Tuesday, 15 October 2024

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Rare  Bird  Alert  News
White-winged Scoter ad. drk. still at Girlsta, Wadbister, north of Laxfirth
Lesser Scaup (probable), Scaup at Loch of Vatster, 2 miles NNE of Tingwall.
Little Bunting in crop field, south of Toab.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at south end of Muckle Roe.
Snow Buntings x 5 at Boddam.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Levenwick.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Ronas Voe.
Long-eared Owl in lower quarry, Sooty Shearwater flew past Sumburgh Head.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Wester Quarff. 
 
Greenish Warbler, Bluethroat at Valyie, Little Bunting at Kirkaton, Norwick, Unst. 
Yellow-browed Warbler at Skaw, Whalsay.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff at Feal Plantation, Fetlar.


Checked out Burn of Njugalswater, SW of Bridge of Fitch (where the Arctic Warbler was) – a few Redwings and heard a Blackbird, that was it. Dropped something off in Lerwick and then headed south to Channerwick. There has been no news either way on the recent Bluethroat on the beach, so decided to have a look for it. It was good to be out and this is the first time I have walked to the actual beach at Channerwick – a really lovely spot and I can see why birds are found here with the scrub, old buildings and the burn trickling down to the beach. I was glad I put my wellies on, as it was quite soggy in places. Lovely to bump into Norfolk birder Mike Edgecombe, who had just popped over to Shetland this morning and had found a LEO at Sumburgh. Mike said he had also searched for the Bluethroat this morning, with no luck either.

Headed further south to see the fabulous Long-eared Owl in the first quarry at Sumburgh – it didn't move an inch all the time I was there and not once did I see his eyes move, he must have been very tired – it was as though he was frozen in time, I hope he survives. Checked out the second quarry and found a Robin, Song Thrush and a Wren. Parked up at Grutness Pier and went to look into the Grutness Garden – nothing found. Cruised home. Lucy moves to her new flat tomorrow – it will be a stressful day for her.

Long-eared Owl
Resting in the first quarry, leading up to Sumburgh Head

1 comment:

  1. It looks fine to me, Penny, in this shot... bright and alert!!
    Wishing your poor sister all the best in her move today!!

    ReplyDelete