so he had to go and pick some more up. So now I have to paint rest of skirting board, finish sanding down, fill holes in the skirting boards where they have been attached to the wall and the same with holes in the window frames. Repair a large patch of wallpaper where the storage heater was (that will be huge fun, not), undercoat and paint the room twice, patch up all dirty marks on recently painted ceilings and other two inside walls (that were not insulated) and paint window frames. Then I need three double sockets installed, fit a new four bar light I have purchased. Final stage will be buying and getting fitted a Rointe Belize Radiator, get carpet fitted, order blinds for windows – then put flat packed desks together, buy or get made shelves for back wall and then I can finally move my computer equipment in there and everything else I need to store, such as father's slide and photo collection, mother's nature diaries, the list goes on! Basically this will be an office, storage room and craft room. Weather is going to be rubbish all weekend, so a good time to start this work!
Just found a massive slug crawling on the front stable door mat – how did that get in?!!! 😲😳
Thursday 13 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Icterine Warbler, Marsh Warbler at Sandgarth, north of Voe.
Golden Oriole briefly in garden at Maywick.
Quail singing at Loch of Hillwell.
Marsh Warbler at Swinister Burn, Sandwick.
Iceland Gull at Sumburgh Farm.
Nightjar at Ham, Foula.
White-tailed Eagle at Loch of Lumbister, Yell.
Red-backed Shrike at Valyie, Marsh Warblers x 2 at Baltasound, Unst.
Icterine Warbler at Funzie, Fetlar.
Wednesday 12 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Temminck's Stint at Pool of Virkie.
Black-throated Diver at North Collifirth Bay.
Black-throated Divers x 2 at Brindister Pier, West Burrafirth.
Savi's Warbler at Funzie Willows, Fetlar.
Bluethroat fem. at Muckle Flugga Shore Station, Hermaness, Unst.
Still cold north west winds and not very much like Summer. My sisters said its been the same in Norfolk. Switches to south east tomorrow, so maybe a little warmer! 2 Siskins on my feeders this evening, along with 40+ House Sparrows, Starlings, Collared Dove and Blackbird.
Tuesday 11 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Curlew Sandpiper at Pool of Virkie.
Savi's Warbler, Icterine Warbler at Funzie Willows, Fetlar.
RBA Weekly Round-Up 4th to 10th June!
By Jon Dunn
Thank you to the RBA team for including my male Red-breasted Flycatcher in their round up and also for my Terek Sandpiper photo in their "The coming week" section at the end of the article. This is the only Terek Sandpiper I have ever seen, I won't forgot that day – the light was beautiful and it was a striking bird to watch, here is the link to my post on 20th May 2014.
Monday 10 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Iceland Gull at Sumburgh Farm.
Ring-necked Duck drk at Uyeasound, Unst.
Savi's Warbler, Icterine Warbler at Funzie Willows, Fetlar.
Freezing cold here, feels like Winter and rain on and off all day! Not the weather for gardening jobs. I think we now have the awful weather that Norfolk had last week. I have so many families of House Sparrows in my garden right now, it was a challenge to count them all – there were at least 40 feeding at one time, along with male and female Blackbird, Starlings, Rock Doves and a Collared Dove.
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Sunday 9th June
Rare Bird Alert News
Red-breasted Flycatcher 1s. male singing, Helendale, Lerwick.
Nightjar at Ham, Foula.
Shorelark at Skaw, Unst.
Savi's Warbler at Funzie Willows, Fetlar.
Saturday 8 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Helendale, Lerwick
Rare Bird Alert News
Red-breasted Flycatcher male singing, Helendale, Lerwick.
Savi's Warbler, Icterine Warbler at Funzie Willows, Fetlar.
Ring-necked Duck drk at Dam Loch, Marsh Warbler at Baltasound, Waxwing, Unst.
Red-breasted Flycatcher male
I spent a long time in the rain, waiting for the Red-breasted Flycatcher to appear in the willows by Helendale House. Very elusive and only fleeting views. After everyone left and I was the last one standing, I had more frequent views and managed to get some half decent record shots. From my memory this is the first male RBF I have ever seen!
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Friday 7th June
Rare Bird Alert News
Red-breasted Flycatcher male singing, Honey Buzzard at Helendale, Lerwick.
Icterine Warbler at Burravoe, Brae.
Savi's Warbler at Funzie Willows, Fetlar.
Ring-necked Duck drk at Dam Loch, Unst.
Red-backed Shrike at Northdale, Fetlar.
Thursday 6 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Quail at Longwell, near Cunningsburgh.
Ring-necked Duck drk at Little Holm, Scatness.
Common Rosefinch male, Nightjar at Ham, Foula.
Curlew Sandpiper on Small Waters at Westing, Glaucous Gull at Easter Loch, Uyeasound, Unst.
Savi's Warbler at Funzie Willows, Fetlar.
I
was very sad to hear news yesterday, that Sarah Holmes, an old work
colleague at the Lynn News and who also ended up working at my last
hospital had passed away on Tuesday and only aged 50. Sarah has courageously battled with
cancer for a long time and was a very much
respected, kind, quietly spoken and lovely lady – she shared her ongoing treatment and fight to survive on her Facebook page to help others, which was a very brave
thing to do. Very, very sadly she lost the battle. My
most sincere condolences to her family and friends
– Rest in peace dear Sarah x 🕊
Loads
of House Sparrows as last night, in a feeding frenzie at my
feeders this evening! Also a couple of Siskins, Blackbirds, Starlings,
Rock Doves and a Collared Dove. Another mixed day of rain,
sun, rain, sun and so on! I now have five days off and I'm looking
forward to a break. 😊
Wednesday 5 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Red-backed Shrike in garden at Skeld.
Marsh Warbler singing at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Icterine Warbler at Burravoe, Brae.
Quail at Longwell, near Cunningsburgh.
Glaucous Gull at Cullivoe, Yell.
Curlew Sandpiper on Small Waters at Westing, Unst.
Icterine Warbler at Marrister, Whalsay.
35+ House Sparrows including several juvs., in a feeding frenzie at my feeders this evening! Also a couple of Siskins, Blackbirds, Starlings, Robin and a Collared Dove. A mixed and typical day in Shetland of rain, then sun, rain, sun and so on!
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Tuesday 4th June
Rare Bird Alert News
Marsh Warbler at Sandgarth, Voe.
Red-backed Shrike male at Loch of Clumlie, Boddam.
Icterine Warblers x 2 singing at Burravoe, Brae.
Red-backed Shrike in garden at Skeld.
Melodious Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler at Ham, Foula.
Red-backed Shrike male at Norwick, Curlew Sandpiper on Small Waters at Westing, Unst.
Blyth's Reed Warbler at Funzie, Fetlar.
Monday 3 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Marsh Warbler at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Marsh Warbler at Orca Country Inn, Hoswick.
Icterine Warbler singing at Brae.
Ring-necked Duck on pool at Little Holm, west of Scatness.
Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Hillwell.
Richard's Pipit at Noness, Sandness.
Glaucous Gull at Cullivoe, Yell.
Red-backed Shrike male at Tresta, Fetlar.
Melodious Warbler at Ham, Foula.
White-billed Diver flew past Skolla Wick, Mu Ness, Red-backed Shrike male at Norwick, Unst.
Thrush Nightingale on Isle of Noss.
Another glorious, sunny day here again. After work I popped into Huws Gray to get some gardening stuff, did the Tesco run and returned home. The House Sparrows are getting through the bird seed pretty quickly and thats with the cage on to stop the Starlings – mind you they are getting plenty on the ground from dropped seed. Still waiting for a Turtle Dove, fingers crossed!
Sunday 2 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Hillwell.
Quail at Bakkasetter.
Quail at Baltasound, Unst.
Weather change here, after many days of glorious sunshine, back to rain again, but good for the garden and will save me getting the hosepipe out! Lovely to have a catch up on the phone with our dear family friend Malcolm White from Heacham – he sent me an incredible photo of a Grass Snake swimming in his pond! Had another nice catch up with Eddie M. on the phone too – not spoken to either of them for several weeks! Later I had some visitors – Jill and Rob popped into to see me after their trip to Fetlar – lovely to have a catch up.
Saturday 1 June 2024
SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!
Rare Bird Alert News
Marsh Warbler at Clickimin Loch, Lerwick.
Ring-necked Duck at Loch of Hillwell.
Wood Sandpiper at South Punds, Levenwick.
Marsh Warbler at Sumburgh Head Lighthouse.
Golden Oriole 1s. male at Halligarth, Quail at Baltasound,
Quail at Baltasound, Little Stint at Easting Beach, Unst.
Hobby at Aithness, Fetlar.
BIRD OF THE DAY: MARMORA'S WARBLER STILL ON FAIR ISLE!
1st for Fair Isle and 8th for Britain following one on Unst, 14th May 2018.
1st for Fair Isle and 8th for Britain following one on Unst, 14th May 2018.